Month: October 2017

There are times when you will need to change a light fitting such as when the old one is faulty. This can be a simple task if you know what the correct steps to take are. It is important that you are safe when you change a light fitting.

Turn Off The Power

For safety reasons, the first step in changing a light fitting is to turn off the power at the mains. Just turning off the light switch is not enough as the wires in the fitting will still have access to power. It is also important that you advise everyone in your home that you will be working on the light fittings and that they should not turn the power back on.

Remove The Light Cover

Once the power is off, you need to remove the light bulb from the current fitting. You should then carefully remove the fitting cover to expose the wires inside it. At this point, you need to note each wire so they can be replaced in the same position in your new light fitting. You should also consider taking a picture with your phone as this will make wiring the new fitting easier.

Remove The Wiring

After noting the location of the wires, you will need to remove the wires. To do this, you need to use an insulated screwdriver and unscrew each of the wires from the terminal. It is important that you use an insulated screwdriver to avoid any shocks from residue power.

Unscrew The Mounting Plate

Once the wires have been removed, you can remove the mounting plate. To do this, you will need to unscrew the plate and then loosen it. You need to be careful when removing the plate as you do not want to damage the ceiling.

Replace The Wire

If you see any obvious damage to the wires, you need to cut off the end of the damaged wire. Once you have made this cut, you will have to strip back some of the insulation to expose enough of the copper wire to secure in the new fitting. After doing this, you can place the new mounting plate onto the ceiling and replace the wires into their correct place.

Replace The Cover

Once the wiring has been replaced, you need to screw the cover of the new fitting in place. You can then fit a light bulb and turn the mains back on. You should then test your work by turning the light on.

So you have a list of electricians and have settled on two viable technicians who to you, have equal qualifications, reputation, and prices. But the only issue is one of them is an unlicensed electrician, which may not seem like a big issue. However, not having a license is a red flag for various dangers associated with working such an electrician. Licensure for working as an electrical technician is only obtained after undergoing the required training for the profession. Below are some of the dangers of not using a licensed electrician.

• Risk Of Property Damage
Electrical issues significantly increase the possibility of property damage. An electrical spark can be all it takes to start an unexpected fire that reduces an entire building to ashes. Such an outcome increases profoundly when an unlicensed electrician claims to have fixed the electrical faults. The job may not be to the required standards owing to the electrician’s lack of adequate professional training.

• Risk Of Injuries Or Death
As per the law, it is important for property owners to ensure that they adhere to existing building codes which include the proper installation of electrical wiring, power supply and distribution system and electric fittings. If any of these are not up to code, they place the lives of the people occupying the building at risk; a faulty electrical wiring or fittings can shock a person to death or cause severe injuries.

• No license? No insurance!
Fires caused by faulty wiring and electrical installations are an avoidable thing that is possible by taking proper precautions. If a fire was to occur in your home and the insurer finds out that is was caused by faulty electrical installations or wiring done by an unlicensed electrician, you may lose out on your compensation. The result of such an outcome will mean that you will have lost your property along with an opportunity to get back on your feet, financially.

The Verdict
The installation of electrical wiring and fittings should always be done after obtaining a permit for such work. If you venture into doing the job without the required permit and have the work handled by an unlicensed electrician, your insurance company may cancel your coverage and deny the claims. Licensed electricians know the value of working with proper permits since they also can be put to blame and arrested for not adhering to their professional work ethics and placing lives at risk.

Smoke alarms can save lives as long as they are properly installed and maintained. They offer one of the most effective and inexpensive warnings in case a fire starts in your home. The fact that smoke alarms are important is not in doubt, but it is still important to choose the right brand to ensure that you are alerted as quickly as possible in case of a fire and avoid annoying false alarms.

Here are the best smoke alarm brands:

1. First Alert

First Alert manufactures both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms as well as dual-sensor smoke detectors. Smoke detectors from the brand come with a 10-years limited warranty and produce 75 decibels. Some models have remote-control function that allows you to test the system with a TV or radio remote.

2. Kiddie

Kiddie also manufactures photoelectric, ionization, and dual-sensor smoke detectors. The warranty coverage on its products depends on the model, so ensure that you check the warranty details on the packaging. The brand also offers units that can be hardwired into the electrical supply of your home as well as a backup battery while others run exclusively on battery power. Kiddie’s alarms produce 85 decibels of sound. Kiddie acquired its rival FireX in 2007. Prior to this FireX was one of the most widely installed smoke alarm brand in the United States.

3. Nest Protect

Nest Protect manufactures distinctively square shaped smoke detectors unlike the usual round. The smoke detectors come in very cool white and black and can be connected to your Wi-Fi network to send updates and alerts to the accompanying Nest app that can be installed in a smartphone or tablet. Smoke detectors from the brand are capable of detecting different types of fire.

4. Universal Security Instruments (USI)

USI’s smoke detectors are round in shape and come with a 10-year limited warranty that offers replacements or repairs in case of a defective alarm. The smoke detectors from the brand have to be wired into the electrical system of your home and run on 120 V of AC power. Smoke detectors from USI are a great choice for the home due to the ability to respond quickly to smoldering and flaming fires.

The Bottom Line

Unexpected dangers in your home especially the threat of fire can be quite scary. A fire that burns undetected could mean the loss of your home, belongings, and worst of all possibly a member of the family. Smoke detectors save lives every day and the above mentioned brands are the best when it comes to protecting those or that you cherish most.

Faulty wiring inside the home is never something that should be taken lightly. It poses a direct and indirect danger to you and everyone inside the home. Unfortunately, everyone can’t be electrical experts. But there are certain things you can look for that can indicate whether the house needs re-wiring. In this article, you will learn more about spotting danger areas, and when it’s time to call in the experts.

Basic House Re-Wiring Rules

– How Old Is The Structure?

The age of the structure plays a critical part in the re-wiring cycle. The general rule is that when a house is forty years or older, a re-wiring job is necessary. If it can’t be proven that the house was re-wired during this time, make it happen.

– Two Prong Sockets

Two prong sockets are outdated and dangerous.

– Perished Wires And Cracks

If you can spot damaged sockets, perished wires and cracks, it’s a definite sign to get the wiring tested at the very least.

Some Common Signs To Look For

Now that you are aware of what experts typically look at first when they walk into a house, there are other signs you can you utilize without having to spend money.

– Count The Sockets

A good place to start would be checking the rooms and count the sockets in each one. If they average between one and two, the styling of the original wire can be old and outdated.

– Hot Sockets

If you can feel a socket getting hot, especially when you use it, it’s a definite sign something is very wrong.

– Flashes And Burning Smells

You can not miss the flash a socket makes, or the burning smell it gives off when used.

– Fuse Box Design

It shouldn’t be too difficult to spot whether the fuse box inside the house is modern and new. However, it doesn’t speak to the rest of the wiring.

– Damaged Boxes And Fitting Conditions

Take a moment to look at the other equipment that is used with wiring a house. Are the fittings in good condition? Does anything look damaged and simply put, very old?

If you come across any of the above-mentioned situations and examples, know that immediate attention is required. Even if your specific problem doesn’t pose an immediate threat, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

And if you are not certified to work with high-voltage electricity, don’t attempt at re-wiring the house yourself.