Safety Switches Brisbane

Electrical Results - Your Trusted Electrical Safety Switch Experts

What is a Safety Switch?

An RCD (Residual Current Device), also known as a safety switch, is a safety device that disconnects a circuit when it detects an imbalance of the electric current. The RCD turns the power off to prevent electrocution. You will still receive a small electric shock, but the duration will be very short, reducing the risk of serious injury or death. Warning – An RCD cannot detect all faults, for example if a person receives a shock between the active and neutral conductors, however these circumstances are rare as the majority of incidents occur between the active conductors and earth which is what is protected by an RCD.

Safety switches save lives

Safety switches are found in either your meter box and/or your switchboard. In an event where a human accidentally comes in contact with electrical current, the safety switch will cut off the power within milliseconds to save you, a family member or a pet from electric shock.  Safety switches are easily identifiable as they have a test button. There are two types of safety switches: RCBOs (residual current operated circuit breaker with over current protection) and RCDs (residual current device).

Safety switch Electrical Installation Rules (AS/NZS 3000)

The Australian Standard AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules governs all electrical work in Australia and every electrician in the country must comply with them. The Rules are updated regularly to improve safety, and to reflect new products. By complying with the AS/NZS 3000, Electrical Results will be complying with the law and providing the highest level of electrical safety.

A safety switch is now required on all final sub-circuits

A key change to safety switch requirements was introduced in the AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules: A safety switch is now mandatory on all new final sub-circuits in new or existing domestic and residential situations and when alteration to an existing domestic and residential circuit is undertaken. Mandatory compliance these Wiring Rules were enforced on 1st January 2019. The changes mean that some jobs will take longer and some will require a extra products to complete. In all cases, the your safety will be improved.

What it means for your existing home

For any electrical work done in your home, a safety switch must be installed. Safety switches have been mandatory in new or extended homes since 2000, and only for a limited number of circuits. Most Australian homes are not fitted with safety switches on all circuits , many homes only have the power circuits protected.  

Alterations to circuits

The installation of a safety switch is required where any alteration to an existing circuit is undertaken. Example of an alteration: adding an exhaust fan, ceiling fan, smoke detector or extending to an existing circuit not already protected. When a switchboard is replaced or upgraded a safety switch must be provided for all the final sub-circuits supplied from that switchboard.

Repairs to circuits

For existing homes; where a single item of electrical equipment is replaced with an equivalent item in the same location a safety switch does not need to be installed.  e.g. replacing a damaged power point, light, fan or a light switch. However, to ensure the highest safety standards, it is preferable to add a safety switch if one does not exist. Every householder in has a legal responsibility to keep their home safe. If you haven’t already done so, seriously consider installing an electrical safety switch.

RCBOs or RCDs or Circuit breakers

RCBOs Protect people & against fire

RCBO (residual current operated circuit breaker with over current protection) are a safety switch and circuit breaker in one. They protect electrical circuits form overload or a short circuit and potential fire and protect you from electrocution. RCBOs not only guarantee optimised safety but also isolate the fault to the only circuit affected, so there is no risk of a complete blackout!  RCBOs will have a test button.

RCDs Protect people

RCDs (residual current devices) are safety switches designed to protect life from electrocution only and must be installed with a circuit breaker. RCDs will have a test button.

Circuit breakers Protect against fire

Protect electrical circuits form overload or a short circuit which can cause a fire. RCDs must be installed hand in hand with a circuit breaker. A maximum 3 circuit breakers can now only be associated with one safety switch. A circuit breaker is an automatic electrical switch designed to cut power from a circuit in case of overloading or a short circuit. A typical risk is when too many appliances are plugged in to a power source, resulting in overheating of cables. Circuit breakers will not have a test button.

Electrical Results recommends RCBOs for every circuit

Electrical Results recommends RCBOs where possible as they provide a more reliable type of protection than an RCD safety switch. You will have fewer nuisance tripping problems and if tripping occurs you will only lose power to a one circuit instead of many circuits thus avoiding a complete blackout and making it easier to pinpoint a fault.

Why is my RCD safety switch tripping?

It is annoying when a safety switch trips but it is only doing exactly what it is designed to do! A safety switch is designed to trip when earth leakage is detected. If it has tripped that usually means that a fault to earth has been detected. This can be caused by many things so it is important to get to the bottom of the problem. But remember a safety switch is very important for you and your family safety and should be fixed asap.

Follow this helpful RCD fault finding guide

 

 

Safety switch testing

It is recommended that you test each safety switch every 3 months by pushing the test button. If the device does not trip, it needs to be replaced immediately.

Workplace RCD Safety Switch Testing

The employer or person overseeing the workplace must ensure regular testing of RCDs to maintain compliance. Compliance requires adherence to specific test intervals, a responsibility we can assist you with. At Electrical Results, we conduct thorough tests on the operating time of RCDs. We not only provide you with a detailed logbook to meet standards but also maintain a register of your RCDs. Our qualified electricians are equipped to conduct RCD testing, with the capability to repair or replace any RCD that fails to operate. Our proactive reminder program guarantees timely notifications for your upcoming tests, ensuring a seamless and compliant process.

Why Choose Electrical Results?

Since 2005, Electrical Results has been the go-to choice for safety switch installations, repairs, and fault finding in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, and Redlands.

Expertise you can rely on

• • Our Master Electrician, Michael Sansom, brings over 30 years of experience in the industry since 1993.

  • We are fully licensed and stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards to provide you with the highest quality service.

Quality workmanship guaranteed

• • All our work is fully insured and guaranteed to ensure your peace of mind.

  • We use quality products supported by manufacturers' warranties to ensure long-lasting results.

Prompt and reliable service

• • Our professional electricians ares equipped with fully stocked vehicles, enabling us to complete every job promptly without compromising on quality.

  • We pride ourselves on our fast, reliable, and friendly service that puts customer satisfaction at the forefront.

Contact us today for safety switch installations, repairs, and fault finding services in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, and Redlands

Don't compromise on your electrical safety. Contact Electrical Results, your trusted local electrician today for all your safety switch installations, repairs, and fault finding needs.