An electrician in Melbourne can prevent homeowners from starting electrical fires

Electrical fires can be prevented with the help of an electrician in Melbourne. As a homeowner, it’s important you are aware of the five most common causes of electrical fires, so you can avoid them. The first most common cause of electrical fires is faulty electrical outlets and out-dated appliances. It’s vital homeowners inspect the condition of their appliance for frayed cords. A frayed cored could send heat onto combustible surfaces like floors, curtain and rugs, resulting in a fire. For safety, cords should always be kept away from rugs and curtains.

If you have an old house, it’s important to keep on top of your electrical outlets. Hiring an electrician in Melbourne to inspect your electrical outlets is a great idea. They look out for faulty wires and outlets that need to be replaced, preventing the risk of fires. For houses that are over 20 years old, normally the wiring cannot handle the increase amount of appliances it has to power.

Light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs are another common cause for electrical fires. Some homeowners make the mistake of installing a bulb that has a wattage that is too high for the lamp. Homeowners should always check the maximum recommended bulb wattage on any lighting fixture to avoid electrical fires. Another tip is ensuring cloth and paper are never placed on a lampshade. These materials have the potential to heat up and start a fire.

Misuse of extension cords can also lead to electrical fires. Appliances should be plugged directly into an outlet and not plugged into an extension cord for long periods of time. Extension cords should only be used as a temporary measure. If a house does not have enough outlets for the appliances, homeowners should call an electrician to install new ones.

Portable heaters can also cause electrical fires. Homeowners need to be careful where they place their portable heaters. Most of the time, the heaters are placed too close to flammable curtains, beds, clothing and furniture. An electrician will advise that homeowners should use a radiator-type portable heater. These portable heaters are less likely to ignite flammable items.

Homeowners should hire an electrician in Melbourne to inspect their electrical wiring. Call Fuse Electrical on 1300 221 223.

How an electrician in Melbourne can fix a blown fuse

If you often experience a blown fuse, Fuse Electrical have come up with some advice on how you can fix it. The first step is t determine if the fuse has actually blown. If your appliances or lights have stopped working, then there may have been a power surge. To work out if the fuse has blow, you will have to go to your metre box. Once at the fuse box, turn off the main switch before pulling out the fuse for inspection. This is important as it will this will stop you from being electrocuted.

If the fuse has blown, you will need a flathead screwdriver to perform repairs. Furthermore, you will also need to purchase a new fuse wire. It’s important to ensure when purchasing a new fuse wire, you get one with the right amperages, which you will find on the fuse holder. It’s very important you do not buy a fuse that exceeds the rating shown on the holder. For example, do not put a 16 amp wire on an 8 amp fuse.

Once you have purchased the right fuse wire, go back home and turn off the main switch in the metre box. After that, pull out one fuse at a time, checking that the fuse wire is still intact by applying slight tension on the wire. By applying tension to the wire, you can also determine if the fuse is broken. If the wire is broken, replace it with a fuse wire with the same amp rating. Replace the fuse and turn the main switch back on.

If the fuse continues to blow after it has been re-wired, you should contact a professional Melbourne electrician from Fuse Electrical. It’s crucial you employ a qualified electrician, as if a fuse keeps on blowing, there may be something wrong with the wiring or an appliance that you are using.

It is recommended that if you are experiencing a blow fuse on a regular basis, to invest in a safety switch. There are three types of safety switches to choose from. The first type of safety switches is the switchboard unit safety switch. This safety switch is installed on the main switchboard. The next type is a power point unit safety switch, which is inbuilt into a standard power point. The negatives of having a power point unit safety switch is that you have to buy a switch for every power point to make sure that every appliance is protected. The last type of safety switch is a portable unit safety switch. These are suitable for use with extension cords and portable power tools.

Next time you have a problem with a blown fuse, call Fuse Electrical on 1300 221 223 to hire a professional electrician in Melbourne.

Is it the tenants or the landlord’s responsibility to pay for an electrician in Melbourne?

Many tenants are unsure if it is their responsibility of the landlords to pay an electrician in Melbourne. This can be a tough question to be faced with, when you require immediate electrical work but can’t afford it. For tenant’s peace of mind, it is the landlord that has to pay for an electrician.

According to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, the landlord has to ensure the rented accommodation is well maintained. The act declares that repairs and maintenance of all electrical appliances provided by the landlord are the responsibility of the landlord. It is the role of the landlord and the landlord’s agent, to work together to ensure they run safety checks on all appliances, at least every two years.   

A landlord has the responsibility to maintain two critical areas regarding electrical safety. These are the proper installation of new or replacement electrical appliance, plus the correct maintenance and use of existing appliances. If a landlord fails to meet these requirements,it could result in their tenant being injured or killed. Furthermore, serious damage could occur to the property.

Before re-letting the property, a landlord must check that all appliances are safe and any unsafe appliances are repaired or disposed of. Electrical appliances also must be cleaned regularly in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions. Tenants must ensure they are cleaning these appliances and are not letting dust build up on cooling fans and on heaters. Also landlords must inspect damage to plugs, leads and casings on appliances. If there is any damage, it must be repaired immediately as if not a fire could be caused. Lastly the landlord should record all safety checks and details of work carried out by a licensed electrician. 

While the landlord has many responsibilities, it is the tenant’s duty to report any appliance faults to the landlord or the landlord’s agent. If a tenant does not report these appliance faults and get injured, it is not the landlord’s fault, as they were never notified of the issue. Furthermore, if a landlord wants to complete an electricity safety check, the tenant must allow reasonable access. Tenants also should not install, remove or tamper with any electrical appliances without the permission of the landlord or agent. 

If electrical work does need to be performed, a landlord must ensure he employs a licensed electrician from Melbourne. When you need a reliable electrician in Melbourne, call Fuse Electrical on 1300 221 223.