Safety switches are an essential part of maintaining electricity safety. This notwithstanding, many people don’t feel they know as much as they should about the ins and outs of safety switches. Furthermore, safety switches are actually often confused with other electrical safeguards. That’s why now is a very good time to detail some key information about safety switches, and when it may be time to upgrade one.
What is a Safety Switch Precisely?
For anyone who is yet to feel they fully understand what a safety switch does, a brief recap is useful. A safety switch is a device that’s fitted in a switchboard that’ll quickly shut down the power in the event of an electrical fault being detected. As a result of this mechanism being in place, the risk of hazards such as fire and injury is decreased. Across Australia there’s some different laws and regulations that apply to when installation of safety switches must occur, yet from a technological perspective there’s no doubt that having one can make a property much safer than not having one.
How a Safety Switch and a Circuit Breaker Differ
A key challenge surrounding safety switches is the general public’s perception of them, and the confusion that commonly exists between safety switches and other safeguards. Often this centres around the different role that a safety switch performs when compared to a circuit breaker. Although both of these devices do indeed provide some protection, they do so in different ways – and it’s really important that the difference between them is understood! Simply put, a safety switch looks to protect people from electrical accidents, whereas a circuit breaker by contrast seeks to protect electrical wiring.
Increasing Safety with a Switch
Even if a circuit breaker is fitted there shouldn’t be the misunderstanding that a switchboard is as safe as it can be. Ultimately, there’s many factors that go into making an premises safe from an electrical point of view, yet undoubtedly the addition of a safety switch can be a tremendous way to boost safety.
The Optimal Time for an Upgrade
For any property that’s yet to have a safety switch installed, the owner will discover it’s necessary to do so upon such time as the property is sold, renovations occur, or other factors result in an installation being required. Furthermore, although safety switches should be long-lasting, occasionally conditions can arise that result in a reduction of their effectiveness. In such instances, the need for an inspection and upgrade to a safety switch made more recently will become necessary.
It’s also essential to remain mindful that a safety switch is there to enhance safety, and if there’s other underlying electrical problems it will not resolve them (so it’s important that an electrician is made aware of any and all known electrical issues when they visit). But after all issues are addressed, the presence of a safety switch can assist in giving an early warning about any problems as they arise in figure, and doing so while also adding an extra layer of protection against any electrical dangers for people who are using the property.
