Every year, over half of accidental domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity. Some of these are caused by old unsafe wiring and others by faulty appliances. Either way, we need to be aware that electricity is dangerous, which is why it is the subject of so many regulations and safety advice. It is also a very good friend to most of us as it provides the  means to power our computers, our telephones and our internet. It allows us to cook, boil a kettle and keep our food fresh in fridges and freezers. It provides us with entertainment through our televisions and sound systems and in the near future it will power most of our cars. It is therefore important that we use it safely and are aware of the dangers it can present.

Like many consumable products, electrical wiring is prone to deterioration through time and can, almost imperceptibly, become unsafe. Insulation can gradually break down or be gnawed at be mice or rats, exposing live wires. This can significantly increase the risk of fire unless checked regularly. As the most common cause of residential fires is electrical equipment and appliances, cables and plug sockets are a significant fire risk.

On that basis, it must be considered wise to have the electrical installation in your home checked occasionally by a registered electrician. This is referred to as an Electrical Installation Condition Report or EICR. Homeowners should have this done every ten years, or when you move to another house, as this will highlight any deterioration in the wiring before it becomes a safety issue, as well as any sub-standard changes or additions to the wiring in the property. Privately rented properties need to be checked every five years, or on change of tenancy and an EICR Certificate issued to the tenant.

Older electrical installations can have wiring of a low amperage or current rating, which will be less able to cope with modern demands of a modern household. Fifty or more years ago, the number of electrical devices found in homes was much lower than today. Fridge/freezers, automatic washing machines and dishwashers were nowhere to be found in our kitchens and computers, printers and internet connections were also missing. With all of these extra appliances and technology devices now available, there is a much higher draw on electrical consumption than electrical installation of the era were designed for.

The other danger presented by older properties is that because there were so many fewer appliances in the average home, the electrical installation in the property will have markedly less power sockets than a modern property, which encourages the use of 4 or 6 Socket Extension Leads or 3 or 4 way adaptors. This will have the effect of potentially overloading the circuit. You may notice brown marking on the wall socket facing, which is a sign of overheating, all of which can increase the risk of electrical shock and fire damage.

Here are a few appliances that should be connected directly into a wall socket and not via an adapter.

• Kettles
• Portable Heaters
• Hair Dryers
• Toasters
• Fridges
• Microwaves
• Slow Cookers
• Washing Machines / Tumble Driers
• Dishwashing Machines

Simply, if it contains a heating element, do not connect via a multi socket or adapter.

It is important not to overload a 3 pin wall mounted socket, these are rated at 3000 watts, which is equivalent to 13 Amps. Do Not Overload Sockets and avoid block adaptors as some do not have a fuse therefore they increase the risk of overloading and fire. Better to use bar adaptors with an extension cable.

Plugging in 4 items such as a TV, DVD player, Sky Box and games console to an extension , would amount to just over 750 watts = 3 Amps.

A standard home PC or laptop often come with a 450w or 350w power supply unit (PSU). However a higher spec machine, designed for gaming or other intensive tasks, may have a much higher PSU, possibly around 750w.

There are a number of easily spotted signs of a potential electrical problem in a home;

Circuit breakers tripping

Circuit breakers are the modern day equivalent of fuses. They are switches which will trip if there is a problem on the circuit it is there to protect. Instead of having to replace a fuse, a circuit breaker simply needs to be reset by switching it back on. An occasional trip of a circuit breaker is not normally a problem and can be quite normal, but if one trips regularly, it could be a sign of a problem with that circuit and should be reported to a qualified electrician.

Switches or wall sockets giving small shocks

Getting a small shock from switches or power points can be a common sign of an electrical problem. Mostly, these small shocks, although jarring, will be quite harmless to the individual. The cause of the shock can either be the switch or wall socket or the appliance being plugged in. The easy way to check is to substitute one appliance for another and if the shock still exists, it may be time to have the switch or socket checked by an electrician. If you no longer get a shock, it is probably your appliance which needs repaired or in this throwaway society, replaced.

Sparking

Sparking should always be investigated. If your circuit breakers or fuse box are the source of the sparking, you should consult an electrician. But if it’s your appliance that is sparking, it is likely that’s where the problem is. Do not use a sparking appliance until you’ve had it checked by a professional.

Buzzing, or discolouration of switches & wall sockets 

Buzzing from a switch or socket or discolouration can very often be a sign of overheating caused by a poor connection or faulty wiring in or near the socket. These should not be ignored and should be check out by a qualified electrician.

Dimming or flickering of lights

 If one light dims or flickers, it may well be that either the unit or the bulb may be faulty. If more than one appears faulty it is probable that the fault may be with the circuit itself and that would require to be investigated by a qualified electrician.

Damaged, exposed or frayed wiring

Wiring is where your electricity flows though from the power source to the appliance or device. Damaged, exposed or frayed wiring is dangerous, as it may cause a fire or if touched may cause electrocution. Any signs of such wiring may suggest that the electrical installation from the source to the appliance is in a dangerous condition and needs to be check as soon as possible to avert a possible fire.

It goes without saying that unless you are a qualified electrician you should never attempt to fix electrical faults. Electricity can be incredibly dangerous, and safety must always be top priority. If you think you have an electrical problem, call in an expert to be sure it is fixed quickly and safely.

If you are looking for help with any electrical issues, you may find some of these services useful: