Why You Should Consider Safety Switches in Your Older Home

Do you live in an older home? Many people are fortunate enough to live in a property that been handed down to them from a previous generation and are perfectly happy with the place. However, many older homes do not have specific safety switches installed, of the type that are now mandated by the government for new buildings. While you may not be required to have these in your current place, why should you consider installing them anyway?

Cutting Down on the Risk

These safety switches have to be incorporated into any temporary accommodations such as caravans, or rental properties, as well as newer houses. They are meant to automatically switch off the power to a particular circuit instantaneously, in the event of a risk and will safeguard people from getting an electric shock. As you may know, if you were to come into contact with electricity directly, it would automatically use the body as a type of conduit, to get to "earth." Whenever this happens, the electricity delivery in that circuit will be altered and the safety switch detects that fluctuation and switches the power off in a microsecond. As you can imagine, this type of safeguard would significantly cut down on the risk of serious injury or even worse.

Overall Protection

The main types of safety switch have to be wired in by a qualified electrician. You may consider a switchboard, which has the ability to protect a number of electrical circuits and will include appliances or extension cords connected to them. If a fault arises, only that particular circuit is automatically disarmed, while the other circuits around the house are still operational.

Individual Receptacles

Another type of switch is called the "power point." This will replace individual power receptacles and only protect the appliances or extension cords linked to that socket. It's possible to have these safety switches installed as well as the aforementioned switchboard, for extra protection.

Portable Option

You may also like to consider buying some portable safety switches. These do not have to be installed as such, but can be moved by you from place to place, if you are working in a more risky location using some power tools, for example. You may be working outside in the garden and want to protect yourself with one of these portable devices.

Installation

It's best, however, if you get your entire home protected and get the safety switches installed by an electrician. You will get a certificate of compliance to show that the work has been done and that it's been tested in accordance with national standards.

For more information or assistance, contact a local electrician.