Electrical safety in your home or business premises is often a hidden danger. Being able to identify whether you have an existing issue like faulty wiring might be crucial in ensuring a safe and secure living environment for you and your family, or your staff.
Faulty wiring may lead to electrical shocks, fires, and damage to expensive appliances. The importance of early detection and a prompt resolution may literally make the difference between life and death.
This article will help you to understand whether you have faulty wiring, and will provide potential troubleshooting options. You should always seek professional assistance when dealing with anything electrical.
Faulty wiring is any kind of electrical wiring that is damaged, defective, or improperly installed, which may potentially result in electrical hazards. Faulty wiring might occur in any building’s electrical system, including outlets, switches, circuit breakers, and wiring connections.
Various factors might contribute to faulty wiring, including age, general wear and tear, incorrect installations, and environmental factors. The potential consequences of neglecting faulty wiring might include electrical fires, electrical shocks, appliance damage, and increased energy consumption.
Faulty wiring may cause a number of issues which are indicated in the following ways:
Flickering or Dimming Lights: If you notice lights dimming or flickering, it may indicate loose connections, overloaded circuits, or faulty wiring. Pay attention to any specific areas affected so your electrician can attend to them.
Tripping Circuit Breakers: Circuit breakers are designed to trip when there is excessive electrical current. If you find your breakers frequently tripping, it might be due to an appliance or it could well be the sign of faulty wiring causing an overload.
Hot Outlets or Switches: Overheating outlets or switches can be indicative of loose connections or damaged wiring. If you notice any heat or discolouration, it is crucial to address it promptly.
Burning Smell or Discolouration: A burning smell or discolouration around outlets, switches, or electrical panels can indicate overheated wires or damaged insulation. Any burning smells or discolouration suggesting overheating requires immediate attention.
Sparking or Electrical Shocks: Electrical sparks or receiving electric shocks when using outlets or switches, is a clear indication of faulty wiring and should not be ignored.
Buzzing or Crackling Sounds: Unusual sounds such as buzzing, crackling, or popping noises coming from outlets or switches usually signify loose connections or faulty wiring. Don’t delay in having them checked by a licensed electrician.
While the above are signs that might indicate faulty wiring is present, there are other circumstances that could be an issue. Keep an eye out for the following:
The short answer is to book an electrician as quickly as possible and explain the urgency.
The next step is to prioritise safety by turning off power to the affected area while you wait for the electrician to attend.
A licensed electrician will assess the situation and provide you with a suitable solution which might include rewiring or replacing damaged wiring sections. They will ensure the safety of your electrical system and therefore your property, family or staff.
For addressing faulty wiring and ensuring electrical safety, Ottmann Electrical Services on the Sunshine Coast is always available.
The Ottmann Electrical team of licensed and experienced electricians is committed to delivering fast and professional electrical services that adhere to Australian standards.
Call us today on 0458 999 017 or send a message by email.
Australians are increasingly worried by the threat of home or business intrusion/burglary and the subsequent emotional and financial impact of a break-in.
Queensland Police cite on their website: "To make your business more secure and less attractive to criminal activity, consider the following:
External night lighting will enable police, security guards or passing people to monitor activities within the premises. A limited amount of internal lighting should also be left on at night. Also, consider installing sensor lighting which is cost effective as it only activates when movement is detected within the zone.
When installing surveillance equipment:
One of the first thing intruders check is a lack of security measures around the property. “Having false or poorly implemented security systems that could be easily disarmed were not counted as a successful deterrent.” This property risk factor was only second to owners leaving doors and windows open!
The most successful deterrents to would be burglars– other than a barking dog, were:
So it is important to be proactive to protect your family, home property and/or business with a professionally installed security system, installed by Ralph Ottmann Electrical, your local Sunshine Coast Licensed Security System Installer Specialist.
With over 10 years experience in both commercial and residential security cameras and system installations, have peace of mind that your loved ones and valued possessions are protected with a system installed by Ralph Ottmann Electrical.
Whether you are upgrading an older security system or installing a new one, we pride ourselves on supplying the most suitable system for your requirements at the most cost-effective price. Remember living near the sea, systems do require ongoing maintenance to operate at peak efficiency.
Ralph Ottmann Electrical guarantee all our workmanship and we only use quality products to make sure you are protected at the time when you need it most. Our team of highly trained technicians are experts in providing sound and trustworthy advice on residential and commercial security cameras and systems as well as keeping up to date with the latest technology.
There are many benefits for homeowners and business owners when they decide to install a security system.
Some of the benefits of using the most up to date cameras, equipment and technology are crystal clear images which can be viewed wherever you have internet access - computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. Being able to have a visual on what's happening when your security cameras and system is activated can help with police response times and catching offenders.
Some reasons our clients install a security system:
Knowing your security system objectives will ensure the best security system solution can be reached. We will discuss with you what you hope to achieve, assess your location/coverage requirements and formulate a security solution based on your budget.
Some factors affecting CCTV type selection are light levels, locations or rooms to be covered, external and internal coverage and angles and distance from camera location.
For advice you can trust, call Ralph at Ralph Ottmann Electrical on 0458 999 017 to discuss your security system requirements for your home or business.
Our Recommended Preferred Products are selected based on quality, reliability, and functionality.
For more information:
https://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/cscp/businessSecurity/Burglary.htm
Keeping energy costs down over the hot Summer months doesn't mean sweltering in the heat.
We are all concerned about rising energy costs and the impact this is having on our household budget. We can make a positive difference to our electricity bill by implementing a few small changes to our choices and routines around the home.
Check out these tips to help you save energy and money in your home.
Choose energy efficient appliances and equipment and use them efficiently. Household appliances and equipment account for about 33% of energy consumption and about 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in the average household.
Living on the Sunshine Coast, most homes have air conditioners. We recommend running your AC at no more than 24 degrees Celsius for thermal comfort in summer. Anything higher could increase your cooling costs by as much as 47%.
Something else to consider - on really hot days, consider use program timers to start your AC before the temperature gets too hot.
It may sound counterproductive, but by switching your air conditioning unit on during the hottest part of the day means it needs to work much harder and takes longer to cool down the home.
Whilst more expensive to buy initially, energy saving light bulbs will save you money in the long run.
Quality LED bulbs consume very low amounts of power, delivering up to 60-70% improvement in energy efficiency per household. They also last 5 to 10 times longer than halogen light bulbs and consume a quarter of the energy to produce the same light output.
90% of the energy used by your Washing Machine will go to heating the water. Using cold or warm water will dramatically reduce your energy costs over time.
You may have heard that hot water is the most effective cleaning temperature to remove stains and germs, and although we are not professional cleaners, the consensus online is that cold water is more than up to the challenge of washing everyday laundry.
Indeed, it was noted that cold water is actually good for certain clothes - protein stains (blood, sweat) can set in when washed in hot water, and hot water may shrink or wrinkle synthetic fabrics.
We are lucky to enjoy on average more than 200 days in Queensland annually, so by utilising curtains or blinds you can reduce the amount of unwanted sunlight heat (estimated up to 30%) entering your house through south and west-facing windows.
This simple action can save you up to 7% on bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. The other two main appliances in our homes that generate heat in the home are dryers and ovens.
Consider alternatives to using dryers or leaving ovens on for unnecessary lengths of time.
Connect Off-Peak Tariff's for pool pumps and electric hot water systems can save you loads in energy and money. **Ask us for more info about Star Rating and kW hour efficiency. You'll be surprised at the difference this can make to your electricity bill.
Turn off fans, air-conditioners, lights and TVs in rooms when they are not in use. Don't leave ovens or dryers on for unnecessary lengths of time - extending energy use when not needed. Take a note of pre-heat times and check dryers periodically when in use - clothes may already be dry.
Dry your clothes naturally on the washing line (we do live in Queensland) instead of in the dryer.
Air conditioning maintenance is not a glamorous job, and often forgotten by homeowners. In fact, research reveals that 41% of homeowners have never cleaned their AC filters! This is important because not regularly cleaning your AC filter can contribute to a significant increase in electricity bills.
A poorly maintained air conditioner needs to work much harder to keep the home cool during the hotter months, particularly after running a reverse cycle air conditioner throughout winter. We don't like to think about it, but over time, a significant volume of dust accumulates on the filter, reduce air flow, and diminishing the performance of the air conditioner. Have your Air-Conditioner cleaned periodically so that it is working to its full potential.
Look around your house and you'll find many appliances: TVs, Computers, Multifunction Printers, microwaves, phone chargers, washing machines, and Blu-Ray players just to name a few.
They all consume energy even when you think you've turned them off when they are on standby. Take a few minutes now to count the number of appliances in your home and office that are on standby 24/7.
Maybe get the kids to help you work it out so that they are engaged and aware too. Although Equipment Energy Efficiency for power consumption is being built into new products, improving overall energy use, we can make a difference in our own power consumption by turning some of these appliances off at the wall.
When you are purchasing new appliances, be sure to choose your fridge and freezer wisely. Make sure it has a good energy consumption rating (see product stickers), and that it is not too big for your needs.
When you get it home, choose the location of your fridge and freezer wisely - don't place your fridge near the oven or in sunlight. Finally, check your seals now and again - they do decay and can eventually need to be replaced.
Ralph Ottmann Electrical is fully qualified to help you with all your electrical needs - home and work. If you would like Ralph to visit your property, to undertake an Energy Audit to see how you can save money, please contact us.
If you have found this list helpful, please share it with your friends and family. With likely increases to energy tariffs never far away, we can all benefit from cheaper electricity bills and at the same time do our bit for our environment.
What exactly is the difference between a surge protector and an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit? You could be forgiven for not knowing what a UPS is, but a UPS could potentially save you thousands of dollars.
Surge protectors provide electrical protection by dissipating any excess power (surges) and preventing it from reaching your connected devices.
Electronic equipment, especially sensitive equipment such as computers, hard drives, modems and tv's are designed to operate within a certain power range. If too much voltage reaches a device, it can permanently damage or destroy it.
A surge protector can be thought of as providing protection from excessive levels of electricity only.
A UPS also provides protection against surges, but includes a built-in battery with varying capacity based on the model. The benefit of a UPS is to provide extra power in the event of a blackout, giving a user time to save their work and shut down.
The use of a battery also means that the devices connected to a properly-functioning UPS will receive steady voltage and current in the event of a brownout or blackout. Basically, the UPS receives electricity from the wall, passes it through the battery, and then feeds it to the connected devices.
A UPS provides protection from both excessive and insufficient levels of electricity, in addition to the benefit of keeping a computer functional during a power loss until it can be shut down properly.
Most UPS units come with both battery protected and surge protected outlets to plug in to, and with different sized batteries which determine the length of time equipment will receive power. Even if you are not at home, your equipment will shut down without receiving jolts of power
In summary, surge protectors are a minimum requirement for all important electronic equipment. Home businesses and those with home computers, especially if you live in an area prone to electrical issues, should strongly consider investing in a UPS.
While neither a surge protector nor a UPS will provide complete protection against devastating events such as a direct lightning strike, using one will give your electronics and computers the best chance at a long, trouble-free life.
We recommend having a surge protection device installed in your switchboard. This will reduce the over voltages and will minimise potential damage. It provides protection for all of your appliances.
Are you aware that new smoke alarm legislation commenced in Queensland on 1 January 2017?
Did you also know that when you sleep your sense of smell shuts down? As it turns out, the phrase 'wake up and smell the coffee' is true. You can only smell the coffee after you have woken up.
Not being able to smell when you are asleep is something of a human design fault. If a fire starts in your home, toxic fumes can overcome you. Smoke alarms are therefore very important domestic safety devices.
The new legislation's aim is to prevent all house fire deaths. There is plenty of time available for home owners to become compliant, but we believe it is a good idea to consider having the new alarms installed as soon as possible.
New and substantially renovated homes are now required to have interconnected Australian Standard (AS) 3786-2014 photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in hallways where bedrooms are connected, and on each and every level of the residence. This applies to homes where building applications were lodged after 1 January 2017.
Requirements for other homes will be phased in over 10 years. Interconnected AS 3786-2014 photoelectric smoke alarms will be required from:
1 January 2022 in all homes leased and sold
1 January 2027 in all other homes.
In the meantime, if a homeowner replaces a legally required smoke alarm in an existing dwelling, it must be replaced with a photoelectric smoke alarm that complies with Australian Standard 3786:2014. If that smoke alarm is powered by 240 volts, it must be replaced with a 240-volt smoke alarm. If the smoke alarm is not powered by 240 volts, it may be replaced with tamper-proof, 10-year battery smoke alarm.
Photoelectric smoke alarms detect visible particles of combustion.
They respond to a wide range of fires, but are particularly responsive to smouldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam-filled furnishings or overheated PVC wiring.
Your protection against fire increases with the quality and type of smoke alarm that is installed. Research indicates that photoelectric smoke alarms are generally more effective across a wider range of fires experienced in homes.
Download the Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Information Sheet (pdf) for more information.
There is a very simple answer to the question - "When do I need an electrician?" The answer is always - you should never have any electrical work done on your home unless that work is performed by a Licensed Electrician or a Registered Electrical Contractor.
Without proper qualifications you cannot really do more than change a light bulb in your own home.
While Australians pride themselves on being DIY-ers, when it comes to electricity ignoring the rules is a potentially very dangerous undertaking.
While the danger could certainly be due to shoddy workmanship by a non-professional, the bottom line is that it is actually illegal not to use a Licensed Electrician or a Registered Electrical Contractor.
Licensed Electricians and Licensed Electrical Inspectors are the only people who can authoritatively inspect wiring, and only Licensed Electricians can rectify faulty customer installations.
The Australian Standard 3000:2007 “Electrical Installations or Australian and New Zealand Wiring Rules” define an electrical job as “The manufacturing, installing, testing, maintaining, repairing, altering, removing or replacing of electrical equipment”. Any of these jobs require an electrical contractor to complete the work. These laws are also laid out in the QLD Electrical Safety Act 2002.
An electrician is known as an electrical worker or an individual qualified tradesperson. An electrical contractor is a suitably trained individual or business that holds the required insurances and can employ an electrical worker.
Electricians are typically not allowed to perform work for the public unless under the employment of an electrical contractor.
Registered Electrical Contractors are usually the responsible party for testing and certifying their own work - however they need to apply to the relevant State Regulator, or designated distribution companies for connection of new premises.
Insurance companies will not pay out in instances of fire where there is evidence of illegal electrical work. This could end up very costly when house or contents are lost or damaged by fire.
You are entitled to a Certificate of Conformance (Certificate of Electrical Safety) for any electrical installation work carried out in your property. Before any work starts, you should always ask your electrician or electrical contractor to provide the following:
If the person cannot comply, then you shouldn't have any work done by them.
Queensland Regulator: Worksafe
Distribution companies:
Country Energy: www.countryenergy.com.au
Energex: www.energex.com.au
Ergon: www.ergon.com.au
The importance of having your home rewired if faulty wiring is suspect should never be underestimated. If your home is more than 60 years old you should definitely consider having your wiring inspected.
Old, outdated wiring or wiring which has deteriorated can be extremely dangerous.
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