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House Fires - how electrically safe is your home? Here we are in the middle of July and winter is in full swing. As an electrician I consider winter the most dangerous season for fires as electrical faults are common causes. We often hear on the news during this time of year the amount of house/unit fires occur. This past weekend (12 July 2015 Channel 7 News) 15 house fires in NSW were reported just in a matter of 48 hours. It is essential to realise the importance of property maintenance, particularly electrical maintenance to ensure that the potential for fire break outs is minimised. Why so many house fires in N.S.W.? Well, it can come down to bad luck, or a lack of awareness. Many people think that their electrical switch board and all electrical devices in their home, including fuses or circuit breakers, power points, stove, electric heaters or air conditioners, are safe. However, over the years wear and tear occurs in all electrical parts and it is importance that everybody has their electrical systems inspected at least every 2-3 years to prevent electrical fires in switch boards, kitchens and bedrooms or accidental electrocution from fault switch boards. In Australia, many people still die as a consequence of electrocution due to the simple fact that they have no safety switch installed on their property, or by fires caused by electrical appliances/parts that been not properly installed. Furthermore, in many cases, a potential fire can be avoided by safety switches which stop electrical currents from sparking a fire in faulty appliances. There is currently no regulation in Australia about the maintenance of your home’s electrical system and the need to continually have your property inspected and checked on a regular basis for any potential problems. It is important that you ask your electrician for a full inspection and testing of appliances, as many do not do so on minor installation jobs such as power point or light fitting replacement. My message to you is simple: to be electrically safe in your home as it may one day save your life by preventing a house fire. Have your home inspected by a licensed electrical contractor. Paul RoJess Electrical Albion Park Rail 0412214259?

CEILING FAN AND LIGHT FITTINGS - ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION OR REPLACEMENT. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO HAVE A QUALITY ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION BY A GOOD ELECTRICIAN. Every summer many people require electrical installation or replacement of light fittings and ceiling fans. For most, the first thing that comes to mind when considering these electrical jobs is how much will it cost, then how cheap can a get it installed? But not many people think of considering the right electrician for the electrical installation that will carry out the work properly and meet Australian Electrical Regulations to be safe, secure and trouble free for years to come. These days, 15 to 40 years old homes are the most common place where you find the need to upgrade light fittings and ceiling fans, kitchens and switch boards. I am a licensed electrician and an electrical contractor in Albion Park since 1992, specialising in domestic installations. Over the years I have find that majority of electrical installation/upgrades have been done with only one concern in mind, “cost”. People do the best to find that cheapest price, believing that a cheaper price will not affect the quality or safety of the electrical work they are considering. Most are neglecting to find out what exactly they are paying for and what they get in return. Here are the facts: 1) Is estimated that over 30 % of all light fittings/ceiling fans are installed by unqualified people which is illegal under Australian Law and also dangerous to your family and your property. Furthermore, it can also be the cause of house fires. As we know, we all have a friend that might be able to do the job because they are a ‘good handyman’ or just a mate that has knowledge of ‘electrical stuff’ - after all, what is so complicated about a light fittings or a ceiling fan installation, most of the time we only need to connect 3 wires. 2) Is estimated that 50% of all light fittings/ceiling fans are installed by so called “electrician” who are not directly involved in the domestic electrical industry and may be doing so for some extra money on the side. Following the job, these “electricians” are hard to track down in the event you have some problems with the work they have done. These “electricians” stand out because they charge very low labour costs. 3) Is estimated that only 20% of all light fittings/ceiling fans are installed by professional and qualified electricians with experience in electrical house wiring. These electricians are local electrical contractors with years of knowledge and experience and complete any ceiling fans/light fittings or any upgrades in accordance to the standard and regulations of Australia Wiring Standards. So let’s talk about a good electrical installation and what you need to know: 1) All electrical fittings that have a metal frame must be connected to your Earth wire line. 2) If an Earth wire line is not present in your lights circuit one must be installed. 3) If any damage existing cable is to be found, it must be repaired and extended if needed, to allow proper installation of the new fitting. 4) All electrical fittings must me strongly secured to your ceiling, timber frame or wall. 5) All electrical fittings installed by a licensed electrician must be tested and must comply with current Australia Wiring Rules AS/NZL 3000 2007. 6) All electrical fittings installed after 2000 in any light circuit must have a safety switch installed. Over the years, I have come across many low quality jobs, just to mention some: - A ceiling fan with no earth wire - Additional lights installed with no safety switches - Lights fitting connected with reverse polarity - Found light fitting frame “alive” connected direct to active loop - Ceiling fan falling off ceiling. Whoever completed these installations is not important - what is important is your safety and the safety of your home and that customers are taking the step to ensure the electrical system in the home is in the best condition possible and that every job small or big has been done to the highest quality. In conclusion a good electrician will take notice of things that are not right in your electrical system, will communicate, share knowledge and information but most of all, give you the right advise that will save you not only money in the long term but prevent larger and more expensive electrical repairs in the future. It is important to ensure you are using a Licensed Electrician in light fitting and ceiling fan installation. Paul RoJess Electrical ? 0412 214 259 visit roJess Electrical googles +

SAFETY SWITCH ON LIGHT CIRCUITS 2014 has just ended and I have decided to write this article about Safety Switches on light circuits and their importance of have one in your property . One of the most common issues I have come across during electrical inspections, or when I have been called out to carry any electrical work, are switch boards that have been upgraded in the last few years with the installation of Safety Switches on power points circuits but not on light circuits. Firstly, in all cases, costumers have extended work carried out on light circuits such as an upgraded light fitting, the installation of ceiling fans, down lights, bathroom heaters or additional outdoor lights. What is even scarier is that most people are not aware of all electrical rules about addition or upgraded light fittings to light circuits. Many believe that the last electrician who carried out the work has done the right thing and that if there was a need for safety switches on light circuits that they would have advised their customer. Unfortunately, I am sorry to say that does not happen 95 % of the time. Picture 1: Uncompleted switch board upgrade with no Safety Switch on light circuit. Here are some of the reasons when you ask for a quote to have some lights or ceiling fans installed, that the requirements of a safety switch installation is overlook by many electricians: 1) Some electricians will not advise about safety switch installation and requirements due the extra costs involved to have them installed. This is because it will affect the price quoted to you which will make them seem like they charge a higher price against the quotes of other electricians. 2) Many people wish to have light fittings or ceiling fan installed on a budget and cannot afford the additional costs for safety switch installation. 3) Some electricians will not mention safety switch requirements because they do not have time to advise you and are rushed for time in order to complete your job and go to the next job. 4) Some people have electrical work carried out by an unlicensed electrician, handyman or friends that aren’t qualified to carry out this work and does not always know the rules and regulations of the electrical industry. Here are some of the most important reasons why not having a safety switch properly installed in light circuits is dangerous to the customer: 1) A customer might attempt to self install light fittings and even if have knowledge of how to connect the fitting it put their life at risk due to electrocution. This also puts their property at risk due to a change of starting an electrical fire by working on a light circuit which is partially “Alive” ( Fuse or Switch OFF but with Neutral Current in the Circuit still connected) or in same case “Alive”( Power ON with Active and Neutral still connected to Mains). With the protection of a safety switch this can be avoided. 2) Some costumers have safety switches installed in their switch boards and believe that this safety switch was also installed on light circuits, when in reality where not. In many cases, according to costumers no one ever told them otherwise or explained to them why it is needed. 3) Some costumer believes that a Plug in Circuit Breaker or Circuit Breakers is a Safety Switch in themselves, so they think they are protected. (Picture 2: existing fuse base with plug in Circuit Breaker. Picture 3: Circuit Breakers) 4) Some costumer have their switch board upgraded but no safety switches installed in the light circuits, sometimes because it a faulty or because of old wiring that is in very bad condition. This is still not a good reason, and it is important to address the problem and maintain a safe electrical system throughout the house. I can carry on and on about many other reasons why this important electrical devise (Safety Switch) is not in your switch board box, but I will mention a few good reasons why you should have it. 1) Most of all it is the law that in an existing property ( house /flat/unit/office/shop/work shop) where you decide to add any light fitting or similar device such as ceiling fan, outdoor light or bathroom heater, that your existing light circuit should have a Safety Switch installed to protect such light fittings. 2) It will save your life in the event that for any reason you’re fitting becomes faulty or your fitting comes into contact with a live cable. Also in some case there is not Earth connection present to your fitting or the earth connection has not been connect correctly and it is important to have a safety switch installed for this reason. (Picture 4 and 5 an existing ceiling fan inspected as it was not working - find Earth connection missing on the top metal frame) (Picture 6 the Earth wiring properly connected) 3) Safety switches can detect an imbalanced flow of electricity to the earth wiring that can happen at any time. This can be due to water which has seeped through fittings, by damage caused by rodents to your cables, or the accumulation of dust and humidity that has gotten inside your fitting. Furthermore it can also be faulty due to its wear and tear after many years. The safety switch will turn off in such events warning you about the possible fault in the lights circuit. 4) Safety switches can prevent some electrical fires by turning off the power, warning you of possibility of a fault within your lights circuit line or fittings. 5) Safety Switches save lives. It has saved mine on many occasions, will save yours too. It makes your home safe for everyone so that simple things like change a light bulb or cleaning a fitting can be done without the possibility of life threatening electrocution. I hope that I have provided you with some insight into the importance of the installation safety switches on light circuits. I would like to conclude by asking you the following question: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD YOUR HOUSE ELECTRICALLY INSPECTED BY A LICENCED ELECTRICIAN? Paul RoJess Electrical 0412214259 or visit rojesselectrical googles +

POWER POINTS when and way the need to be tested. House Fires still occur in increasing numbers, year after year and we are all wondering why so many are occurring and the reasons behind them. The most common reason for house fires in Australia is related to electrical faults. Yes, electrical faults which occur within the electrical wiring system or within any electrical device (power point, light switches, main switch fuses, appliances etc.) People do not know that faulty power points are the most common problem these days and people do not understand the risk they take with electrical fires occurring because power point are became faulty or damaged for many reason here is some information that may change your view about power point electrical testing and inspections. The quality of the power point you have in your house is important, some come with as long as 7 years warranty but the warranty does not guarantee you that the power point will last the long. Specifically, the life span of a power point depends not only on the quality but also the way in which it has been electrically and mechanically installed, its location, usage and electrical load applied over time. I have inspected and tested power points installed in the 1960s and have found them to be 100%, electrically and mechanically, in good working condition. I also been inspected and tested power point less than 12 month old and have found them to be internally faulty, burned out because they are not properly installed or overloaded or they are mechanically, and electrically, falling apart. ( Pic 1: A 2012-2013 Laundry power point in house renovation: Inspected and tested in 2016 - excessive leakage was detected , power point wiring connections were unprotected and illegally done - repair was made immediately due to high risk of fire and electrocution.) In most cases costumers that notice a problem with their power points, they will have them replaced as soon as possible. In other cases people experience an electrical shock before they call an electrician to investigate or a loss of power where an electrician is needed . Those are the lucky cases. In most cases you will not notice or experience any problems with the power point until it is too late and the damage to your wiring as been done – pushing the point of starting an electrical fire inside your wall cavity. In some other case people experience electrical shocks. To make things worse, most of all houses built from 1960 to 1980 still do not have safety switches installed on the property, which could in some cases prevent or stop the damage occurring, including accidental electrocution from a power point. (All this despite the fact that all these houses at some stage in the last 30 years(since 1985)have had some electrical renovations or additions made to the property , which always include modification or addition to the electrical wiring.) If your house has been renovated in the past, you will most likely be more at risk from problems with power points which can lead to electrical fires as most house renovations done by property owners, electrical work as been done illegally by someone with no consideration for correct installation of power points under AS/NZ 3000 wiring rules. Furthermore, I have also come across homes where the all electrical wiring has been modified from light fittings to power points added or relocated and even switch boards are been rewired or upgraded illegally by non –licensed people with little knowledge of electrical safety and regulations. You may ask yourself: How do you know the condition of your power points in the house? Do you know if the last time you had some electrical work done in your house, it done properly? When was last time you had your power points professionally inspected and tested by a licence electrical contractor? Do you have an independent electrician that will inform and explain in detail the condition of your electrical system? (Including a detailed electrical written report on the condition of your home’s electrical system.) My message to you is simple: be electrically safe in your home, as it may one day save your life or your property by preventing a house fire. Have your power points inspected by a licensed electrical contractor. Paul RoJess Electrical 0412214259?