Brisbane Electrician Explains That Safety Switches Need Maintenance Too

Most people take their safety switches for granted really. They sit out in the electrical switchboard all year long out of site, out of mind. It is only when they periodically trip does anyone give them much thought. But without a proper functioning safety switch in your home, your household electrical safety is at risk. Wouldn't it make sense to check your safety switch every now and then to ensure it is still working the way it should the day it was installed?

A safety switch which is not checked for correct operation periodically is more likely to fail when needed most. Like most mechanical devices, they are prone to 'stick' when the mechanism hasn't been operated in a while. Our Electricians at Prestige Power recommend your safety switches be checked at least every 6 months, and preferably every 3 months.

Thankfully, this is a task easily and safely performed by yourself. Every household safety switch has a 'Test' button on the front of the device, usually marked with the letter 'T'. Simply press this test button momentarily, and if the safety switch is operating correctly, the toggle on the device will activate and trip. When this toggle trips, your safety switch will cut power to the household electrical circuits it is connected to. To restore power, simply push the toggle back to the 'On' position. TIP: You will notice a fair bit of resistance on the toggle switch when you are re-engaging it, especially as you near the 'On' position. This is perfectly normal. Just continue to push the toggle all the way to the 'On' position until it stays there by itself.

Note: When you go to test your safety switch, you may like to ensure that everyone in the household is aware the power is going off to ensure no data is lost on computers etc.

We recommend you coincide the testing of your safety switches with a memorable date, such as when your electricity bill comes in every quarter. Whatever way it is you like to remember, ensure you test your own safety switch every 3-6 months. There is no use having a safety switch unless it works.

On the off-chance that the safety switch fails to trip when you press the 'Test' button, please call our Electricians immediately on 1300 761 141 to come around and replace it for you. Don't be fooled by thinking you have a new house and wiring and naturally assume your safety switches work properly. Our Brisbane Electricians have many a time identified safety switches less than a year old that failed. Please check your safety switch today.

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