Electrical issues and the required repairs are an unavoidable aspect of modern living. With how expensive hiring a professional electrician can be, do it yourself home repairs can be very tempting to do. However, many electrical projects require a professional electrician because they can be quite hazardous if they are attempted by someone who does not have as much experience.

Here are 3 reasons why you should find a reliable electrician:

The Job Gets Done Correctly

What seems like a simple wiring project can actually be much more complex than it initially appears. You can save yourself a lot of time by simply calling someone who is very familiar with what they are doing, such as our expert teams here at Richtek Electrical & Air Solutions.

If your electrical problem requires going into one of your walls, that can be troublesome business. A professional electrician can take care of the issue while being as minimally invasive as possible so that no permanent damage is done to your home.

A Professional Electrician Will Ensure the Job Is done Safely

A reputable electrician will ensure that the electrical job is completed safely both during the process and after. If a job was completed incorrectly, it could potentially lead to some very serious safety hazards such as electrical shocks, electrical fires, or other hazards.

A reputable electrician will have gained enough experience over the years to ensure the safety of your home and themselves as they work. Their expertise on the subject guarantees that they can handle whatever unexpected turns the situation throws at them. The fact of the matter is, electricians simply know a lot more about their field than anybody else does.

You Save Money in the End

Every homeowner or business owner knows that their home or building will eventually need some type of electrical repairs. If you decide to do the repairs yourself, you will have to get all kinds of permits and inspectors involved, which can waste lot of time, money, and resources. While electricians can be a little pricey, you can control the costs. For example, you can have your electrical circuits mapped out correctly beforehand so that an electrician doesn’t need to do that for you.

Here are a few ways that a reliable electrician can save you money:

1. Make sure the project is completed in compliance with local codes and regulation standards
2. Electricians come prepared
3. Once an electrician gets the job done right the first time, you won’t have to go back and redo anything that you might have messed up on your own
4. You can’t put a price on the peace of mind you get knowing that your electric work was done correctly and will continue to work well and safely in the long-term.

If you are planning on doing any home renovations, check out this article on what you would need a professional electrician’s expertise for. While there are occasionally benefits to doing electrical work yourself, there is certainly the time and place to call in a professional to do the work for you.

by Michael Gray

Are you considering upgrading your switchboard? Has an electrician been out to your property and told you that you need a new one, or have you simply noticed problems with it on your own and think it might be time to­ have it upgraded?

Switchboards aren’t designed to last forever, so needing to upgrade yours when the time comes is to be expected. But what should you expect when your switchboard starts acting up and you need to upgrade it? What will the damage be to your wallet? Let’s dive in:

Knowing When to Upgrade

If you have an older Perth home, then it’s more likely that you’ll need to upgrade your switchboard if you haven’t yet. This ensures that the wiring is sufficient to support the needs of multiple appliances that you use in your household at the same time. When your house was first built, it may not have been standard to have so much electricity running through it at once. Today, however, it’s normal to be running a washing machine, dishwasher, air-conditioner, and an oven all at the same time – and that requires a lot of electricity.

Switchboards that were installed in Perth homes that are more than 20 years old are typically not able to cope with these high demands. As a result, you might be at risk of a connector in the wiring or fuse burning out. This could result in a dangerous electrical fire.

In addition, older switchboards might not have the required 2 RCDs, which is another essential reason that your switchboard might need upgrading. These RCDs help to offer a layer of protection for your children and family by protecting against shocks and electrical fires.

Dangers of an Outdated Switchboard

As we have already mentioned, outdated switchboards might not have the required 2 RCDs that they need to help keep your family safe. These devices are designed to protect your family against fatal electrocutions by cutting the power source instantly, protecting anyone who touches a live wire from electrical shock. Installing RCDs has been proven to prevent 90% of fatal electrocutions!

Fuses and plug-in circuit breakers are responsible for most electrical fires, so upgrading your switchboard allows you to take advantage of all the benefits with none of the dangers! Finally, many older switchboards also contain asbestos within their mounting. Asbestos is a proven carcinogenic and poses a health risk if it is not removed correctly. So, to protect your family from this harmful substance, make sure you call on a licensed electrician to remove your old switchboard and upgrade your home’s electricity!

Upgrade Your Switchboard Today!

Upgrading your switchboard can improve your electrical supply in your home, while also keeping your family safe. And the price of doing this is usually very reasonable if you know where to look!

A standard-sized home in Perth tends to require 11-15 poles as well as a new main switch to be installed. You can typically find this in Perth for around $1300 for this type of switchboard upgrade – but it all depends on the size and requirements of your home, so for an exact quote, it is best to speak with a local electrician! At Richtek Electrical and Air Solutions, we will be able to inspect your home and the requirements of your switchboard upgrade to give you a better idea of what you need to pay.

by Michael Gray

If you have a young child in your home, then it is essential to keep them protected from the dangers of electricity within your own home.

As young children start to grow, they learn to crawl and eventually walk – and when this happens, they love to explore. When they see little holes in the wall the size of their own finger, many are tempted to stick their fingers inside – which can lead to tragic consequences.

What Is RCD Protection?

RCD protection can help your child to explore their surroundings while safe from the horrors of electricity. RCD is short for residual current device, and these life-saving devices are designed to protect your new born from fatal electric shock if they are to touch something live like an uncoated wire.

I Don’t Have Any Young Children – Do I Need RCD Protection?

This is a question that people commonly ask when they hear about RCD. While you don’t need its protection if you don’t have young children, adults can benefit from it, too! RCD protection also helps to prevent electrical fires. RCDs are set apart by other tools by the fact that they offer a personal level of protection that your typical fuses and circuit breakers cannot.

How Does RCD Protection Work?

RCD protection functions by constantly monitoring the electric currents flowing through circuits in your home. When it detects an electrical change, such as the current flowing through a child, the circuits are abruptly cut off. This considerably reduces any risk of injury or death. For example, if a baby in your home touches a loose wire and it begins to produce sparks, you might not even realise that’s happened because the power will be cut off long before a fire has a chance to develop.

Types of RCDs

Here are the different types of RCDs you can find on the market:

Portable RCDs: These can be plugged into your outlet and then appliances can be plugged in through the RCD. These are useful when no other type of RCD is around, but they only protect your child with appliances physically plugged into the RCD.
Socket-outlet RCDs: These are socket outlets that have been improved with built-in RCD functions and are used to replace your standard outlet. This protects your child from any appliances connected through the socket itself, and you can install them throughout your home.
Fixed RCDs: This type of RCD is installed in your fuse box and offers protection from several circuits. This offers the best security as it protects children from all wiring, sockets, and appliances connected to the fuse box.

Can I Depend on RCDs?

Absolutely. Many studies have revealed these devices to have a reliability over 97%. This number increases further if you test your RCDs regularly (every three months is recommended). You can test them by simply pressing the test button and seeing if the RCD shuts down.

This keeps your whole family, adults included, safe from shocks and electrical fires. If you are expecting a child or already have one in your home, it’s essential to regularly check the wires in your home. This adds an additional layer of protection for your family.

Need assistance having your new RCDs installed in your home? Get in touch with an electrician in Perth today!

by Michael Gray