As a qualified electrician with decades of experience in the electrical industry and as an electrical tutor, I've seen my fair share of electrical hazards that could have been prevented. The question "Are my electrics safe?" isn't always as straightforward as it seems. While some electrical problems are glaringly obvious, many electrical hazards lurk behind walls, in breaker panels, and within seemingly normal electrical devices, waiting to cause electrical fires, electric shock, or worse.

Extension cord or Power Strip: Are They Safe to Use? Extension leads, also known as power strips or electrical extension cords, are pretty much the unsung heroes of modern life. Whether you’re plugging in your laptop, your phone, or your third coffee machine (no judgment), they give you extra outlets where and when you need them. But—and this is a big one—misuse of these handy devices can lead to some serious consequences, including electrical fire risks and electrical shock dangers. As a qualified electrician and electrical industry instructor, I’ve seen what can go wrong when extension cords are used improperly. We’re talking everything from minor singes to major house fires. So, in this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to use extension cords safely—whether you’re at home, at work, or somewhere in between.

Top 10 Reasons for an EICR fail - Expert Insight. Every property that contains an electrical system should be tested and inspected from time to time. Every property that contains an electrical system should be tested and inspected from time to time. The frequency of testing recommended or required will depend upon the type of property, its use, and risks to the users of the electrical systems. Additionally, the local authority in the area within the which the property is situated may have additional requirements as is often the case with rental property. The best way to check the electrical system is safe, limit the risk of electric shocks and faulty wiring is to have the property professionally inspected to compare its condition with modern electrical safety standards. This is done through a periodic electrical inspection that produces a document called an EICR or Electrical Installation Condition Report. ​The report will often contain several classification codes and each classification code reflects the severity of the situation discovered by the inspector. In this article we will look at the 10 most common reasons why an EICR would be returned as UNSATISFACTORY or FAIL.

Bonding Earthing Grounding - Do my pipes need earthing? It is a common misconception that all pipework should be earthed. In many cases, metallic pipework WILL require a connection to earth in order to avoid a dangerous voltage appearing during an electrical fault but in some cases, pipework will NOT need to be connected to the earthing. Let me explain...

Shower pull cord switch stuck, light on. How to fix? If you find that your shower pull cord switch is stuck, the best solution is to have it replaced with a new switch. An electric shower circuit is a powerful electrical circuit that can cause issues if there are faulty components installed. Shower switches are prone to failure on electric shower circuits and are not generally repairable. If the light is still on then it’s showing that there is power to the pull cord switch. There is NOT an easy fix and the switch will usually require replacement.

Sparking Outlet: Is it Dangerous? Why are there sparks? A sparking outlet can be dangerous under many circumstances. If the spark only occurs when you plug in a piece of equipment that begins to run immediately then the spark is likely to be caused by the electricity jumping the gap as the pins connect into the socket. If the sparking occurs under normal operation with or without equipment connected then there is definitely something to be worried about.

Electrical Outlets. How long should they last? Electrical Outlets should last around 20-30 years assuming they are not overloaded, misused, and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. There are circumstances that may affect the lifespan of the outlets such as frequent circuit breaker trips, heavy loading, dusty or dirty conditions, moisture ingress and loose connections. We also have to consider the original build quality of the electrical outlets when considering how long they will last. Whilst there are minimum standards to which electrical outlets are constructed, better build quality and materials used during the original construction will mean a longer life when all things are considered. Click offer a 25 year warranty on their mode range

It doesn’t cost much to run an Electric Blanket. Typically the costs are around 10-20 pence per night. The costs can vary depending upon the cost of your electricity, the size of the blanket and the frequency of its use. We will have a look at the calculations for running costs of an electric blanket in this article.

11 Signs you need to call an electrician immediately. Electrical Emergency? Here's what to do...

Why is my light switch buzzing, causes and how to fix - Your light switch may be buzzing because of loose connections causing arcing, dimmer switches, a fault at the circuit breaker end or due to faulty wiring. There are many causes of a buzzing light switch so its important to understand WHICH are a danger and which are normal.