Switches


Upgrading the home electrical system


By Nico Van der Merwe, VP home and distribution at Schneider Electric


I


t is crucial to regularly inspect your electrical fittings to see if they need updating and review the number of home appliances your house can support. Whether you’re replacing a few switches, sockets or building an entirely new home electrical system, it’s vital that you have an electrical plan in place that’s both efficient and tailored to your home’s specific needs. However, while having a plan is important, before you start working on any electrical upgrades on your own, there are a few things to keep in mind. Getting a specialist in to help with any electrical job will prove beneficial in the long run. They will be able to complete the task faster and safer and will have all the necessary resources and skills to deliver the best results. Working hand to hand with them will allow the job to be completed successfully.


Prioritise safety


Many of us like to consider ourselves competent DIYers, but although changing a power socket may seem like a simple task if taking the basic safety precautions, it’s not always clear what potential hazards may be lurking in your property. For anything more than wiring a plug or fitting a new dimmer switch, hiring a qualified electrician is a must. Without a


doubt, the biggest potential risk from doing electrical work yourself is, of course, getting electrocuted. Without the correct test equipment to prove that a circuit is dead, one touch is all it takes. Electricity is our friend when we need it but deadly at the same time when it goes wrong. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you should never mix water and electricity, so any switches in bathrooms or near kitchen sinks should be dealt with by a professional. Make sure your earthing is up to scratch. If you’re planning on updating your


old plastic switches with smart new designs, you must ensure that your existing wiring on the lighting circuits has earth running to the switches, otherwise you could risk an accident.


Professional help It can be tempting to tackle jobs yourself to save money, but more often than not, attempting to do electrical work on your own


(or with the help of a friend) can end up costing more in the long run as you may have to hire a professional to fix your mistakes. You may also be running the risk of potential future problems, such as electrical fires.


Also, in some instances, the electrical work being carried out will need to comply with building regulations and must therefore be notified to building control. If this is not done, you may have trouble selling your property when the time comes. There is no skirting round this, it is the law and you could face hefty fines if you don’t act accordingly and use a qualified person to carry out the work. An electrician who is registered with a government-approved body such as NAPIT, NICEIC or STROMA will declare the work for a much lower cost than if you were to do it yourself.


Thinking ahead


If you’re planning to have your house rewired, take some time to design the layout of sockets and switches before you renovate, to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes. The best place to start is by deciding what you’re going to be plugging in. How many appliances do


34 May 2021 Components in Electronics


you have? What electrical items do you use most often and where?


When it comes to positions of light switches, taking time to consider the flow through the room is important. In a room with one entrance, the light switch needs to be near the door so it can be turned on and off as you enter.


Set a realistic budget. Whether you’re rewiring the entire house or simply revamping electrical fixtures, the cost of new sockets and switches must be incorporated into your budget, along with any installation costs. Work on each room individually – trying to do multiple rooms at once can soon spiral out of control if you’re not on top of your budget. Think about making your home future- proof. If you’re planning a major electrical overhaul of your house, consider installing a fully automated lighting, socket, and heating system. Ultimately, this will help homeowners become more energy efficient by reducing electricity usage, which will benefit the environment in the long term.


se.com/uk www.cieonline.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54