One essential item you must invest in as a homeowner or look for if you’re renting an apartment is an electrical safety switch. A safety switch makes all the difference between life and death in case of an electric fault. Once you have invested in a safety switch, how long can you expect it to last?
The Australian government takes electrical works very seriously and requires properties to be installed with safety switches. This decision was motivated by the increasing number of house fires and electrocution cases.
To answer the question of how long a safety switch can last, read on.
How Often Should I Test My Safety Switch?
According to the Electrical Safety Office, safety switches should be tested every three months. To distinguish a safety switch from a circuit breaker on your switchboard, safety switches are labeled with a “T” button. This button is for testing whether the switch is working properly or not.
If you want to know if your switch is working or not, press the “T” button. It should slip to the “off” position. Once it turns to the “off” position, you should press it back to the “on” position. If it returns back to the “on” position effortlessly, your safety switch is working properly.
However, if it doesn’t turn back to the “on” position, your switch could be faulty.
How Long Does a Safety Switch Last?
As a standard, safety switches in Australia are manufactured to last 4000 tests. However, this isn’t always the case. Just like every other electrical appliance is prone to damage and not working properly, safety switches are no exception.
Safety switches can fail to work properly for various reasons. The following things can prevent your safety switch from working properly:-
Damaged Home Appliances
Damaged appliances usually leak extra current, thereby causing the safety switches to go off. Also, when you have too many appliances in use at once, they will trigger your safety switch to trip.
Poor wiring
If wiring was done by an unprofessional or was done a long time ago, your safety switch may go off.
Weather conditions
When it rains heavenly or when lightning strikes your property, your safety switch may go off.
Once you realize that your safety switch isn’t working properly, don’t try to fix it on your own as a DIY project. As exciting and cost-efficient DIY projects are, don’t try them with safety switches. This is illegal and dangerous. The Australian government has set heavy fines for anyone found doing unlicensed electrical work.
It’s essential that you hire a licensed electrician to survey, repair or fix your electrical issues. This is because they come with experience, expertise and important safety knowledge. Also, they will come with the right tools and monitoring devices and the know-how of operating them so as to guarantee your safety.
Do you have any questions about your safety switches or anything electrical? Have you noticed that your safety switch isn’t working properly but you have no idea where to turn? A licensed electrician can help safely install and replace your safety switches.