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Nothing is immune to the passing of time, and certainly not electrical systems, appliances and equipment. But what is electrical maintenance? Well, much like your car, electrical systems, equipment and appliances benefit from regular servicing.
And similarly to your car, the importance of electrical maintenance cannot be overstated. Electrical faults can be very dangerous, and the damage they can do can also be very expensive to fix. It’s always best to preempt any electrical issues before they can become a larger problem.
Electrical maintenance refers to the practice of regularly inspecting, testing, repairing, and replacing electrical equipment and systems to ensure their safe and reliable operation. This can include tasks such as cleaning electrical components, tightening loose connections, replacing worn-out parts, and upgrading outdated systems. Proper electrical maintenance can help prevent equipment failures, reduce downtime, and improve energy efficiency, while also ensuring compliance with safety regulations and minimising the risk of electrical hazards. As such, it is an essential part of any effective electrical management program, and should be performed by trained professionals with the necessary skills and expertise.
Having unmaintained, or poorly maintained, electrical equipment in your home greatly increases the risk of the following electrical safety hazards:
The most direct danger posed by poorly-maintained electrical equipment is a fatal electrical shock to you, a family member or an employee. And if you’ve been neglecting your RCDs, they won’t be as efficient in kicking in when it counts.
Electrical systems in poor condition, especially wiring, poses a huge fire risk. By keeping a watchful eye on your electrical system through regular maintenance, your electrician will be able to spot any fire dangers before they evolve into a serious threat.
Electrical safety hazards can cascade into even greater problems if left untreated. Faulty circuit breakers can lead to appliances overloading or short circuiting, and electrical faults will often threaten to develop into an electrical fire.
To read more: What Do I Do In A Electrical Emergency?
It’s no secret that well-maintained electrical systems, appliances and equipment function much better than if they were worn down or neglected. You also get the following benefits too:
Appliances in good condition will be far more safer than unmaintained ones, greatly reducing the risk of electrical fires and electrical shocks. By keeping track of the electrical maintenance of your system and appliances, you’ll also know when you need to undertake electrical upgrades before they become problems.
Well maintained electrical systems and appliances will run more efficiently, requiring less power and thus costing you less. Across all the appliances in your business’s or your home’s electrical system this can equate to quite a decrease in your power bill.
Keeping electrical equipment well maintained means you won’t need to fork out for costly replacements as per often. It’s also much cheaper in the long run. Well-maintained equipment also often runs more efficiently.
For businesses that rely on electrical equipment for daily operations, knowing that your equipment isn’t going to break down tomorrow gives you peace of mind. You’ll also be more confident in using it, and making investments around it.
A well-maintained electrical system will contribute to a good impression of your home and increase the value when you come to sell. Buyers value a well maintained electrical system that is compliant with all current electrical codes and regulations.
It definitely helps to know what will fail an electrical inspection. You can find information on legislation and regulations on the government websites, and Standards Australia also has a lot of up to date relevant information.
You can also always reach out to your local electrician for help or information regarding the current electrical codes and regulations.
Our team at Prime Time Electricians are able to maintain a variety of electrical equipment and systems, the most common of which are as follows:
Wiring is known to degrade over time, so it’s important to have an electrician look over it at regular intervals. This is particularly important for the wiring in hard to see places like the walls. Existing wiring can be repaired by a licensed electrician, or a full re-wiring can be completed if necessary.
To read more: How Often Do You Need To Rewire Your Home?
Some of the most important devices for electrical safety are housed in your fuse box. The circuit breakers and the Residual Current Device are responsible for keeping your appliances and yourself safe from overloads and short circuits. And not to mention the fuses themselves, which need to be checked regularly to ensure they are still in working order.
To read more: How Does A RCD Work In A Emergency?
Dishwashers, washing machines, ovens etc. all work best when given some tender love and care, and any electrical damage can be identified and repaired before it poses a danger to you.
Bulbs can blow out and fluorescent lighting loses its effectiveness over time. And sometimes it’s not as simple as just screwing a new bulb in. There’s more that needs to be looked at including the wiring system that powers the gobes. Lighting systems in poor condition can evolve into greater problems if it goes untreated. Often, older fluorescent lighting systems would benefit from an upgrade to LED bulbs, which are more energy efficient and last longer.
To read more: What Are The Benefits Of LED Lights? Why You Should Make The Switch
A bad contact or a cracked power outlet can be much more than a mild inconvenience if allowed to be. Earth leakage can be very dangerous (and costly) and should not be risked. Better to be safe than sorry and get any damaged power outlets repaired as soon as possible.
Our experienced team of electricians can undertake an electrical test and tag to assess the condition of any portable electrical equipment and make any electrical repairs necessary.
The importance of electrical maintenance is high, and electrical work should always be undertaken by a licensed electrician. By attempting electrical maintenance and repairs yourself, not only are you endangering the property and people around you, but you risk making whatever problems which are present worse. Plus you’ll likely void any warranty of your electrical systems and appliances if you attempt DIY work.
So if you need electrical maintenance done, or would like an electrical inspection in Perth, give Prime Time Electricians a call today on 1300 356 200.
