Electrical wires carry the electrical current around our home to the plug sockets, light switches, junction boxes and other electrical accessories. These cables are safely protected by a PVC outer jacket or ‘sheath’ that prevents access to dangerous live wires. This layer of insulation also offers some abrasion resistance.

Electrical systems in our home are installed and then generally left unchecked until something goes wrong. This is the time that many different electrical faults can be discovered. You see, just because an electrical system appears to function normally to the untrained eye, does not mean that there are not hidden dangers with the wiring or electrical equipment.

The consumer unit is a vital part of the electrical system. It carries out many vital functions and protects the electrical wiring and appliances from overload and damage. Consumer units are designed to have a well-fitting cover preventing access to live parts and therefore minimising electric shock risk.

Electrical outlets can be installed almost anywhere so long as the installation does not compromise the safety of those using the electrical system. They should be installed such that no damage could come to them during the normal use of the property or electrical system.

There are numerous possible causes for a FUSEBOX BUZZING NOISE. Sometimes a buzzing noise is not a big issue and there is no reason for alarm but under some circumstances there could be a serious problem that required professional intervention.

The consumer unit is the brains of our electrical system and contains a variety of parts that require upgrading and replacing over time. In the event of a fault, it is the job of the fuse box or consumer unit to turn the power off to prevent fatal electric shock, earth fault, risk of fire and much more.

There is an unmistakeable smell that electricians know well. The smell is a fishy, plastic, pungent odour. If you can smell anything like this from your airing cupboard, your electric box cupboard, or anywhere else in the home then it is an early indicator of a serious electrical problem. A FISHY SMELL IN CUPBOARD should not be ignored!

A trip switch is a device contained in an electrical panel, consumer unit or fuse box. Its purpose is to disconnect the flow of electricity the electrical circuits when there is an electrical fault present. There are many different kinds of trip switch and each has a purpose depending upon the type of electrical fault that occurs.

A MAIN SWITCH BURNT OUT will normally mean that you have a complete and total power loss to your home. The main switch or linked main switch as it is also known, is a key component to the consumer unit, electrical panel or fuse box. The main switch takes the incoming power supply from the mains and sends it to the various components inside the electrical panel. When the main switch is turned off or burnt out, none of the panel will have any power supply but could still be live!

There are a vast array of electrical regulations and building regulations surrounding work in our homes. The very idea of putting electricity so close to water equipment feels wrong, doesn’t it? Its true that water and electricity shouldn’t mix and to do so is likely to result in electric shock, damage to the electrical system and possible fire hazard. That being said, can we install a plug socket this close to a water source? The regulations are clear in some areas and murky in others but we can look at them in more detail.