Blog

A few of the blogs I have written in the past mention how important it is to fit an RCD in your home. Although I've explained the importance of having one, I have never really explained what an RCD does and how it protects you and your home.

An RCD stands for Residual Current Device. It is an important safety device that automatically trips and cuts off the power if there is a problem. This might sound pretty boring and be a nuisance, and you might be wondering what the point of having one is.

Research available from the electrical safety body, the NICEIC, has found that the public are mostly unaware of the electrical dangers lurking in their homes. Householders that were questioned had electrical hazards in their homes including exposed bare wires, loose cables, old wiring and overloaded sockets.

Having made the decision to replace your old fuse board, it is important to ensure that this important job is completed by a competent electrician.

Think of your fuse board as the main hub of your home – its the ‘thinking centre’ to all electrical aspects in your home. If the job is carried out incorrectly, your home will be in a dangerous condition and your family is then at risk from electrical harm.

Firstly, I will outline the main reasons why you may need or want to upgrade your old fuse board to a new 17th Edition Consumer Unit:

Your garden has so much potential – it can now be regarded as another room in your home – the last few years have seen rise to people opting for decking in their gardens – after all it is low maintenance, versatile and allows friends to congregate in one area with the possiblity of stylish lighting added.

Decking lighting – and indeed other forms of garden lighting whether this is lighting to sheds and other outbuildings, outdoor lighting, security lighting or perimeter lighting can transform your garden, is relatively low cost to run and nowadays offers many lighting options.

Many householders in Cwmbran and Abergavenny often ring me to ask if there is a problem with their electrical supply. Understandably they are not sure if it is safe to continue to use their electrical appliances at home or if they should call an electrician.

The basic advice is if you suspect a problem with an electrical appliance, unplug and stop using it immediately, however if you suspect a problem with your actual electrical installation then consult your local qualified electrician who will be happy to come and take a look.