How Often Does Your Home Need an Electrical Safety Check?
When you're plugging in the air fryer in the kitchen, or flicking on the lights in the living room, the last thing you want or need is a sparking power point or flickering lights. Not only is it inconvenient, but it can actually be a bit scary too! Situations like these only highlight the importance of comprehensive electrical safety checks in and around your home.
Regular electrical safety checks are the most effective way to identify small problems before they blow out into major issues. Beyond keeping your home safe, these checks give you peace of mind, so your electrical appliances and installations work as they should.
If you can’t remember your most recent electrical safety check it’s been too long. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of a thorough electrical safety service and how often you should get it done.
What is Involved in an Electrical Safety Check?
An electrical safety check involves a thorough inspection of your home’s electrical services and appliances. It minimises the potential for electrical incidents and ensures everything works safely and efficiently.
It’s always wise to arrange checks of gas and electrical services in your home, using a gas fitter for the former and a licensed electrician for the latter. Each will carry out thorough safety inspections in their particular areas of expertise.
Here’s what your electrician will check as part of their comprehensive service:
- Power outlets for damage, wear or overheating.
- Lighting circuits and light fittings to make sure they’re installed correctly and safe to use.
- Residual current devices (RCDs) and switchboard-type circuit breakers to make sure they’ll protect you in the event of an electrical fault.
- Smoke alarms to make sure they’re connected and working.
- Electrical installations and fittings like wiring and connections to look for signs of wear.
By conducting visual inspections of these areas, your electrician can take the necessary actions to address any electrical repair concerns. They can leave you with greater peace of mind and a safer home.
So, How Frequently Do I Need to Arrange Electrical Checks?
Just how regularly you need to book a detailed electrical safety check depends largely on the age of your home, the frequency of your electrical maintenance, and your electricity usage patterns. Of course, the date at which you last had an electrical safety check will also factor into it.
For most homes, we recommend arranging an electrical safety check every 3 to 5 years. This will help to identify any underlying issues like old wiring or faulty circuit breakers before they escalate into major hazards. But if your home is older, or you’ve just moved in, we suggest taking a more cautious approach with electrical safety inspections and booking one sooner.
Regular periodic checks not only ensure safety but also give you peace of mind knowing your electrical installations are in good order and comply with current safety standards.
Why You Must Use a Licensed Electrician
An electrical safety check must only be conducted by a licensed electrician. This is not merely a recommendation – it’s a must. Electrical safety inspections are not a DIY job. There are many reasons for this requirement:
- Australian law imposes strict rules on gas and electrical work, including electrical safety checks.
- Licensed electricians ensure that all installations and electrical fixtures in your home comply with Australian Standard AS/NZS 3000. This significantly reduces the potential for electric shocks, fires and other electrical incidents.
- Using a licensed electrical contractor ensures you comply with your home insurance policy. This is a strict requirement for most insurance providers, and is something you don’t want to jeopardise should something go wrong.
- Many electrical systems, devices and appliances require a licensed or registered electrician to be the one to carry out any essential electrical work. Going down the DIY path puts you at risk of voiding warranties.
- There is also the issue of compliance with the relevant state or territory licensing body (e.g. Energy Safe Victoria in Victoria, or Consumer and Business Services in South Australia).
Aside from compliance obligations, a licensed and experienced electrician will work off a comprehensive checklist and record the necessary actions taken to address your electrical safety service needs.
Electrical Safety Inspections for Older Homes
We touched on it earlier, but it bears repeating – an electrical safety check is particularly essential for older homes, especially if they still have their original wiring.
Older properties certainly have their indisputable charms – that goes without saying. However, many come with decades-old installations, wiring and other fixtures. These may not hold up against present-day safety standards and pose a risk of electrical faults, fires and other common electrical problems.
Regular electrical safety checks are essential to identify these hazards and keep your home safe. A licensed electrical contractor can inspect the wiring, test residual current devices and recommend upgrades like modern switchboards or safer lighting circuits. These upgrades will not only protect your family but also help with energy efficiency.
Common Electrical Problems That Warrant an Electrical Safety Service Check
Electrical issues can pop up unexpectedly but knowing the warning signs can help you act before they get out of hand. Here are some common problems that essentially scream at you to arrange for an electrical safety check:
- Flickering lights means loose connections or overloaded circuits.
- Frequent circuit breaker trips suggest your system can no longer manage your energy needs.
- Burnt or sparking power points are a serious hazard and need attention now.
- Overheating socket outlets or electrical appliances means faulty wiring or connections.
- Unusual smells near outlets or wiring indicate overheating or burning components.
If you notice any of these issues don’t wait – book a safety check with a licensed electrician to fix the problem and keep your home safe.
Protect Your Electrical Safety with Regular Checks
Your home’s electrical system works all day, every day, powering everything from electrical appliances to lights. A regular electrical safety check keeps everything ticking along smoothly with maximum safety and efficiency.
By catching electrical faults or outdated installations and fittings ASAP, you reduce the potential for electrical hazards, safeguard your property and instil complete peace of mind. Whether you live in an older property or a newly built home, these checks are an essential part of keeping your family safe.
Always use a licensed electrician to do the work – they have the knowledge and tools to identify and fix potential problems. Don’t wait until something goes wrong – book a safety check today and keep your home in good nick.
Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “How Often Does Your Home Need an Electrical Safety Check?”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.
