Protect Your Family With Safety Switches
0.003 seconds.
That’s how quickly a working safety switch can cut off an electrical leakage and prevent you, your family and your loved ones from electrocution. It’s easy to take your electrical power for granted when you use it daily without trouble. But when a failure occurs, it’s crucial you have working safety switches to prevent ‘leaks’ that can cause significant injury or death.
Whether you’re using a hairdryer in a wet bathroom, using power tools in the garage with exposed wires, or any other risky scenario in between, these switches provide additional protection on top of your circuit breaker to instantly cut off power when electrical devices experience faults.
At DYFA Electrical, we ensure your home adheres to Australian Law which mandates every domestic installation has at least one safety switch in each electrical switchboard. Whether you need installation, repair, maintenance or testing, our fully licensed and insured Sunshine Coast electricians can help keep you and your family safe. We also 100% quality and clean-up guarantees as well as Price Beat Guarantees so you can enjoy the swift, affordable services you need.
Call us on 07 5475 4152 or request a free quote today!
What are safety switches?
A safety switch (also known as a residual current device or RCD) monitors the flow of electricity in a circuit. Normally, this switch is inactive which allows for the flow of electricity. However, when your safety switch detects a fault, power is immediately cut (0.003 seconds) to prevent injury. They are necessary in all QUeensland homes and must be installed by a licensed electrician.
Please Note: A safety switch is NOT the same as a circuit breaker. Both are designed to cut off power. However, circuit breakers protect people while the switches protect people.
Do I need more than one safety switch?
By law, every switchboard in Queensland is required to have at least one safety switch.
Although safety switches are mandatory in homes built or substantially rewired since 1991, older homes may not have the necessary protection to prevent electrocution. At the same time, you may benefit from having more than the one mandatory safety switch in your Sunshine Coast home.
Why?
If you have more than one safety switch you can have different power circuits running off different switches. This allows you to protect specific circuits that pose a higher risk. For example, power points used for the family hairdryer or toaster. This approach means the power will be cut to handheld tools and products that pose a significant risk to you and your family – without cutting power to appliances that need constant power, like the fridge and freezer.
How to test your own switches
They are designed to save lives, so it is crucial yours is working fully and without fault. You can test your switches on your own without calling a local Sunshine Coast electrician. Even better, this process is quick and easy. Most manufacturers’ recommend you test your switches once every 3 months. Instead of finding out the hard way if your switches are operational, follow these steps.
Step 01: Identify the safety switch and test button in your switchboard
Step 02: Press the ‘Test’ button (the switch should flip to the ‘Off’ position)
Step 03: Reset the switch by pushing it back to the ‘On’ position
If the switch does not turn off when you push the test button, there is a fault. If this is the case, contact a member of the DYFA Electrical team right away to schedule an emergency service. Until your safety switch is working again, avoid using electrical devices as much as possible.
Can I install my own switches?
No.
All switches in Queensland homes or businesses must be installed by a licensed electrician. Not only is it illegal to approach safety switch installation on your own, it also increases your likelihood of electrical injury.
At DYFA Electrical, we can install switches to ensure your family or employees are safe. If you would like a quote or more information about having your switches installed or inspected, get in touch on 07 5475 4152 or request a free quote today!
How much does it cost to install a new safety switch?
This depends on the type of safety switch you want installed. For example, certain appliances requiring higher power consumption may require specific safety switches. You’ll also want to ensure your switches are coming from a reliable manufacturer. Although prices vary based on the number of switches you need installed, as well as the type of switches required, expect to pay between $80 and $260 for a single safety switch.
At DYFA Electrical, we understand the importance of keeping costs down without exposing your home or business to risk. With over 100 years of combined experience, we’re proud to offer an industry-leading Price Beat Guarantee to ensure you’re always getting the premium support you need at a price that works for you.
Protect your family with the experts at DYFA Electrical
It’s easy to take electricity for granted – until a problem occurs. Without proper safety precautions in the form of safety switches, you expose your family and employees to serious risk. Whether you own your own property, need to take care of tenants, or you’re running a Sunshine Coast business, you should have switches installed on all electrical circuits within your property.
More than a way to tick a safety box, installing switches can actively save someone’s life. Whether it’s a child playing with a power point, accidentally damaging wires while working in the shed, or using a hair straightener in a wet bathroom, professionally installed and serviced switches literally save lives.
The entire team at DYFA Electrical are committed to your safety. Our team is made up of 100% licensed, insured and police-checked electricians so you don’t need to stress about who’s working in your home. For more information or to put our Price Beat Guarantee to the test, reach out on 07 5475 4152 or request a free quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Safety Switch Installation on the Sunshine Coast
All electricians in Queensland are required to hold a current and valid licence. You have the right to ask to see this licence at any time. You can also do a search online here.
This typically comes down to how complex your safety switch needs are. A DYAF electrician will visit your Sunshine Coast property to ensure you meet compliance standards and have adequate protection for your needs. We offer fixed rate pricing for all electrical works and free quotes so there are no surprises.
Yes. There are three types of switches you should be familiar with. These include:
- Switchboard switches: Installed on the main switchboard
- Powerpoint switches: Built into a single power point for single circuit protection
- Portable switches: Used for extension cords and portable power tools