Professional Safety Switch Installations & Repairs
O’Brien Electrical & Air Conditioning Bendigo offers expert installation, repairs and testing of residential and commercial safety switches throughout Bendigo and the surrounding region.
RCD safety switches are an essential component of your home’s electrical system and ensure the safety of your family or tenants.
Our fully qualified and licensed electricians in Bendigo are available 24/7 and can assist with a complete range of home electrical services.
Get in touch with us today. Request a quote online or call us at your convenience.
Call Us 03 5442 1455
Safety Switch Testing
Regular testing of your safety switches is an important part of keeping your Bendigo home or business safe.
You can test your safety switch by pressing the T button on the RCD. This should flip it into the OFF position, cutting electricity, You can reset the switch by returning it to the ON position.
If your RCD won’t reset, you may have a faulty appliance or a more serious issue. If this happens, it’s best to call a licensed electrician as soon as possible.
Our trained and experienced technicians can help you find and remedy any electrical issues on your property. Most importantly, do not try to perform electrical repairs yourself.
Safety Switch Installation
While new homes are required to have safety switches installed on every circuit, many older homes only have one safety switch installed.
At O’Brien Electrical & Air Conditioning Bendigo, we provide professional RCD installation to keep your home safe and offer you peace of mind. We also provide testing and repairs to ensure your device is working just the way it should.
We can also assess your property’s switchboard to ensure that the rest of your system is both safe and up to standard. Depending on the age of your property or wear and tear, it may be time to perform a switchboard upgrade.
Talk To Our Team Today
If you’d like to talk to us about our specific services for electrical safety switches in Bendigo, get in touch with our local, expert electricians today.
We offer electrical services in Bendigo and throughout the region.
With a highly experienced team dedicated to outstanding workmanship and great customer service, you can’t go wrong when you book with O’Brien Electrical & Air Conditioning Bendigo.
Call Us 03 5442 1455
Safety Switches FAQs
How do safety switches work?
Safety switches pick up any loss of power coming from a power circuit and cut the electricity supply in a matter of milliseconds. Why so fast? This response time is critical to greatly reduce the risk of death or injury when you accidentally come into contact with a compromised circuit.
Aren’t safety switches the same as circuit breakers?
No. While circuit breakers offer protection for your appliances and electrical fixtures, they don’t protect you. If there’s a faulty circuit, your circuit breaker usually won’t stop the flow of current. Only safety switches are able to do this, preventing injuries and saving lives.
Do I have a safety switch?
You can check if there’s a safety switch on your property by looking at your switchboard. Safety switches come with a test button which will be visible from the front. If you don’t see any devices with this function, you likely have circuit breakers rather than safety switches.
How do I know if my safety switch is working?
To check your safety switch, it’s recommended to use the test feature a couple of times a year to make sure your switch effectively cuts the power. We recommend you time this along with changes to Daylight Savings Time so that you don’t forget. And if you’ve experienced a power outage, you could easily test your safety switch after your power comes back on but before you’ve reset your appliances.
Will my safety switch protect me?
Most Australian homes feature safety switches on their power outlet or lighting circuits. Pool, air-conditioning, hot water and stove circuits are often not protected. To make sure you and your family are as safe as possible, we recommend installing safety switches on every circuit. If you do receive an electric shock from a protected circuit, you might still feel the current and experience some pain, but you will be much more likely to survive than if the circuit is unprotected. Ultimately, while safety switches will keep you safe, they should not replace common sense.
How many safety switches should I have installed in my home?
Every state and territory issues differing laws regarding the required number of safety switches. But every circuit in your home be fitted with safety switches. This goes beyond your light fixtures and power points to include your stove, air-conditioning unit, hot water system, pool pump, and more.
How much does it cost to install a safety switch?
The cost of installation will vary depending on particular factors, such as the number of switches you’re having installed. You’ll need to have your safety switch installed by a licensed electrician, and you will usually be paying standard service fees for the installation job. Depending on the size and quality of your home’s switchboards, you might need upgrades which will increase your expenses. Our friendly team can help explore your needs and issue an accurate quote.
Are safety switches reliable?
Yes. Safety switches are declared under the Electricity Act of every state. This means that manufacturers must submit formal reports on the function of their safety switch, which are then compared against the Australian Standards to make sure they comply. Safety switches are only approved for use if they meet regulations, and it’s only then they can be sold. As you can imagine, the requirements of testing and compliance mean the reliability of safety switches is truly something manufacturers take seriously.
Why do I need to test safety switches in my home?
It’s important you regularly test your safety switch to ensure they still work. You could choose to test them according to clock changes with Daylight Savings Time, or when you receive your electricity bills. If you think testing your safety switch is complicated, think again. All you’ll need to do is push the button marked ‘T’ or ‘Test’. This should trip the safety switch and it should close and reset. It’s important to note that some of your appliances, like a clock radio, might need to be reset after you test the safety switch.
What if I’m not able to reset my safety switch?
If you can’t reset a safety switch in your home, you likely have a fault in your circuit. You’ll need a qualified electrician to inspect the situation and provide a quality repair.
How long will my safety switch last?
Australian standards dictate safety switches should be made to last up to 4,000 tests. Unless your device is faulty, it should last for a significant period.
I live in a rental property – who should check my switches?
Your landlord is responsible for installing and maintaining safety switches. They might choose to do this during their property inspection.
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