What Are Safety Switches, and Why Are They Necessary?
You may have heard of safety switches, but you're not sure what they are or why you need to have them installed in your home. Simply put, safety switch installation is the process of fitting a residual current device (RCD) into your home's electrical system. This should be done by a certified electrician.
The point of an RCD is to instantly shut off power if it detects that there is a leakage of current. This can help minimise the risk of electrocution or prevent electrical shocks and is therefore considered a crucial part of electrical safety in the home.
What Are The Legal Requirements?
All new homes that have been built since 1992 need to have safety switches installed on their power point circuits. This is mandatory in Queensland.
Furthermore, since 2000, it has been a requirement that all new circuits, such as lighting or air conditioning in homes, must be protected by safety switches. In Queensland and Western Australia, the law requires landlords and sellers to install safety switches on all circuits, while workplace and rental properties also need to follow specific safety switch regulations under the AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules.
What Does Safety Switch Installation Involve?
The most important thing to remember is that only a licensed electrician can legally install a safety switch in Australia.
The process for installing an RCD generally involves inspecting the existing switchboard and then shutting off power to safely access the switchboard. Once this has been done, the electrician can install the safety switch on your switchboard, either as a standalone unit or integrated into the circuit breaker.
The electrician will thereafter wire the protected circuit through the switch and test the safety switch to ensure that it trips correctly when it is supposed to.
Why Does It Matter?
In Australia, electrocution is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in homes. This is why safety switches were made mandatory, as they drastically reduce the risk of electrocution.
When you have your home insured, the insurance inspector will require it. Compliance inspectors will also make sure you have a safety switch installed, especially when doing renovations, selling your home, or switching out tenants.
Don’t risk your safety. Trust the professionals. For reliable safety switch installation, contact us at Hux Electrical today.
