Richtek Blog

In an age where the range of laptops, tablets, smartphones and other devices hang around the home and office like furniture, it is hard to imagine a time without them. But they are here to stay and all need regular charging with USB chargers. But bulky USB adaptors, such as the big box at the end of your iPhone charger, not only hogs outlet space in the home, office or public space, but also takes up unnecessary space in your pocket, bag or indeed suitcase when on your travels. With USB power points becoming more of a necessity than a luxury, you may have started to ponder if it is time to upgrade your power points and start thinking about hiring a professional domestic electrician to make life easier.

Fortunately, USB power points are now regularly being installed by a domestic electrician in Perth like Richtek Electrical Solutions in new homes and flats and are increasingly becoming a popular feature requested by homeowners and investors. And installation is pretty straightforward. It comprises of a simple swap over, of an existing power point with a wall mounted USB Power point.

Most homes nowadays have a number of smart phones and tablets at the very least. Having said that, chances are with larger families, there is likely to be a whole host of other items that require USB charging including digital cameras, fitness trackers, video cameras, camcorders, mp3 players, Go-Pro, GPS, game consoles, and bike computers. The devices listed above are enough to cause mayhem in the home or office with tangled cables and traditional power points being overloaded. Not only are these unsightly, but they also represent some serious health and safety hazards around the home or office say electrician in Perth experts Richtek Electrical Solutions.

It is surprising that despite the exhaustive list above of devices needing USB power points changing points, the majority of homes still do not have USB sockets built into power points. But builders and domestic electricians in Perth are becoming savvy and wall mounted USB power points are being made widely available and are fast becoming standard installs both in commercial and residential homes.

The benefits

There are a plethora of benefits to installing USB power points both in your home and office. Richtek Electrical Solutions have listed some of the benefits below.

Greater current supply

Nearly all smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices can be charged using the charger for the device or plugging a cable into your computer or laptop’s USB port. But the standard desktop computer USB port is often limited to a maximum current of 500 amps. In contrast, wall chargers deliver a much higher voltage, which translates into being able to charge your device in less time. Therefore, by utilising a USB power points, you can enjoy the convenience of not having to charge your device constantly and hence saving on recharge time.

Far more convenient

We all have experienced frustrating moments when our device is operating on low battery but there is no charger to be found. It is often the case that we use our devices in multiple rooms so the charger could be in a number of different places. And when we need it the most, it is difficult to locate. But if you have power points with USB chargers dotted around your home or office, you no longer need to run around hunting your charger. You can simply plug in your device and top up on the battery. On top of that, since most USB power points have multiple ports, several devices can be charged simultaneously. This will help solve the problem of clutter in the shape of multiple bulky charger units.

Much better safety

Electrician specialist Richtek Electrical Solutions, who undertake any electric-related task in Perth and the surrounding areas, have witnessed cases where power points become a hazard due to the clutter of adapters and chargers. Plugging in numerous charger units can overload the power points, which is dangerous and could possibly result in a significant fire hazard. Thankfully, because USB power points are a lot more efficient at charging various devices, there is less need for using multiple power adaptors. As a result, the risk of overloading is minimised.

Increased durability

You may not be aware, but chargers for smartphones, tablets, video cameras, game consoles, and other mobile devices are susceptible to damage. Add to that, the need to buy a brand new charger when upgrading your device, it is highly unlikely your existing charger will be compatible with the new one. So, by getting an electrician in Perth to replace your outlets to power points with USB chargers, you will no longer need to rely on twitchy chargers because you can plug them in directly.

Planning for an electrical system in the home

Whеn planning the electrical system in your own home, it will pay to take into consideration installing dedicated USB power points аrоund thе house which can act аѕ charging stations. This will save you from constantly moving уоur devices аnd chargers around. Some of the key places tо install USB power points are, thе kitchen, living room, bedroom, hallway, landing and a home office. By having dedicated charging zones, areas will be less unsightly and you will know exactly where all your devices are. Nоt оnlу аrе dedicated charging areas lеѕѕ unsightly, but thеу аlѕо mаkе іt easier fоr уоu tо kеер track оf еxасtlу whеrе аll уоur devices are.

But installing a new USB power points or replacing an existing power point is not a task to take on board yourself. You need a qualified electrician in Perth like Richtek Electrical Solutions to do this for you. That’s because by law an electrical license іѕ required bеfоrе аnу electrical wiring work саn bе undertaken іn Perth. Richtek Electrcial Solutions іѕ licensed, insured аnd bonded tо carry оut thіѕ type оf electrical services іn Perth and surrounding areas.

If you need an electrical contractor for domestic or commercial purposes that guarantees quality workmanship, excellent communication and an efficient service, the professionals at Richtek Electrical Solutions are waiting to take your call. They can be contacted on (08) 9375 3926.

by Michael Gray

It’s important to regularly check and change your smoke alarm battery. But with so many models on the market, it can be difficult to work out how to change it. Luckily, most smoke detectors take the same 9V battery, and smoke alarms have been designed to make it safe to change the battery without danger of electrocution. If you’ve lost your instruction manual, it’s usually still fairly easy to replace the battery, and here are a few things to remember.

Replace the battery annually

Smoke alarms should be tested once a month by pushing the ‘test’ button, and if the battery has run out, obviously it’s time to replace. However, you should also change the 9V battery once a year, whether it’s run out or not. If you have an alarm that has been hardwired by an electrician in Perth, there is usually a backup battery. It’s important that this works, as it can detect a fire even if your power is cut-off.

Clean your smoke detector

Not many people realise you should clean your smoke detector. With the cover on, use a vacuum cleaner to suck dust between the holes, and wipe down the exterior. This will:

• Remove dust from the sensor, making it more efficient
• Prevent false alarms
• Lengthen the life of your smoke detector
• Remove build ups of pet hair, dander, and pollen

Look at the expiry date

Changing your smoke alarm battery is a good excuse to check the expiry date. By law, smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years because they become less sensitive over time. Older smoke detectors can also be less reliable. If you look at the back of the head, you should see an expiry date, and can decide whether it’s time to replace.

If it’s time to replace your smoke alarm, it’s worth looking at getting a hardwired model installed. Contact an electrician if you’re thinking of getting one of these systems. One of the main advantages of these systems is that they’re connected, so if one goes off, they all do. This ensures if there’s a fire, everyone in the house hears the alarm.

Use a reliable battery

Your smoke alarm battery is not something you should be scrimping on. Make sure you used a recognised brand of battery to ensure reliability. Usually, it’s easy to change a battery, just twist or pull the cover off, pop the old one out, and put in the new 9V battery, ensuring the + and – symbols are in the right position.

When the cover is back on, press the button to test the alarm. If you’re using a hardwired system, there’s usually a green light to show that the system is switched back on, but you might need to check your manual if your model is a little different.

For help with the installation and maintenance of smoke alarm systems, call Richtek Electrical & Air Solutions on (08) 9375 3926. With emergency call-outs available, they can help you keep your home safe.

by Michael Gray

Year on year, we see that it’s becoming more common for bolder displays of Christmas lights outside of homes around the suburbs of Perth. As the festive season has crept up on us quickly this year, we thought we’d put together this brief guide to installing your lights safely. As the trend for bigger Christmas light displays increases in Perth, there is more potential for nasty accidents, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Please remember that any faulty electrics can be deadly, so it is vital that you don’t cut any corners when it comes to safety. Hopefully, by following this brief ‘do’ and ‘don’t’ list we’ve put together, this will ensure you’re still able to enjoy the festivities to their fullest this year, but also keeping you and your family safe.

The Do’s

• Do buy your lights at a Christmas store

As early as October, you’ll probably see a few ‘pop-up’ Christmas stores appear around the city. This gives you a couple of months to choose the correct lights that you want for your home. These kinds of shops will also sell other Christmas display goodies, such as reindeer structures and Santa statues that you may wish to include in your Christmas display design.

Other retailers will also stock Christmas lights, such as supermarkets, hardware stores, and big box home stores. Shop around to see what the best value is for your money, although you’ll probably find that the pop-up stores offer the best selection and lowest pricing.

Whilst you’re shopping around for lights, look out for some of the other accessories you might need, such as weatherproof cable boxes, extension leads and cable clips. You’ll certainly need some of these things if your aim is to create an exterior lights display.

You may not know exactly what you need, so you can ask the shop staff to help you, or talk to us and we can best advise you about outdoor electrical set-ups. We’re one of the most trusted electricians in Perth and will be glad to ensure your lights are rigged safely.

• Do Plan Your Design

The first step in installing your light display is planning it all out properly. You may have some unique ideas to make your lights display stand out this Christmas, so get your ideas together, make a design, and then stick to it.

Once you have your design planned out, list all the types of lights and accessories you’ll need and then create a budget. If your shopping list is more than your budget allows, you may have to minimise some aspects of the design, whilst still sticking with the overall look of the display.

• Do install the Lights Correctly

If you are going for an outside display, then you’ll need the correct safety precautions, such as all-weather cable boxes and rugged extension leads. You’ll also need to consider how and when the lights are switched on and off.

The most basic way of controlling the lights is to use a plug-in timer from an internal power point so that it is done automatically. You can set the timer so that it will switch the lights on and off for you, but for this to happen safely you must also ensure all the wiring coming from your house to the lights has been installed correctly.

The Don’ts:

• Don’t buy non-compliant Christmas lights

It is crucial that you buy lights that are compliant with Australian standards. Whilst lights bought at a Christmas store will probably adhere to these standards, you should always check first before purchasing. The lights should have C-tick and/or RCM mark, which means they have been approved by the Australian electrical standard.

If you don’t buy these safety-standard compliant lights, you could be risking someone’s life with electrocution. Non-compliant lights may be a cheaper option, but don’t forget that dealing with electricity is dangerous, so total care must be taken at all times when buying and installing Christmas lights.

• Don’t use makeshift weatherproofing devices

Your outside lights will be exposed to the elements, so always ensure your weatherproofing is legit and designed to do the job. Transformers require protection from the weather, and you can buy weatherproof boxes for a reasonable price, so it makes sense not to try to cut corners with any makeshift devices.

• Don’t create unsafe wiring hazards

As well as ensuring your transformers are protected from the elements, you must also see that you use good-quality extension leads. Without them, it could lead to a dangerous accident.

You can check the quality of the extension cable before plugging it in by running your hand along the cable to see that it is all solid and in one piece. If the cable has been damaged, then you should replace it with another one.

Once you know the extension leads are intact, you should make sure they do not present a hazard where people might trip over them, or they get driven over by cars. Extension cables should be well out of the way; otherwise, they become a hazard.

If you do find that your extension cables are getting in the way, then you could consider installing some external weatherproof power points as another, safer option. An electrician in Perth will be able to advise you about putting in some external power points, and it is a worthwhile job to have done if you want to ensure your Christmas lights are installed in a safer way than using extension cables from indoors.

Finally, you should check all the wiring and bulbs of the Christmas lights themselves. If anything is faulty, then you’ll need to replace it. We generally advise people not to try and fix faulty Christmas lights because the electrical arrangement is complicated and can lead to unnecessary accidents. Instead, if any of your Christmas lights are damaged, simply throw them out and buy new ones.

• Don’t forget to have fun

Christmas is the time to be jolly, and from all of us at Richtek Electrical and Air Solutions, we wish you to have a very happy Christmas, but please stay safe. To speak with us about any of your electrical concerns this Christmas, call now on (08) 9375 3926, and we’d be delighted to advise you.

by Michael Gray