Richtek Blog

Just because something isn’t immediately and visibly wrong doesn’t mean that your electrical system is well off. The electrical system of your house is part of its inner workings, and requires a trained professional to properly care for it. Just as new and improved electrical codes are being added every day, the demand for power consumption grows too, and that might mean older homes can be hard pressed to keep up with the times. Although older homes have a rustic charm that just isn’t replicated in today’s newer builds, it’s best to keep the home and its inhabitants safe. New or old, here are five signs that you ought to call an electrician.

1. You are often left in the dark, literally, or deal with flickering lights.

Inconsistent lighting is a big problem, more than just the inconvenience it might seem to be. When you use an appliance, a hairdryer for example, does it cause the vanity lamp to pause? If the air conditioning switches on or other appliances power up, like the fridge, do the ceiling lights dim? Many of these motor driven appliances require a substantial amount of current, and ought to be wired on dedicated circuits. The above issues can occur when they aren’t. If even small appliances are causing interruptions, a simple solution could be to just add a 20-amp line to service them. However, it’s best to get a professional’s opinion.

2. There’s a configuration resembling an octopus at many outlets.

If strip plugs and other additions are strangling your outlets, not only is it creating an unwieldy sight of cords, but your electrical system is working beyond capacity. This mostly has to do with how the need for power keeps increasing. Back when many older homes were built, current was not a popular thing. Today’s electronics and appliances make everything quite convenient but mean that additional circuits fitted with the proper receptacles are needed to deliver power safely and restore order to the home.

3. Three into two won’t go.

Three prong outlets are usually only used in things that require a serious grounding connection, but even something as simple as your vacuum may fall into this category. Many older homes are fitted with outlets that can only accept two-pronged plugs rather than three-prong grounded plugs. This is a bigger issue that being unable to hook up a toaster or microwave. It could be an indicator that your electrical wiring system is not fully grounded, meaning that you aren’t completely safe. Electricity and current are nothing to mess around with. It only takes one accidental brush to know that for fact.

4. Rug bumps mess up the carpet.

Often, cords can be routed along the wall or under rugs and furniture. The availability and layout of the outlets will often determine how functional the room can be, and how it will be set up. If you insist on a layout that doesn’t mesh with the layout of your outlets, it could cause your living room to look like a mess of tangled wires running under everything. This is more dangerous than just a trip hazard. More outlets are required, and this can be backed by if some of those wires are extension cords due to outlets being too far apart. Extension cords ought to be saved for outside lights and power tools, not used indoors to make the TV work.

5.You can feel the warmth or tingles from electrical currents.

Do outlets, switches or other electrical- system surfaces feel warm to the touch? Do you get a mild shock when touching a switch or outlet? Are there black marks on the switch plate, switch terminals, wire ends, or possibly even on the wall?  With the increasing demands for power supply, these are more visible signs that you need to call an electrician. Signs like these indicate that the circuit might be bearing too much demand, or they could be indicative of a far more complex and hazardous issue. If your home was built any time between 1965 to 1975, it may even have aluminium wiring. This is no longer a safe option, and if you have it in your house, be sure to have it checked regularly.

Whether your home is newly built or a historic must see, the electrical and wiring system is something important to maintain. Especially for an older house, there is the risk that the wiring does not comply with modern safety standards. For your own peace of mind, have a properly licensed electrician inspect it to make sure that your home is up to current code safety standards. And if it’s not, then call an electrician to help you get wiring that is.

by Michael Gray

When choosing a tradesman for any kind of work, it’s important to check off a few things so that you can rest assured you’re hiring an individual that is reliable, provides quality work, and is trustworthy. Electrical work is defined as the manufacturing, constructing, testing, installing, repairing, or removal of electrical equipment. That’s a category that encompasses quite a lot of work! A reputable electrician in Perth can help with domestic, commercial, industrial, or emergency situations. This can cover nearly any electrical problem, from the installation of complex measuring and flow meter equipment used in the mining industry, an electrical set up suitable for food service, or an older powerpoint replaced on a house. A solution to an electrical problem can be determined by them.

While having a reputable company on hand is wonderful, just saying so isn’t really good enough. What makes for an excellent Perth electrician?

1. License and Insurance. These are probably the two most important factors. A license is a guarantee that the contractor has completed all the necessary courses and practical work to perform work onsite correctly and safely. When hiring an electrician, always ask for their license first, and make sure that it is current. A quick online check to make sure that it is credible doesn’t hurt, either.

Keep in mind that some licenses are specific even within the field of electricians and may not cover the kind of work needed. In addition to a license, the contractor needs to carry all the necessary insurances. In addition to protecting him, this protects you from the liability of something going wrong during your job. Electrical work is dangerous, and just like the license, insurance that covers the specific work needed is imperative. Asking to view copies of current policies to make sure that they haven’t expired is an excellent way to vet your contractor.

2. Value for money. As with any product, utilize the phonebook or online listings for companies. Price comparisons are an excellent way to compare service and the quality of the service. While you don’t want to go for the cheapest you can find, a quick search may yield comparable or equal services for lower prices.

Generally, it’s a good idea to obtain at least three quotes. You need to communicate exactly what kind of work is needed, and each of your quotes should be broken down by materials and labour for a clear idea of what you’re paying for. Keep in mind that choosing an electrician based on price alone is unwise, as there are other factors to consider, but this factor should be near the top of the list.

3. Qualifications and experience. Every electrician will differ in the level of service they can provide. Many will have additional qualifications or experience in other types of specialized electrical work. Some of these may have accreditations. As an example, when you work with a master electrician, it guarantees they have a minimum of three years experience and will offer a twelve-month warranty on their work. It also ensures the highest standards of electrical safety and workmanship, and they are likely to be the most knowledgeable in energy-saving technology or products. That last part is definitely of interest with the ever-increasing demand and costs of energy.

4. Recommendations. If you haven’t experienced the work of the particular contractor you’re looking into yet, recommendations are an excellent starting point. Word of mouth is how most businesses will generate new customers, so it is in their best interest to make sure that every customer is as satisfied as possible with their work. Getting a recommendation from someone you trust can be invaluable, and if that isn’t an option, ask the contractor about previous clients and follow up with them.

5. Attitude and communication. These are key traits of any businessman. A poor attitude or sloppy work will guarantee a non-repeat customer. When you’ve decided on an electrician, take note of their timeliness and communication. Good communication skills can persevere through almost anything. Making sure that you both understand the work that needs to be done and its costs are vital to a good experience.

These are just a few of the qualities you should look for in when searching for an electrician in Perth. Checking off the above qualities will help make for an efficient and happy experience whether it is for routine maintenance or a system overall, at home or business.

by Michael Gray

Simply put, do it yourself and electrical are not two things that can or should ever go together. It really just isn’t worth the risk. There is a slew of safety concerns, as well as major property damage, and above all, it’s illegal due mainly to the safety issues present.

Electrical work is something that you must be trained in to do correctly, so you don’t cause yourself harm while making a repair or upgrade or expose people to danger in the future should they come into contact with your work. Electricity is messy. It’s a dynamic thing that requires careful handling, or it will cause you to risk your life. Humans are not meant to battle it out with electrical current. It’s best to always call in a professional like those of us here at https://www.richtekelectrical.com.au instead of trying to save a few dollars and perform electrical work yourself. We only employ staff who are experienced, highly trained, and absolutely trustworthy to ensure a job done well with great attention to the littlest detail, the first time.

1.Electrical tape: the duct tape of wiring DIYers.

Often, seasoned electricians see mounds of the black tape known as electrical tape around a haphazard tangle of wires. It’s such a common occurrence that electricians are truly starting to believe that people think this just is a different coloured duct tape. While traditional duct tape has its place in fixing many odds and ends projects, electrical tape should not be used in the same fashion. Twisting wires together and relying on the tape to hold them often means poor connections, which can become potential fire hazards. Whether that’s now or in the future, any type of loose or failed connection can generate heat, and heat only needs a little bit of coaxing from the right material, of which there is plenty of inside the walls of a house, to become a fire.

2. Getting your wires crossed.

While this can cause a simple miscommunication when dealing with just words, it’s a lot more unsafe with dealing with electrical components. There are many, many components to electrical systems. Numerous kinds of wires, outlets, grounds and other accessories. To the untrained DIY eye, these can all look the same. However, each part serves a specific purpose.

The gauge of wire necessary for modern homes, for example, is about twice the gauge of standard telephone wire, but these two wires look very similar. If a DIY’er were to use the incorrect material, the amount of heat and power running through it all the time can melt the insulation and cause more heat or fire related issues. Just as you wouldn’t use foam board for a DIY project that called for wood, neither should you try to take on electrical work by yourself. A professional will know what material and component to use for what you need.

3. Ceiling fan or other appliance fails.

Although installing a new light fixture or ceiling fan can seem simple enough, especially with the multitude of tutorials available, there are numerous reports of that same fixture dangling from its wires or come crashing down entirely. Unless you’ve been trained to do this kind of work properly, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. No one wants the shocking experience (maybe literally) of an installed fixture gone wrong. Wires can remain live even with their power source shut off and cause a tingling or shocking experience.

4. It’s always in the name of saving money.

DIY is a great way to save money. Often, little things can be fixed or upgraded quite easily. When it comes to electrical work however, really take a step back and look at the costs compared to the savings. Also something to consider is would your DIY electrical work pass inspection. The answer nearly all the time is no.

Often, attics or other underutilized areas will be revamped into a better space, with people doing all the wiring themselves. However, this brings up a few issues. One is that the work is hardly ever inspected, so it can be difficult to ascertain if it was done right, and two, if issues arise from improper work, the cost to have the work redone can far exceed the original cost of just hiring an electrician in the first place.

DIY can truly be a fun and enriching experience. It’s something to keep in mind though that there’s a time for play and a time for work. Experimenting with paints, yarn, or other reclaimed materials is fun and enjoyable. There’s nothing wrong with that kind of DIY. When it comes to more serious matters that deal with the safety of yourself and others, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. You will often save more money, time and frustration this way, and have peace of mind knowing that the work was done correctly and safely.

by Michael Gray