Regular electrical maintenance is important in preventing potential accidents or incidents, the safety of your family and the public, but it can also improve the energy efficiency of your premises and help you save on your commercial power bills. This goes beyond the standard tag and test requirements which is generally done on an annual basis.
Whilst having a regular electrical maintenance schedule is likely the best option, it’s also helpful to be made aware of the top signs that your home office needs professional electrical maintenance. Below we’ve listed the top 4 indicators that imply you should contact a licensed electrician in Brisbane for maintenance work.
If you’re searching for a the best electrician in Brisbane area and surrounds (Alderley, Ashgrove, Bardon, Newmarket, Paddington, The Gap), look no further than Allyn White Electrical.
Flickering Lights
Flickering home office lights might seem like a minor problem, but when it’s a regular occurrence, it becomes a major nuisance and source of distraction for you and your staff. Persistent flickering lights could be associated with headaches, vision issues, and reduced morale and energy levels. It could also increase your electricity costs.
A licensed electrician can diagnose the cause of the issue. For example, is it an issue with the light bulb itself or something more serious like an overloaded circuit? With the latter, too many devices and appliances plugged into the same line can lead to a power shortage. Alternatively, your circuit wires could be outdated and no longer in line with the latest standards.
If your flickering lights involve more than one room or circuit, your home office likely has a more serious issue. This could be a problem with your cable connections or some other power source. In this case, it’s even more critical to consult a licensed electrician for maintenance work right away.
Circuit Breaker Trips Regularly
A circuit breaker that trips can be a common occurrence, however, if it is happening on a regular basis in the home office, it can be a cause for concern. Most often you will simply rest the circuit breaker every time it trips, which means you won’t find out what is actually causing the underlying issue. If the circuit breaker is tripping regularly it is important to find out the underlying cause(s).
In most cases, circuit breakers trip due to either a circuit shorted to ground or a circuit overload. Shorted circuits might be due to electrical conductors like wires or winding inside the motor touching ground. Alternatively, the issue could have its roots in a specific component. A licensed, experienced electrician can carefully review the relevant wiring and connections to identify the source of the issue and repair the problem so your home office experiences minimal interruptions.
Overloaded circuits can be a more complex issue, and a knowledgeable electrician in Brisbane like Allyn White will have the appropriate testing equipment to determine the source of the overload. The qualified electrician can also attach grounding or earth wires to outlets and electrical devices. This will help to minimise the risk of serious injury in the event of a short circuit, protect against electrical overload, and assist in stabilising your voltage levels.
Sparks When Plugging/Unplugging Appliances
If you or your team are seeing sparks when you plug in or unplug your appliances this is a potential sign you should have an experienced electrician in to do a safety check on your home office outlets. Sometimes this can be a normal situation – a quick spark due to a rapid drawdown on the power supply – and it has no serious underlying ramifications.
However, some times the sparks can be a sign of a dangerous underlying issue. For example, the sparks could be due to excessive heat that builds up in your electrical outlets. This could trigger other issues such as melting the insulation that covers your wires, which in turn could set off an electrical fire.
On the other hand, the sparks could be due to water leakage into the cabling, which can short out the circuit. The age of the outlet can also be another issue. Older more worn-out outlets can have looser connections, which increases the risk of short circuits and electrical fire. Older appliance cables and shoddy repair work can also be other potential causes.
Burning Smell When Switching On Appliances
It might seem quite obvious to some but if you ever smell a burning smell when switching on an appliance, you need to call an experienced electrician straight away. Everyone in your house is responsible for the safety of themselves and other family members. The old adage “if you see something say something” is imperative.
BONUS TIP: Your Home Office Is Located In An Old Building
Older buildings may require regular and more frequent maintenance, checks, and assessments. If your home office is located in an older building, your electrical wiring could be decades older than that in a new, modern home office building. The insulation around the wiring, too, could be far older and therefore at a higher risk of being worn out.
As such, it’s a good idea to have more frequent, regularly scheduled maintenance checks by a trusted, experienced electrician. Your electrician can examine your older wiring and insulation, replace it as needed, and take measures like installing a safety switch for extra security. They can conduct the right tests to check the wiring in your older build can safely support the load you’re plugging in.
Without a regular electrical maintenance program, your business could incur unnecessary time and costs in the form of interruptions, repairs, and wasted energy charges, especially if you’re in an older building. You could be at a higher risk of worker injury or even death.
For a free quote by a licenced electrician call 0416 235 641 or simply complete the online enquiry form and we will call and arrange to quote your switchboard and electrical requirements. Our charge out rate remains the same during the week, weekends and after hours, so don’t hesitate to contact us today!
sources: arrowpower.com.au, platinumelectricians.com.au
