An electrical inspection in your home could be beneficial for various reasons. As the cabling is hidden inside your walls, it is difficult to detect any potential problems. Because of this, dangerous electrical issues can arise without warning.
Electrical problems are the leading cause of property damage in Australian household fires, with poor home wiring one of the leading causes of accidental electrocutions when small appliances are connected.
Fortunately, electrical home inspections can quickly identify, contain, and prevent most of these hazards, making these checks critical. But how often should we be organising a check of our home electrical systems?
What does an electrical inspection check involve?
An electrical system inspection consists of a detailed examination of the electrical system in your home. In particular, it involves carefully examining all the electrical cables, systems, and appliances in your home to ensure they’re in excellent working order and comply with local regulations.
After a thorough examination of your home’s electrical system, the qualified electrician should provide you with specific details on areas that require immediate attention to get your system up to code.
Depending on the outcome, there may be a need for some electrical components or systems to be improved, upgraded, or even replaced. An adequate electrical inspection should include at least the following:
- Check to see if your home has any unprotected wiring
- Identify outdated wiring
- Identification of potential electrical hazards
- Inspect the electrical components for any non-compliant parts
- Test the safety switches
- Check your power box
- Test the outlets and lighting
- Find out if your property has any DIY wiring
- An assessment of the level of electrical service
- Verifying the correct wattage of a light bulb
- Checking to see if grounding systems are in place
- Examine your outdoor electrical systems
- Checking that surge protection is working properly
As you can see, there is a lot of complexity involved in this process. Only a highly qualified and experienced professional should be contacted and booked to complete the inspection. Make sure you do your homework well before contacting anyone so that you can be sure that they are fully qualified to complete these checks.
Is it time for my electrical system to be inspected?
This question is crucial. Many homeowners don’t know or are uncertain of the correct time to have their home’s electrical system inspected.
Are you living in an old property?
Electrical wiring has a limited lifespan, just like all other parts of your home. Electrical systems typically last between thirty and forty years. Around one-third of Australian homes still have the same wiring after over fifty years, which is concerning as well as dangerous.
Furthermore, the wiring system in old homes may not meet the electrical needs of a modern home. You likely have a lot of power-hungry appliances in your house, including smart TVs, electric ovens, mobile phones, dryers, home theatres, and more. An old home is likely to have problems such as:
- Frequently blowing fuses
- Frequently tripping breaker
- Power outages regularly
To meet your home’s electrical requirements, your electrical system should be large enough. In addition, the wiring should be grounded and functioning properly.
Regular home maintenance should include electrical inspections
Wiring and electrical systems should be maintained regularly – annually is best. Your house’s electrical system should be examined for the normal functioning of power outlets, electrical switches, and circuit breakers.
We already mentioned that electrical issues are always hidden and may only appear occasionally. Fortunately, a routine electrical inspection can assist homeowners in identifying underlying problems with their homes before they become dangerous.
Has your home been damaged by flooding or storms?
Flooding and storm damage to your home’s electrical system can cause severe problems. Flood or storm-caused electrical problems can pose a threat to your safety.
If you experience a severe weather event, you should schedule an electrical inspection immediately. You will be able to determine what has been damaged and what needs to be repaired.
One might argue that these are the most critical scenarios that require a home electrical inspection. However, you should also inspect the electrical system when purchasing a new home. If there are any problems, you can negotiate accordingly. Electrical inspections are a necessity for every house for a variety of reasons.
Looking for expert electricians in Dubbo?
O'Brien Electrical Dubbo is your local expert when it comes to everything electrical. We’ve provided expert electrical services in Dubbo and the surrounding area for over 25 years.
Whether a small domestic job or a large commercial project, we handle all our clients’ electrical and data needs. Because our electricians are highly qualified and experienced across a wide range of electrical industries, we can provide a wide range of electrical services to our customers to the highest standard.