Electrician Sunderland
Electrical Installations: Types and Importance
Electrical installations are critical to any residential or commercial building in Sunderland. They provide power to various devices and appliances and ensure the property's and its occupants' safety. In this article, we will discuss the different types of electrical installations, their importance, and the regulations that govern their installation.
Types of Electrical Installations
Several kinds of electrical installations can improve the functionality or safety of your Sunderland home.
Power Installations
Power installations are responsible for distributing electricity from the source to the various devices and appliances in the property.
Lighting Installations
Lighting installations provide lighting to the property, whether it is natural or artificial.
Security Installations
Security installations ensure the property is safe and secure by providing surveillance systems and alarms.
Fire Alarms
Fire alarms detect and alert occupants in the event of a fire.
Importance of Electrical Installations
For a property to function smoothly, electrical installations are vital. These are just a few reasons:
- Ensure efficient distribution of electricity to all areas of the property.
- Ensure the safety and security of the property and its occupants.
- Prevent damage to electrical equipment and appliances.
- Avoid electrical hazards and potential accidents.
Regulations
In Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or Health and Safety at Work Act (HWA) supervise the law, provide guidance, and offer advice on safe working practices. Furthermore, these organisations monitor electrical equipment and installations for safety. In the UK, end-use wiring regulations for domestic, commercial and industrial applications are governed by British Standard BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations), currently in their 18th edition. These standards are in line with European regulations as well as the international IEC 60446 standard. In England, private landlords of residential properties must conduct periodic inspections and testing on the electrical installations within their rented dwellings. Furthermore, they must provide tenants with an electrical installation report.
How to Tell If Your Sunderland House Needs A Rewire
If your house is over 30 years old and the switches, sockets or fuse box appear outdated, this could indicate that your electrical system requires rewiring. Doing so ensures your house meets modern safety regulations and can accommodate new appliances without issue. Rewiring your Sunderland home can reduce the risk of fires, lower electricity bills, enhance safety and increase your home's value. Keep reading to discover some telltale signs that your house requires rewiring!
Flickering or Dimming Lights
Flickering or dimming lights are often indicative of a need for electrical rewiring in your home. Doing so can save you money on energy costs, improve safety and increase the value of your property. A variety of things, including loose connections and wiring, can cause lights that flicker. If you're uncertain what the issue is, it's best to call one of our Sunderland electricians for an inspection. Another cause of light flickering may be a fluctuation in voltage, particularly if you live in an area that shares transformers. This means all homes within your vicinity have individual electricity loads. If any are drawing more than they should, it could cause the circuit to dip below its usual level and result in flickering or dimming lights.
If the problem is caused by one appliance, replacing its bulb or plug may be sufficient. However, if multiple appliances are involved, you need to consult an electrician who can inspect your circuit for overload and make any necessary changes.
Fuses Blowing
A blown fuse should never occur with modern wiring and an adequate circuit breaker system. It's usually a sign that something is wrong, so call our electricians for further evaluation. Another indication to contact an electrician is if your house's power fluctuates in and out. While it's normal for power to come on and off, if the swings keep occurring, it could indicate either overloaded circuits or a need for rewiring in the Sunderland home. If you think your fuse may have blown, check the fuse box to see if there's a melted metal ribbon inside it. If so, replace the fuse and test it in several different places around your home to confirm everything works correctly again.
Lightbulbs Burning Out
Light bulbs that burn out too quickly may indicate an underlying electrical system need for rewiring in your home. This could be due to outdated wiring that needs upgrading for safety or improperly connected lights or fixtures. If you find that multiple light bulbs in different parts of your home are burning out, that could indicate that your electrical system requires professional inspection and rewiring. In some cases, fluctuating voltage can cause light bulbs to burn out prematurely. Another issue that can cause light bulbs to burn out prematurely is using too many watts. Most lamps and lighting fixtures come with a recommended wattage listed inside the socket or fixture; if you exceed this limit, it will overheat the wiring and lead to premature bulb burnout.
Old Style Fuses
Many homes in Sunderland still rely on outdated fuse boxes that use traditional-style fuses. These can be hazardous, so they should be replaced by a qualified professional immediately. Fuses safeguard electrical circuits against short-circuits, overloads or mismatched loads. They come in various types and sizes with specific current/voltage ratings, breaking capacities and response times.
Rewiring Your House Requires the Expertise of an Electrician
Rewiring your house is a big job requiring an experienced electrician's expertise. Doing it yourself could result in fire or serious injury to yourself and your family members; thus, it is best to leave this task to professionals for safety's sake. Before any electrical work begins, create a detailed map of the existing circuitry and what runs where. This will enable you to rewire your Sunderland without having to take down walls.
- Remove the Insulation: No matter if you are renovating your home yourself or hiring a contractor, taking out the old insulation from your house is an essential first step. Not only does it make installing new insulation much simpler, but it will also enhance your house's energy efficiency. First, locate the studs in your walls. You can do this using a device or by marking them with a pencil. Once you've drilled holes between each stud, inject slow-rise cavity-fill foam insulation into these openings. Drill them as high up on the wall as possible for optimal insulation accumulation - this helps it rise more naturally and efficiently over time. Once the insulation has been installed, it's time to patch any drywall holes created. You can save any discs cut while making access points or crafting new plugs with your drywall toolkit.
- Remove the Old Wires: Before you begin rewiring your Sunderland house, removing all existing wires is essential. Doing this can prevent health hazards and fire hazards in the future. Most homes still contain remnants of an earlier wiring system, such as knob and tube, which was popular from 1880 to 1940. Knob and tube wiring consist of copper conductors running through the walls' drilled holes. It lacked grounding, making it outdated today. If your home still utilises an outdated knob and tube wiring system, upgrading it with modern electrical wiring is imperative. Doing so will enable you to use appliances that require modern power loads safely.
- Run the New Wires: Rewiring a house involves running new wires from outlets and circuits to the Sunderland home's electrical panel. This process should be done room by room, making it especially simple if your house has either a crawl space or an attic where you can work. Utilising a stud finder, mark where you plan to install wires into each wall stud. Generally, this should be done near the centre of each stud, but you may also mark holes on either side for added flexibility. Drill holes that are slightly larger than the diameter of the cables you plan to run through them, making it easier to thread (pull) the cable through a hole and into its desired cavity in the wall. If you have difficulty pulling long stretches of cable, unravel and straighten it before beginning the pull. A fish tape may also be beneficial in making this task simpler.
- Install the Electrical Boxes: Electrical boxes and wires must be installed correctly to avoid a fire hazards. They should also be organised neatly to prevent tangles that make it challenging to identify which wire is which. Rewiring a Sunderland house requires concentration and time; that's why hiring an expert electrician is the safest solution. They will assist in designing the circuits and installing wiring properly. Before running the new wires, create a detailed plan to guide the new circuit's installation. This will enable your Sunderland electrician to calculate the necessary amount of wire and determine the quickest routes.
- Fix the New Wires: Rewiring your house should be done carefully and accurately to avoid miswiring the new wires. Doing this can be both expensive and time-consuming, so have an experienced professional by your side for guidance throughout the project. To prevent this issue, you should remove all insulation that blocks your pathway for wiring in the attic, crawl space and behind walls. Doing this will make it simpler for an electrician to run wires without damaging drywall.