Old homes, new dangers
Various electrical dangers lurk in a modern home, but the risk of issues is much greater as a property gets older. If your property is over 30 years old then its electrical system will have been built to an older and less stringent standard.
In this article, we discuss the potential risks. If you have an old home beware of the following dangers…
Loose wires
Older wiring and connections mean that wires are more likely to come loose. At the very least, this can lead to an electric socket not working, but it can also increase the risk of getting an electric shock or of fire.
Power cuts
Fuseboxes and electrical systems that are over 30 years old were not designed for today’s modern world. Large screen TVs streaming high-speed broadband as well as phones on charge and other gadgets didn’t exist in those days and, although many devices have become eco-friendly, there tends to be more power consumption nowadays at peak times.
This means that you might need to upgrade your fusebox to ensure that you have the right capacity and, at Emergency Electricians, we can help.
If you are using up more power than your system can cope with then you might get power cuts - and that’s not ideal during the night time or in winter. We are a 24 hr electrician so feel free to give us a call at any time.
Lack of a trip switch
Some older fuseboxes either don’t have a trip feature (an RCD switch) or have an RCD that only protects a limited number of fuses.
Residual current devices (or RCD for short) are crucial devices that switch off mains electricity supply after detecting current leakage. They help to avert electric shocks and more serious risks of electrical fires.
Nowadays, it’s important to protect ALL fuses with the ability to cut (or “trip”) the power when a potential risk is identified.
If your fusebox doesn’t provide a trip switch for all fuses then it’s time to call a professional 24 hr electrician to avoid any risks to your home or anyone living in it.
Plastic fusebox casings
In the past, fuses were kept inside plastic casing but the regulations were changed in 2016, requiring new installations to have a metal casing.
This was changed because a common cause of fire is loose wiring inside a fusebox, and metal casing has been found to contain fires better.
An old fusebox is at greater risk of having loose wiring, and the risk of fire spreading throughout the home is increased by having a plastic casing. Contact emergency electricians if you need to have your fusebox replaced.
Have concerns?
If you live in a home that’s 15 years or older, it’s worth calling out an emergency call out electrician to review your system. Give us a call today to book your appointment. If you have any concerns or need help, give us a call. We are focused on helping anyone who has an electrical emergency or wants immediate support. We are also an after hours electrician providing support 24 hours a day.
If you are experiencing any electrical problems then get in touch with us immediately by calling 0800 788 0629.
FAQs
What type of electrician should I call if it’s urgent?
If there is a real risk or danger during the night or at weekends then it’s important to find a 24 hr electrician that can assist you straight away. An emergency call out electrician will be with you as quick as they can without you having to wait for several days.
Make sure to ask how long an electrician will be when talking to them over the phone
Can emergency electricians help with fusebox installations?
Yes, they can. At 365 Trade Group Emergency Electricians, we are qualified and trained electricians with many years of experience checking and replacing fuse boxes. Give us a call today to find out more.
How to fix dangerous electrics in an old house
If you have an old property - any building that is over 30 years old, and if it hasn't had a safety inspection since it was built, then we would urgently recommend you call a qualified electrician to do a safety check on your electrics. Chances are they are all fine, but in some cases there may be dangerous wiring that needs attention. So why take the risk? Call our emergency electricians day or night and we will visit your property in Surbiton, Surrey and surrounding areas.
If you are experiencing any electrical problems then get in touch with us immediately by calling 0800 788 0629.