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No one likes to hear they’ve got an electrical issue at home, but trust us when we say that it’s always better to be safe than sorry; especially if the property needs rewiring. Leaving any potential electrical problem unaddressed leaves you vulnerable, all the way from damaged appliances to seriously dangerous house fires. So, how can you tell if your home’s wiring needs an upgrade?
Here are the key signs to look out for as a homeowner in Melbourne. Please note, the following list are just some of the many instances that you may experience. So, if you’re unsure and want an expert opinion, call Maroondah Electrical to arrange a safety inspection!
Imagine you’re hosting a dinner party, and every time you plug in the slow cooker, the lights in the dining room go out. Unfortunately, this isn’t as simple as an awkward inconvenience; unless the light globe has gone out, it’s probably a clear signal that your home’s electrical system is struggling to keep up with demand. When circuit breakers are constantly tripping or old-fashioned fuses are blowing, it means the current wiring can’t handle the electrical load from modern appliances and technology.
This is especially common in older Melbourne homes that simply weren’t built to accommodate more power-hungry devices, or simply the number of appliances and plugs we tend to use these days.
Have you ever noticed your lights dimming when the washing machine kicks into high gear, or flickering like something out of a horror movie when the air conditioning cycles on? These are the sort of visual cues letting you know that the electrical system is under strain.
Sometimes, the underlying issue stems from loose wiring, overloaded circuits, or an outdated electrical panel that simply isn’t able to distribute power consistently throughout your home. It’s like trying to run a marathon on an empty or unbalanced diet; essentially, your system just isn’t getting enough sustained energy.
A burning smell is arguably the most alarming sign and definitely calls for your immediate attention. So, if you ever detect a distinct burning odour emanating from one of your outlets, switches, or the electrical panel itself, it’s an emergency and should always be treated as such.
Similarly, if you observe any discolouration, charring, or scorching around your outlets or switch plates, it’s a clear indication of dangerous overheating. This isn’t just a minor issue; it’s a serious fire hazard that could put your entire property and everyone in it at risk.
Feeling a jolt when you touch an appliance or light switch is a definite cause for concern, even if it seems small. This kind of “tingling sensation” or minor shock suggests that there’s most likely an electrical fault and even potential grounding issues within your system.
It could be due to faulty wiring that isn’t properly insulated or an inadequate grounding system. Either way, it’s always best to get on top of the issue ASAP, especially in order to prevent more severe shocks or even worse, electrocution.
Don’t wait around for these issues to get any worse! Give us a call and connect with a licensed electrician in Melbourne today. We have electricians available everywhere from Box Hill to Brighton and Ringwood.
Despite their charm, many older homes across Melbourne and regional Victoria still have wiring materials that are no longer considered safe or compliant with current electrical codes. This is one of the reasons the State Government has introduced policies like the Electrical safety rental minimum standard.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring: If your home was built before the 1940s, it might feature knob-and-tube wiring. This system, identifiable by ceramic knobs and tubes, lacks a crucial ground wire. This absence makes it a significant fire hazard, especially when exposed to insulation, and inherently unsafe for the demands of modern appliances.
Aluminium Wiring: Used in some homes between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s, aluminium wiring presents its own set of challenges. Unlike copper, aluminium expands and contracts more dramatically with temperature changes, which can lead to loose connections over time. These loose connections at splice points (where wires join) create resistance, generate heat, and significantly increase the risk of fire.
Your electrical system should operate silently. If all of a sudden, you’re hearing strange buzzing, crackling, or humming sounds emanating from electrical outlets, light switches, or the electrical panel, definitely don’t ignore them.
These noises are often indicative of serious underlying problems. These could be loose connections, arcing (electrical current jumping across a gap), or other dangerous faults that require prompt assessment and repair by a qualified electrician.
Walk into an older Victorian home, and you might notice a distinct lack of wall outlets compared to modern residences. This scarcity often forces residents to rely heavily on extension cords and power boards, daisy-chaining them together to power all their devices.
While convenient in the short term, this practice can easily overload circuits, leading to overheating and creating significant fire hazards. An insufficient number of outlets is a strong practical indicator that your home’s electrical system simply wasn’t designed for the sheer volume of electrical devices we use today.
When you touch an electrical outlet or a light switch plate and it feels warm (or even hot) to the touch, this is a clear sign of an electrical issue. This heat is usually generated by an overloaded circuit, where too much current is flowing through the wires, or by a faulty connection that is creating resistance.
Sustained heat has the potential to degrade the wiring insulation, damage the outlet or switch itself, and, most importantly, significantly increase the potential for a dangerous electrical fire.
Ignoring the signs of faulty electrical wiring is a serious gamble with potentially devastating consequences. If unchecked, they pose a direct threat to the safety of your home, your loved ones, and your tenants. Most notably, electrical fires are a very real and tragic possibility when wiring is outdated, overloaded, or damaged.
Faulty wiring may overheat, then ignite nearby insulation or structural materials. From here, it will spread rapidly and quickly become out of control. Although fire hazards are at the highest end of the list, faulty wiring issues don’t stop there.
Continuous electrical problems will often cause extensive damage to your household appliances and electronics, primarily occurring because of an inconsistent power supply or surges. Another one that we certainly can’t forget is this: compromised wiring increases the risk of electric shock or even electrocution, which can cause severe injury or be fatal.
Rewiring your home is a significant undertaking, but it’s an investment in your safety and the longevity of your property. Generally, a complete home rewire involves replacing all existing electrical cables, outlets, switches, and the electrical panel with new, compliant materials.
The process typically begins with a thorough assessment by a licensed electrician, who will map out the existing system and design a new one that meets current electrical codes and your home’s power demands. This often involves:
If you notice any of these signs at your home, whether you’re near the CBD or somewhere in the outer suburbs, reach out to us straight away. The Maroondah Electrical team has the training, accreditation, and hands-on experience required to spot potential issues and work with you to find the right solution.
During the safety inspection, our electricians will use state-of-the-art equipment to safely assess the state of your wiring. If we determine that rewiring is required, you’ll receive a fair and honest quote outlining the costs involved.
Whether you need an Electrician in Balwyn, Bayswater, Box Hill, Chadstone, Greensborough, Lilydale, or Surrey Hills, our qualified team is ready to help with safe and reliable electrical solutions.
That’s not all! At Marrondah Electrical & Data, we also offer pensioner and referral discounts, as well as $50 off if our electricians don’t arrive on time.
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