• Sep 26, 2014

Why Electrical Safety Switches are important

Since 1992 Queensland Law states safety switches are mandatary for new homes - they are not an option.

What to do if a safety switch is activated

A safety switch is tripped if you are using a faulty appliance or your electrical wiring has become faulty or you may have drilled a wall and hit a live current.
It acts by turning off the power in a fraction of a second if a leakage of current is detected.

Tips from QLD Gov-:

• Reset the safety switch.
• If it trips again unplug the last appliance used.
• If everything works take that appliance to a licensed electrical contractor to be checked.
• If the safety switch keeps tripping, disconnect all appliances and plug them in one at a time until you locate the faulty one.
• Avoid touching appliances while doing this process.
• Contact your electrical contractor if problems persist.

refer http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/fair-and-safe-work/electrical-safety/homeowners-and-consumers/safety-switches

Installing a safety switch

This is not a she'll be right mate I'll do this one myself or the 'quick and dirty' handyman.
For Gold Coast to Brisbane use JT Electrical Electrician Brisbane Southside

Safety switches are also recommended on lighting circuits as well. Even if your home has a safety switch installed, one may not be enough to protect you from electric shock. Safety switches are often confused with circuit breakers and fuses, but they perform very different tasks.

Electrician Brisbane Southside

3 Types of Safety Switches

1 Switchboard Safety Switches

Switchboard safety switches are installed on individual circuits and are used to protect selected electrical circuits throughout the house. Appliances and extension cords connected to the protected power points.

Switchboard safety switches must be installed by a licensed electrician.

If an electrical fault occurs on a circuit with a switchboard safety switch, the switch will turn off the electricity supply to that particular circuit. Appliances and lighting connected to other circuits will keep operating.
Source: SA.gov.au

2 Powerpoint Safety Switches

3 Portable safety switches

Test your safety switch

The Queensland Government recommends to test your safety switch every three months -:

• Warn everyone you are about to test the safety switch.
• At the switchboard, press the 'T' or 'Test' button located on the safety switch, if it flicks off and cuts the power, it is working.
• After testing, turn the safety switch back on.

Note for circuits with a refrigerator or air conditioner, wait for two to three minutes before resetting to avoid possible appliance damage.

Do not test if someone is using a computer or recording something on TV – the testing process will cut power to those circuits connected to the safety switch.

If your safety switch does not trip to the 'off' position after you have pressed the 'T' or 'Test' button, turn off the power immediately and call a licensed electrician.

If your safety switch 'trips' during normal household electricity use there may be a fault.