Do you understand voltages, amperage, currents, resistance, and the difference between circuit types? If you do you’re probably an electrician and understand the regulations. If you don’t you’re probably not and that means you should be thinking carefully before tackling certain jobs around your home.
In essence, dealing with electrics looks pretty straight forward, it’s simply wires that carry electrical current to sockets and other appliances in your home.
However, in reality, there is more to it than there seems, getting it wrong can cause serious injury or even a fatality.
The following 5 repair jobs are definitely best left to the professionals. If you need an expert to help you check out these level 2 electrician jobs Sydney
1. Maintaining The Panel
If you have a problem with your main panel then you need professional help. The main panel is where the electricity arrives from the grid if a breaker keeps tripping or there appears to be another issue with the panel the cover is going to need to be removed.
This will expose the mains power coming in and you may not be able to turn this part of the system off, increasing the risk of a deadly electric shock.
2. Repairing Appliance Cords
It would seem like a pretty simple task to replace an appliance cord that has frayed and become dangerous. However, this is one thing you should leave to the professionals. Frayed, damaged, or incorrectly wired cords are one of the main causes of house fires.
To replace a cord properly you’ll also need to take the appliance apart, that could be dangerous in itself and leave you with an appliance that doesn’t work.
3. Re-Wiring
Older houses will need to be re-wired to ensure they comply with the latest regulations and they are safe to use. As wiring ages it becomes brittle, the outer protective sheath disintegrates and you dramatically increase the risk of fire. Even new wiring can be attacked by rodents in this way and should be monitored.
That means you’re going to need to re-wire the entire house. That’s a big project and one that should only be undertaken by a professional.
4. Extension Wiring
In a similar vein, adding an extension to your home means increasing the wiring in your home and connecting the new wires to your current power supply.
This is dangerous as you could be working right next to the live supply in and could get a nasty shock. You’ll also need to understand the circuit types and maximum voltages/amperages that are allowed on each circuit.
If you don’t then you’re likely to create a faulty or overloaded circuit which will increase the risk of fire.
5. Bathroom Electrics
Water and electricity do not mix well together, dramatically increasing the risk if you’re undertaking any electrical work in your bathroom, or even your kitchen.
Did you know there are set distances that electrical outlets need to be away from water sources? In fact, in most cases the state requires you use a professional when doing this type of electrical work.
Electricity is dangerous, in most cases its simply not worth the risk, use a professional.