Electricity is the most transformative discovery that has ever had an impact on our society. Although most people credit Benjamin Franklin for the discovery of electricity in 1752, it was actually discovered by ancient Greeks more than 2000 years earlier. Electricity is in almost everything we use today and it improves our lives by automating tasks and enhancing the performance of many applications that we rely on. Electricity is so deeply ingrained in our lives that it is hard to believe how we would live without it. During times when electrical systems need installing or become faulty a licensed electrician is the best person for the job. Hiring a qualified electrician reduces the chances of faulty and poor electrical installation which could pose a dangerous risk in the future.
The Importance of Carrying Out Electrical Testing and Inspections
Although electricity is an important form of energy for modern societies, it should be managed safely and efficiently. Regular electrical inspections are essential because contact with electrical wiring could lead to fatalities if it comes into contact with people or animals. An additional reason electrical inspections should be performed is to detect electrical faults and overloaded circuits that could cause electric fires, explosions, or arcs. These can also pose a life-threatening risk. As with all things, electrical systems can deteriorate and become more dangerous. These risks can be detected and addressed by regular inspections. Poor quality power systems could lead to data corruption and other problems for businesses that rely on them.
The electrical safety standards in the UK are constantly changing and they must adapt to meet the current demands of power from domestic and commercial appliances. Sometimes, the wiring in an electrical property is not sufficient to support the current demands for electrical appliances. In such cases, the property will need to have its electrical system rewired by a qualified electrician. Regular electrical testing can help you plan ahead for such projects which can be costly and disruptive.
A Visual inspection Vs Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Visual inspections are a simple check that identifies any obvious signs of damage, defects or deterioration. Your electricity should not be turned off during inspection. Access to your entire home will be required by the electrician. Depending on how large the home is, the report can take approximately 1 hour. The electrician will take notes during the inspection. A Visual Inspection Report (VIR), will then be sent to the homeowner. A Visual Inspection report (VIR) will include a list of recommendations, observations, and a summary of the overall condition of the installation. A condition report on electrical installations (EICR), identifies damage and deterioration. It also outlines any conditions that could pose danger. This report is more thorough than the VIR. It will include testing various circuits, which may require turning off the main electric supply. The contractor can identify hidden problems or other issues which cannot be detected by a VIR. An EICR, also known as periodic inspections and testing of electrical installations, is used to assess if the installation is suitable for continuing service. A condition report is often requested by homeowners as part of their house sales. Regular inspections of rental properties by landlords who are more aware of their electrical safety obligations should be done. An EICR should be performed every ten years for private rented property, or five for a residence that has changed of occupancy. An EICR typically takes between 3 and 4 hours depending on how large a property is and the amount of circuits that need testing.
Law Obligations and Commercial Considerations
As stated in the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act and associated Regulations, it is a legal obligation to create and keep safe workplaces and supervise safe work practices. The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) outlines the requirements for electricity use. Depending on the gravity of the case, a violation of these regulations could result in prosecutions or enforcement notices (improvement, prohibition), fines, imprisonment, and even death. Companies as well as individuals can be held accountable. The degree of control that an individual exercises over the incident will determine the extent of culpability. Fines levied against individuals and companies are based on culpability and turnover, personal circumstances and aggravating and mitigation factors. Equipment failure can have a significant financial impact on the ability for the business to produce, maintain customer loyalty, and loss of production. It is often more economical to replace or repair equipment quickly than it is to go out of business.
Flicker and Dimming Lighting
Are you seeing lights dimming or flickering? It is a sign that something is wrong with the electrical system in your business or home. The wiring on your home or business will deteriorate over time. You never know which pests could cause damage to your wiring. Whatever the reason, you should seek out electrical design services in order to have your wiring checked. Sometimes, however, it might be necessary to upgrade your electrical system. There are some appliances that use lots of electricity. If they do not have dedicated circuits they can cause power distribution problems, which will lead to lights flickering. It is best to hire a commercial electrician to install an extra line for these appliances.
Your Circuit Breaker Is Tripping More Often
Circuit breakers are essential components of any electrical system. The main function of a circuit breaker is to check the circuit for overloads and turn it off as soon as possible. It prevents electrical damage from occurring due to a surge, or any other problem. The breaker will usually trip when you have multiple high-voltage appliances running at once. If your circuit breaker is constantly tripping, or your fuse gets damaged frequently, this could indicate that your electrical system is having problems. A circuit breaker that trips occasionally is not a problem, but if it tripped frequently it could be a sign of an overloaded circuit. If the problem is not addressed immediately, it could lead to irreparable damage and possibly an electric fire.
The Outlets Have a Burning Smell
You might notice an unpleasant door if your electrical outlet overheats or you mnay even notice the outlet may become discoloured and burnt. To avoid an electrical fire, you should switch off any outlets and unplug appliances. There are many things that could cause the smell of burning. Before calling an electrician, make sure you check to see if any appliances such as straighteners or ovens have not been turned on. The next step is to check the electrical outlets. If you smell something coming from them, it could indicate that they have overheated. To avoid any potential fires, unplug all devices and switch off the outlet. You should contact an electrician as quickly as possible to make the repairs.
Buzzing and Humming
If you hear buzzing from the breaker box, it is likely that your wiring is in serious trouble. Circuit breaker damage can make your home vulnerable to electrical surges.Therefore, it is important to take even the smallest buzz or hum seriously.
Sparkling
A small spark may appear when you plug in an appliance. It is common for this to happen. Outlets can spark abnormally if they are overloaded or wiring is damaged or not properly installed. These sparks can be:
- They are very large and immediately noticeable when they jump out of the plug socket.
- The sparks persist longer than one second before eventually dissipating
- The sparks are white or yellow and not the usual blue colour