Have You Upgraded Your Switchboard? The Benefits of Safety Switch Installation

Live electricity is no laughing matter and that’s why it’s important to ensure that your property’s supply is safe and well maintained at all times. One way of doing this is by calling a qualified professional to upgrade your switchboard so that it includes safety switches. These simple devices are well worth the investment and can potentially save your life. Read on below as we cover the benefits of installing safety switches and everything that goes along with it.

What Is a SwitchBoard?

A switchboard is a device found in your home or property that directs electricity from one or more sources of supply to multiple smaller areas of usage. Technically speaking, it’s an assembly of one or more panels, each of which having switches that provide for the redirection of electricity.

What Is a Safety Wwitch? How Does a Safety Switch Work?

A electrical safety switch is a device that quickly interrupts an electrical circuit to prevent serious harm from an ongoing electric shock. These devices can cut off power output in as little as 0.3 seconds, potentially saving a life. In NSW, safety switches are mandatory in all new buildings and must be added if alterations or extensions are made to an existing building.

What Is a Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is a switch that works by protecting an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current, usually due to an overload or short circuit.

Key point: circuit breakers protect appliances while safety switches protect people!

Why You Need a Safety Switch?

A safety switch acts as an important barrier between your body and an electrical shock that can cause damage to your heart and potential death. They almost instantly turn off your main power, should an electrical fault be detected. Safety switches work by picking up on miniscule differences in the currents that run through electrical wires. Such activity indicates that electricity is being directed away from its proper path and that it may be doing harm to people. A safety switch can activate due to a number of factors including exposed wires, faulty appliances and short circuits. If you want to reduce the risk of electrocution and electrical fires, then safety switch installation is your best bet.

Fire hazards is one of the most common electrical problems

How Many Safety Switches Should I Have Installed?

Getting a safety switch installed is a smart idea if you are looking to make your property as safe as possible. While having one installed on your main power circuits is good, you can enjoy even better protection if there’s one for every single circuit point throughout your property.

Testing Your Safety Switch

Testing your safety switches is vital to making sure that everything is running as it should be. The good news is that it’s easy to do. Simply open your switchboard and press the ‘Test’ button on each safety switch. If they are working correctly, then the power will instantly trip off on the relevant circuits. If you hit the ‘Test’ button and the power does not trip, then it’s faulty and you will need to call in an expert.

Tip: test your safety switches at the start of daylight savings time to save yourself having to reset all of your clocks for no reason. 

Electricians in Sydney Who Can Help With Safety Switch Installation

Be sure to protect your property and the people who live in it by getting safety switches installed across all circuits. Our friendly and experienced electricians in Manly can help with all of your problems to ensure total peace of mind. Overhead Electrical prides itself on doing exceptional work and offers standout customer service. Speak with us today about safety switch installation by qualified electricians in Manly who always get the job done. 

Call today on 0409 017 436 to find out more.