If there is any electrical work to be carried out
in the home, it is vital that a licensed electrician
performs this work. Electrical tasks should never
be attempted by the individual as it is both illegal
and unsafe. No matter what electrical job you need
doing around the home – from something small
such as a power point installation, to a major rewiring
– an electrician will be able to help you.
What an Electrician Does
Electricians work with all of the electrical
components of the house.
Services they provide include but by no
means are limited to:
house rewires
installation of phone, computer and television points
replacing power points
installation of lighting
installation of safety switches
switchboard upgrades or changeovers
surge protection
new home wiring
smoke detector installation
all general installation and maintenance
Electricians can perform the following
tasks among others:
plan wiring system layouts
wire and rewire homes
read and interpret electrical diagrams
test for and repair damaged electrical components
install electrical and electronic systems
install electrical equipment e.g. water heaters, air-conditioners
repair electrical appliances
connect switches and other electrical fittings
maintain automated systems
install electrical safety equipment
install lighting systems
Types of Lighting for your house
There are several different types of lighting, depending
on what you require and the area that you need to
light. You may need to illuminate a work area or
to provide ambience. Most homes require a combination
of lighting types for effective and efficient lighting.
Below are some of the most common types.
- Incandescent - this is the
most common type of lighting. The light bulbs
themselves are cheap to buy but they have to
be replaced relatively often. Incandescent bulbs
can be used to light rooms that are not used
too often, such as bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms.
- Fluorescent - are energy
efficient and last for up to 8,000 hours. Compact
fluorescent lamps are suitable for areas that
need long periods of lighting such as the kitchen
and living areas. Tubular fluorescent lamps
can also be used in the kitchen but are also
suitable for the garage or workshop.
- Halogen - are more energy
efficient than incandescent globes but require
a transformer. Halogen bulbs are great for highlighting
a feature within the home, for down lighting,
or for task lighting.
- Xenon - is a form of incandescent
bulb that is filled with xenon gas to provide
a brighter, longer-lasing source of light. Xenon
bulbs require transformers. It is perfect for
task lighting, such as in the study.
Selecting an Electrician
It is essential that your chosen electrical contrator
is fully licensed. Ask to see the license and
make sure that it is valid. By law, all electrical
work must be done by a licensed professional and
having a valid license means that you will be
protected legally if there are any problems with
the work carried out. The professional must also
have the correct insurances such as Worker’s
Compensation insurance and General Liability Insurance.
Ask to see certificates of insurance.
Will the professional provide a certificate of
Electrical Safety or a similar
certificate? This states that the work that has
been performed has been done by a licensed professional,
has been tested and is safe. It acts as a guarantee
to you.
Also, ask for several quotes before selecting
a professional and remember that the cheapest
quote is not necessarily the best. It is more
important that you are comfortable with the person
or company that is performing the work. Finally,
ask if they provide a emergency service should
something go wrong unexpectedly. |
