1) In nearly every UK home there is an electrical system that provides power for all our modern appliances and electrical equipment.
In many of these homes the electrical system is outdated and requires some degree of improvement. With new buildings there is normally no need to worry but as electrical wiring and systems age, there can be an increased risk of dangerous electricity, electrical dangers and electrical systems that become hazardous through lack of maintenance. We can see from the photograph that this fuse and fuse carrier has become damaged. This is likely due to the lack of maintenance and care for the electrical system in this property and as a result, the wiring has become loose over time and caused the connections to heat up causing burning and a small fire to break out. This type of fuse box was last fitted about 40 years ago and as such, if you have an old-fashioned fuse box in your home it is AT LEAST 40 years old. It’s time to get it upgraded or as an absolute MINIMUM, a thorough electrical inspection carried out.
Back to top2) What electrical dangers are there in the home?⚡
Electric Shock occurs when you contact a live part of the electrical system. This could be damaged wires, cracked or broken sockets or switches, frayed extension cords or faulty appliances or wiring. Electric shock is much more serious and severe the older the electrics are in the home. Modern electrical systems are designed to better detect electric shock and disconnect the power when there is a problem. Older systems or systems that have not been maintained are not guaranteed to do this! ☹
Electrical Fires can happen when there are faulty electrical appliances, faulty electrical circuits, loose connections on wiring throughout the home including the fuse box or consumer unit and when circuits become overloaded. Poor electrical design when installing electrical systems can contribute to fire risk. It is important that you have your electrical system designed and installed by a professional electrician to ensure that electrical fire risk is minimised. The electrical installation should be checked every ten years and a report produced on its condition.
Overloaded Circuits can occur when there are too many things plugged in using power. High powered appliances greatly increase the chance of overloading the circuit. Poor circuit design, not enough sockets and too many high-powered appliances can create problems. Cables can run too hot on overloaded circuits which can damage the cable insulation and shorten the lifespan of the wiring.
Extra circuits may be needed if you are overloading the existing ones, feel free to contact us if you are having problems.
Ancient electrical systems are commonplace in our UK homes and unfortunately, many people do not update their systems until there is a complete system failure. Regular inspections and maintenance by a professional electrician can ensure that electrics last as long as possible and remain in good safe condition throughout their lifespan. It’s all too easy to spend money on a new kitchen whilst ignoring the aging wiring in the home. Electrical systems are not designed to last forever and will fail suddenly if neglected over a long period.
Excessive extension lead use can lead to overloading, overheating and electrical fires. These types of electrical accessories should not be considered “fixed wiring” as they are meant for temporary use. If there are not enough sockets in your home then you should consider adding more or rewiring the system to allow for more. Your electrician will tell you if it is safe and possible to add further sockets to your electrical system.
DIY electrical work can seem tempting to save money and avoid the hassle of locating a professional however, there can be serious dangers related to DIY electrical work. Without a thorough understanding of the electrical wiring regulations, building regulations and electrical testing there is a very real chance of injury or dangerous installation practice. Put simply, the vast majority of electrical work should NEVER be undertaken by someone other than a qualified electrician.
If you are worried that you have dangerous electricity then give us a call. Many of our customers have bought homes where the history of the electrical installation is unknown and as such, they need the peace of mind that an electrical inspection can bring to them.
Back to top3) Electrical inspection?📋
An electrical inspection is something that is carried out by an electrician. Using specialised test equipment, knowledge of the wiring regulations (600-page document) and expertise in test result interpretation and an electrician is able to determine the condition of electrical systems in the home.
The process takes a few hours to carry out correctly and once finished, a document is produced detailing the condition of the installation. The result is either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. In both cases, there may be observations made by the electrician that they recommend undertaking.
Where an installation is Unsatisfactory, the electrician will state why and what is necessary to remedy the installation. For more information on electrical inspections, please see our page:
https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/electrical-safety-checks-eicr
4) Old consumer unit?⚠️
If you have an old consumer unit. It does not mean that the electrics are necessarily unsafe. Older consumer units can sometimes still offer reasonable protection and the electrical installation as a whole should be tested and inspected to see if there are any electrical issues making the installation unsafe.
Back to top5) Upgrades and additions?📈
Pursuant to the regulations it is often difficult or impossible to add on to an old wiring system safely. In many cases, the electrical installation may require some safety upgrades in order to install additional sockets, switches, or circuits for example.
A common request is for additional sockets on an older electrical system and in order to do this it is often necessary to replace the consumer unit for a modern, compliant one.
📧 Contact us.
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