Why Regularly Testing Your Safety Switches is Crucial for Electrical Safety

At Bamford Electrical, we prioritise the safety of every Melbourne home and business. A simple but essential part of keeping your electrical system safe is testing your RCBOs (Residual Current Breakers with Overcurrent), which are located in your main switchboard.

Over time, the effectiveness of safety switches can decline. Dust, moisture and general wear and tear may cause them to become less responsive. Testing helps confirm they'll activate quickly when needed, preventing potential electrical accidents.

Here is a step by step guide on how to test your safety switches:

1. Locate Your Safety Switches

   Head to your switchboard or fuse box, mostly mounted close to a wall and are front accessible only. Safety switches are marked with a "T" or "Test" button on the switch.

2. Press the "Test" Button

   Press the "Test" button on each safety switch. This should instantly trip the switch and cut power to the conected circuit, which is a sign the switch is working as intended.

3. Check for Power Loss

   Confirm that the power has been cut to the circuit linked to that switch. For example, lights or appliances connected to that circuit should be off. This verifies that the safety switch is functioning correctly.

4. Reset the Switch

   Flip the switch back to the "On" position to resotre power. Your test is now completed!

   
   

   If the switch doesn't trip when you press the "Test" button, it may indicate a problem. In this case, contact a licensed electrician to inspect and if necessary, replace the switch.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

Incorporating safety switch testing into your home maintenance routine can provide peace of mind and potentially prevent dangerous situations. By setting a reminder every three months, you'll stay ontop of this small but important task and reduce the risk of electrical accidents.

For more electrical safety tips or help with testing and maintaining your home's and company's electrical system Contact us today!