Dimmers are relatively old devices. Granville Woods patented a “Safety Dimmer” in 1896 in order to substantially reduce energy usage. Saving energy is actually the first reason on our list of reasons why you should install dimmer switches throughout your home.

The biggest advantage to dimmer switches is that they can reduce energy consumption and costs by allowing you greater control over your lighting. Traditional light switches only have two options—on (100% power) and off (0% power). However, if you want to save electricity, you have an entire spectrum of settings in between to choose from. For example, if your family is watching a movie in the living room, you don’t need the lights all the way up to see where the popcorn bowl is. Instead of leaving the living room light on during the entire movie, you can turn it down to maybe 40%.

One of the benefits of controlling the amount of power your lightbulb gets is also controlling the ambiance. In the above example, the family watching the movie managed the level of lighting in the room, allowing the living room to turn into a makeshift theater. Likewise, if a couple wanted to have a romantic dinner, they could lower the lighting in the dining room to 30% instead of relying on the dim illumination of a couple of candles.

If you are looking to remodel, expand or sell your home, there's a good chance you will have a close encounter with your local building code. These laws can be extensive, confusing and change frequently. The code is there for your safety, but it can still be frustrating to deal with. Older homes in particular are likely to have outdated technology that wouldn't pass a current inspection. Before embarking on a project, take time to understand what the laws are and how they can affect you.

What Is Building Code?

Just about anything you want to do to your home beyond cosmetic changes probably has a corresponding law. Building code covers a number of standards mostly related to safety, including but not limited to HVAC, the electric system, plumbing, the structural integrity of the building and fire safety. If you own a rental unit, there are probably additional standards that you are required to meet before accepting tenants.

Of course, specific housing codes vary by municipality, although most are based on models like the International Residential Code and the National Electric Code. Go to your city or town  website or visit the building department for more information. You can also look up many city and municipality codes from around the country on a website called Municode.

Is My Old Electric Wiring Safe?

The electric code is one of the most important pieces of building code, because failing to comply can endanger your home and property. Some common violations include improperly sized connections, overfilling outlet boxes, not properly grounding and not spacing outlets correctly.

Many code problems require only a simply fix, but others can be a much bigger undertaking. For example, old houses may conduct electricity on knob and tube wiring, which became obsolete in the 1940s. This type of wiring can put your home at risk and isn't equipped to handle high power loads typical in modern homes. If you still have knob and tube, you may discover an expensive upgrade is necessary when it's time to sell the house.

The laws governing electric systems are complex and confusing to many homeowners. The national code on which most cities base their own laws is 1,000 pages long -- far more than the average home DIY-er is able to digest. You could inadvertently run afoul of the law by doing something as simple as replacing a light fixture without upgrading the wiring to the most recent standards. It’s wise to consult a qualified electrician before undertaking a project  so you don’t find yourself in over your head – and on the wrong side of the law.

What if I'm Out of Compliance? 

If you have an older home that doesn't meet the current laws, don't panic. Usually older buildings are grandfathered in when the codes are updated. However, if you want to modify or replace parts of the house, you might be required to do additional work to bring any outdated aspects into compliance.

Do your research so you understand when you need to pull a permit or bring in a city inspector. Talk to local officials up front so they can help you understand how to proceed. When in doubt, hire a qualified professional experienced in local housing laws to let you know where you are up to code and in what areas you fall short.

Your local Mister Sparky® electricians are always here to help. We can advise you on bringing your home into compliance with local laws and do the work for you. Give us a call for more information.

A safety switch is essentially a device that very quickly switches-off the electricity in case any electrical fault is detected. In effect, it reduces the risk of injury & death caused by contact with electricity. Current day safety switches are very different from the ones used even up until a decade ago. Today, it’s mandatory to have these installed in buildings where any kind of electrical addition or upgrade has taken place.

Apart from this, safety switches are also needed for power outlets that that supply electricity to mobile homes like caravans etc. It’s not mandatory to have these safety switches in older homes; however, the recommendation is that you should consider getting them installed. It is one of the most effective ways to protect your family & yourself from electric shock.

ELCBs or Earth-leakage circuit breakers are safety devices used to prevent shock in electrical fixtures which have high Earth impedance. The current installations use the circuit breakers that directly detect leakage in current. Here are some features of an ELCB:

RCDs or RCCBs are essentially modern electrical wiring devices which quickly disconnect a circuit if they detect that there is an imbalance in the current between the energized conductor/s & the return conductor. They are designed to immediately switch-off the electricity supply when the electricity leaking to earth is detected to be at harmful levels. These devices offer very high levels of protection from electric shock.

Voltage Earth-leakage circuit breakers were first introduced around 60 years ago, while the current ELCBs were launched only around 40 years ago. For a very long time, voltage-operated ELCBs & differential current-operated ELCBs were both called ELCBs; this was because it was a far easier term to remember. However, as expected, this common name caused a significant amount of confusion within the electrical industry.

If someone accidently used the wrong one in a particular application, the installations may not get the kind of protection it needed. It was to eliminate this confusion that the International Electrotechnical Commission decided that the differential current-operated ELCBs will be termed as RCD (residual current devices). Any current that’s over & above the load current is referred to as the residual current.

ELCBs have a number of disadvantages such as:

Today the RCD is preferred means of providing effective shock protection. The term is also most widely used across the globe.

For more information about RCDs and the best electrical solutions, call Allround Electrical at 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address. You may also reach us through this online contact form.

Thanks for reading,1300 169 263

The need for upgrading electrical wiring in homes is becoming more prevalent these days as homeowners use more and more devices and appliances that require additional electricity. Long gone are the days when kitchen appliances, one television set, and a few lamps were the primary electrical draws. Now, there are multiple device chargers, multiple televisions, computers, video game consoles, and more to plug into outlets throughout the home. Upgrading electrical wiring will ensure you can continue accessing the electricity you need safely and efficiently.

If you live in an older home, the need for new electrical wiring may be even more urgent, because wiring from 30 years ago can typically not support modern day electrical needs. Faulty or problematic wiring is a leading cause of residential fires, so this is definitely not something to put off if you think there may be an issue.

Signs that you need professional assistance for upgrading electrical wiring and even emergency electrical help include:

Whether you are dealing with an emergency situation or just think it’s time to upgrade the electrical wiring in your home, you may be wondering what you can expect when you schedule an appointment. First, an expert electrician will come to your home to ensure your wiring system is capable of handling all of your current electrical needs. If he discovers it is not, he will notify you of your need for an upgrade in the electrical panel and/or wiring. You may also need to upgrade electrical receptacles and fixtures.

From there, you can expect the following:

If you want to learn more about upgrading electrical wiring in your home or are ready to schedule an appointment for our professional electrical services, contact us today.