1) What is Electrical Fault Finding?🤔⚡
Electrical fault finding is a process that involves investigating the cause of electrical failures and problems. The aim is to find out why an electrical fault has occurred and what is required in order to correct the issue.
In order to pinpoint an electrical issue, various methods will be used such as measuring the resistance on an electrical circuit and comparing it with the expected values given factors such as circuit length, wiring composition material, conductor cross sectional area, temperatures and installation methods to name a few.
Electrical problems can be solved by an experienced electrical tester whom can understand test results and interpret them to establish the cause of electrical failure. Checking for different issues such as Earth Leakage, Earth fault loop impedance values, insulation resistance readings and visually inspecting electrical installations for signs of damage or distress are all things an experienced electrical inspector should be able to undertake.
Electrical fault finding aims to find out WHY and electrical repairs aim to FIX the issue.
Back to top2) Can anyone carry out Electrical Fault Finding?
There are certain types of electrical fault finding that can be carried out by almost anyone, for example, if a trip switch has tripped and the cause needs to be found. There are occasions where a lay person can carry out some investigations to attempt to restore power to an electrical installation without putting themselves or anyone else in any danger.
Our help sheet will allow you to undertake some fault finding investigation yourself without the need for an electrician. Once you have carried out all the steps on the helpsheet, if there are still electrical problems then you will need to call your local emergency electrician in order to come and assist you.
Electricians that specialise in emergency calls, testing and inspection will have various specialist electrical test equipment that allows them to carry out in depth invetigations into what has caused your electrical issue, pinpointing the problem and offering solutions for a repair.
Our help sheet is here: https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/helpsheet/help-my-house-electrics-are-tripping
Back to top3) How much does Electrical Fault-Finding Cost?
The costs for “electrical fault finding” will vary. This of course, depends on how urgent the issue is, when you require an electrician to attend your property and the company and their costs. Electrical fault finding that is booked in advance with a local company will likely cost less than ringing a national emergency trades company for an immediate attendance by an electrician out of hours. Should you need an emergency, 24 hour electrician in the North West, we cover from Liverpool to Leigh and are able to help at short notice most of the time, our costs are here:
https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/emergency-electrician
Back to top4) How long does an electrical fault take to fix?
The nature of the electrical fault or electrical emergency will dictate how long the job is likely to take, the parts that may be necessary to replace and therefore the cost that is likely to be incurred.
Replacing a faulty socket or locating a faulty appliance is likely to take no more than an hour, in fact, a lot of electrical faults and issues are found and fixed within an hour. Where problems such as burnt out connections, damaged consumer units or fuseboards or electrical faults hidden in cavities are present then the issue may take longer and / or require a second visit / quotation in order to put right.
Back to top5) What kinds of electrical faults are there?
There are all sorts of electrical faults that can occur for a variety of reasons.
Typical electrical faults include:
- Short Circuits
- Insulation Faults on Cabling and Circuits
- Earth Faults
These electrical faults can then cause a variety of other issues to occur within an electrical installation and as such it is important for an electrical inspector to use their knowledge and expertise to narrow down the cause. Often symptoms are described by customers to electricians and the electrician has to find the cause.
Back to top6) How much is it to fix a trip switch problem?
Above I talked about the symptoms and causes of electrical faults. A trip switch problem is a symptom of an electrical issue. The cause is unknown. Sometimes customers are frustrated when they call as they have asked the question of other electricians and when I explain they then understand.
Customers will call up asking for the cost to replace a trip switch when in fact, the trip switch is not at fault and is just doing its job by tripping and cutting off power to the circuit.
The answer is, it depends on the CAUSE not the SYMPTOM. 😊
Generally, “Electrical fault finding” is a job that involves unknown cost and time and many electricians, myself included will not be able to give you a fixed price quote to repair your problem. This is where it is VITAL that you find a trusted electrician who will not take advantage by draggin out the job or telling you things are broken when they are not. Im sure it goes on in all trades and services so check out your tradesperson before trusting them in your home.
WE understand how difficult it is to build that trust with a tradesperson especially if you need them in an emergency and don’t know them before hand. Check out our Google reviews online for previously satisfied customers.
Back to top7) Question?
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