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FAQ ( frequently asked questions ) text on notebook with many light bulbs.jpg

1. Something not quite right?

If you ever smell something funny or can see smoke coming from an electrical outlet, turn off your electrics at the fuseboard immediately if it hasn't already tripped and call a registered electrician straight away.

Contact us on 07787 998124

2. Who should carry out electrical work on my property?

It is important that any electrical installation work is carried out only by people who are competent. This means people who have the knowledge, skills and experience needed to avoid dangers to themselves and others that electricity can create. It's easy to make an electrical circuit work - it's far harder to make the circuit work safely.

3. How old is your wiring?

Faulty and old wiring is one of the major causes of electrical fires in the home. You can avoid these by having regular checks carried out on the condition of your cables, switches, sockets and other accessories. There are clear signs that can help you tell the age of electrical installations in your home. These are:
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  • Cables coated in black rubber (phased out in the 1960s);

  • Cables coated in lead or fabric (before the 1960s);

  • A fusebox with a wooden back, cast iron switches, or a haphazard mixture of fuse boxes (before the 1960s);

  • Older round pin sockets and round light switches, braided flex hanging from ceiling roses, brown and black switches and sockets mounted in skirting boards (before the 1960s); and

  • Wall-mounted light switches in bathrooms (before the 1960s).

4. Do you know your RCD from your elbow?
Getting to know your electrics.

​Your property will have some of the following

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Main Switch

The main switch in the consumer unit (fuse box) allows you to turn off the supply to your electrical installation. Some electrical installations have more than one main switch. For example, if your home is heated by electric storage heaters, you may have a separate consumer unit for them. The consumer unit should be easy to get to, so find out where the main switch is to turn the electricity off in an emergency.

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Fuses
Older homes often have re-wireable fuses which automatically disconnect the circuit to prevent danger. When a fault or overload current flows through the fuse wire, it will become hot, and melt when the current goes above a safe level. The melted fuse breaks the faulty circuit so protecting it against overloading.

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Circuit-breakers

Newer homes are likely to have circuit-breakers in the consumer unit which switch off a circuit if there is a fault. Circuit-breakers are similar in size to fuse-holders, but give more precise protection than fuses. When they 'trip', you can simply reset the switch. However, you first need to find and correct the fault.

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Residual current devices (RCD)

An RCD is a life-saving device which is designed to prevent you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. It provides a level of protection that ordinary fuses or circuit breakers cannot.

5. When did you last check the condition and safety of your plugs, sockets and flexible cables?

 

Damaged plugs, sockets and flexible cables can cause electric shocks, burns and fires.

For you and your family’s safety:

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  • Check the plug and socket for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling), fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping or if it feels hot.

  • Remove plugs from sockets carefully. Pulling out a plug by the cable puts a strain on it, and could damage the contact between the plug and the socket. This could result in the plug overheating, its wires becoming loose or an electric shock (if the earth wire is disconnected).

  • Use plugs with the British Standard safety mark - they have live and neutral pins with insulating sleeves that allow you to put them in and pull them out of sockets safely.

  • Always replace damaged cables immediately. Touching exposed live wires may give you an electric shock or you could even be killed.

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    6. Checking a Plug
     
    • Remove the plug from the socket and check the plug is not damaged.

    • Look for signs of overheating, such as discoloured casing or cable.

    • Check that the plug is marked British Standard BS 1363

    • Check that the cable sheath is firmly clamped in the plug and that no coloured wires are showing.
       

    All modern appliances in the UK use the familiar square-pin 13-amp plug. These plugs are used for handheld appliances such as hairdryers and vacuum cleaners, and appliances like microwave ovens. The plug and cable can suffer damage, particularly if they connect to handheld appliances. Checking a plug and its cable does not need a lot of detailed electrical knowledge and these tips should help. With the plug removed from the socket, check the cable from end to end and ask the following questions. 

     

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    7. Is the cable cut, worn or damaged in any way
     

    There should preferably be no joints in the cable, and certainly no repairs with insulating tape.

    If for any reason, you need to check that a cable is correctly wired and fused, do the following:
     

    • Remove the plug from the socket, and remove the cover. Check that:

    • The brown wire goes to live (L);

    • The blue wire goes to neutral (N); and

    • The green-and-yellow wire goes to earth (E).

    • Check that the cord clamp holds the cables heath securely and that both of the screws are tight.

    • Check that the screws holding the three wires are tight.

    • Check that the fuse is the correct size and meets British Standard BS 1362 - see the manufacturer's instructions if you are not sure what fuse to use. The fuse should clip securely into its holder. It should not be loose and there should be no signs of overheating.

    • Replace the cover securely
       

    Brown to live (L) Blue to neutral (N) Green and yellow to earth (E)

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    R. Askew Electrical & Security Limited also offer an appliance repair service to repair and maintain your appliances at a safe standard.

    8. What is a home electrical test?

    A home electrical test is an inspection of your home’s wiring and other electrical systems to check that they are safe and compliant with current regulations also know as EICR Test or Landlords Cert.  The test is carried out by a qualified electrician to identify potential hazards and make sure that all of the electrical components in your home are working correctly.



    9. Why is it important to test your homes electrics?


    It is important to test your home’s electrics to ensure that they are safe and compliant with the Building Regulations. Testing can help to identify any potential electrical hazards such as overloaded circuits or faulty wiring, and can help to prevent fires, shocks or other accidents.

    What is an Electrical Installation Conditioning Report (EICR) and how often should you have it done?
    An Electrical Installation Conditioning Report (EICR) is an assessment of the safety and condition of the electrical installation in a property.  It is recommended that an EICR is carried out;

    In The home - 10 years or whenever an alteration or addition is made to the existing installation.

    Rental & Commercial Properties - Every 5 years (Required by law).

    Hospitals & Medical Practices - Every 3 years (Required by law).



    10. How much will a EICR cost?

    The cost of an Electrical Installation Conditioning Report (EICR) varies depending on the try and size of the property.  Our prices start from as little as £150.
    We offer a free quotation service and we can also remind you when yours would be next due.

    Refurbishments

    Extensions 

    Private Projects Undertaken 

    Insurance works 

    Landlord Certificates 

    Free Quotes

     

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    Security/Intruder Alarms 

    Fire Alarms Systems 

    Inspection and Testing

    Electrical Installation

    Electrical Wiring/ Re-wiring

    Smart Lighting 

    Energy Efficient Systems

    LED Low Energy Lighting

    Emergency Lighting

    Electric Car Charger Point Installation

    Solar (PV) Installation

    Air Conditioning Units

    Fuse Boxes, Sockets and Switches 

    Electrical Maintenance

    Solar PV

    Battery Storage

    Air Source Heat Pumps

    Voltage Optimisation 

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