Frequently Asked Questions
The team at BWE Electrical know you may have questions about your electrical needs. Our frequently asked questions offer some answers based on the questions we are often asked. Please contact us for all your electrical needs and any questions you may have.
Why you should always use a licensed electrician?
An average of 15 people are killed in preventable electrical accidents in Australia each year, with hundreds more treated or hospitalised for a range of electricity-related injuries
Electricity does not discriminate, so the risk and potential danger of electric shock or even electrocution is there for anyone, no matter how much training they have received.
This is why it is always important to use a licensed electrician when you need electrical work done in your home or workplace.
A licensed electrician will ensure the work done is carried out safely and meets the relevant safety standards.
Using a licensed electrician reduces the risk of fire, electric shock or any other electric incidents occurring in your home. This means you and your family can rest easy knowing you are protected.
Information provided by www.masterelectricians.com.au
What to do in a blackout?
Coping without Electricity
Interruptions to your electricity supply can seriously hamper your lifestyle. You will need to think of some alternative ways to look after yourself safely during electricity supply disruption in your area. The following are suggestions you may find useful, alternatively you may consider going to stay with family or friends until the power has been restored.
Keeping warm
Multiple layers of clothing will trap body heat more efficiently than one bulky layer
Wear a hat as the body loses heat through the scalp
Close doors, windows and blinds to maintain heat
Use a wood heater if you have one, but ensure that it is not left unattended and is extinguished before going to bed.
Preparing food
Cook foods outside on the barbecue
Never use a barbeque inside a home, tent or caravan
Use foods that don’t require cooking, such as vegetables, tinned meats, bread and breakfast cereals.
Washing safely
Heat water outside on the barbecue. Never use a barbeque inside a home, tent or caravan
Take special care when heating water in an unfamiliar way. Add some cool water to prevent burns
If you need to carry containers of hot or boiling water, don’t overfill them and make sure you insulate the handles to prevent scalds from steam. Keep children away when carrying boiling water
Before bathing, check the temperature of the water. Don’t attempt to top up with hot or boiling water when someone is already sitting in the bath.
Lighting
Torches are much safer sources of light than candles. Make sure you have a good stock of batteries
If you must use candles, make sure they are on a secure base, do not leave them unattended or in places where they can fall or set alight flammable items. Keep them away from draughts and children
Be aware of fire hazards – keep candles away from curtains and other flammable objects
Extinguish all candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
Helping your neighbours
Check on your neighbours to see if they need assistance, particularly if they are:
- Older people living at home by themselves
- People with physical or sensory disabilities
- People with a chronic illness
- Single parents with young children
General Suggestions
Switch off all electrical appliances, especially those that have heating elements
Unplug “surge-sensitive’ equipment, such as computers
Keep one light switch turned on so you know when the power returns
Turn on a battery operated radio and listen to a local radio station for information.
Information provided by www.ses.nsw.gov.au
What is the difference between Electrician and an Electrical Contractor?
An electrician is known as an electrical worker or an individual qualified tradesperson. An electrical contractor is a suitably trained individual or business that holds the required insurances and can employ an electrical worker. Electricians are typically not allowed to perform work for the public unless under the employment of an electrical contractor.
Electrical contracting businesses are licensed and insured to perform electrical services such as:
- Install a ceiling fan or power point
- Install or alter a switchboard or safety switch
- Install a split cycle air conditioner
- Repair a washing machine
- Maintain a processing plant
- Install or alter wiring or fixed appliances in a building.
While electrical contractors and electricians both hold licences, only electrical contractors hold the required insurances to properly and safely operate a business. These insurances protect the employees and home owners/business owners from insurance liabilities. These requirements vary from state to state.
Information provided by www.masterelectricians.com.au
Contacting an electrician
BWE team members are all experienced electrical contractors who complete a stringent, annual safety and quality audit, adhere to a code of practice, and offer customers a 12‐month guarantee on their work.
What work should an Electrician perform?
While electrical problems are often inconvenient, almost all electrical problems require a qualified electrical contractor to solve them in a safe and reliable way. For your own safety, do not try to do any of the following yourself:
- Repair any electrical appliances
- Replace a power point or light switch
- Change any pre-existing electrical wiring
- Install your own electrical wiring
- Change a plug on a lead.
These tasks may seem simple enough but without the correct training you will not be aware of all the risks you are exposed to by working with these electrical devices. Electricians are trained to assess the risk of a situation and know where is safe to work and act accordingly, ensuring your safety at all times. Around your home, there are some simple jobs that are safe for you to perform, such as:
- Resetting a safety switch or circuit breaker,
- Changing an electric light bulb or tube,
- Replacing a fuse,
- Changing a starter in a fluorescent light fitting.
When you are performing any of these tasks make sure the electricity is turned off and remember to take extreme care because electricity can injure or kill.
Every home should have a safety switch; if your home does not have one, contact a Master Electrician and have one installed as soon as possible. These devices are cheap, simple to install, and save many lives every year.
While using electricity please take care. Use common sense to avoid risk and to remain safe. Do not attempt any electrical work that should be performed by a qualified electrical contractor.
Information provided by www.masterelectricians.com.au
My stove Element Needs a Wriggle to get Started?
If you need to wobble the element on your stove to get it to come on, you have a problem with the socket in your stove and you should stop using that element immediately. (just use one of the others if possible)
Plug in elements are very handy, because you can remove them and clean under them. The problem is that constant plugging and unplugging (or time and heat) causes the socket (where the element plugs in) to become weak and eventually it stops making a good contact. This is why you have to wobble it to get it working.
Your stove needs a new socket and you should change it as soon as you can. If you keep using the element with a faulty socket, you will get arcing. This is where a spark jumps across the connection causing it to burn the tips off the elements in fairly quick time. A socket is fairly cheap and if you replace it as soon as the problem becomes evident, you will probably save your element. Sockets are wired in, so if you need an electrician give us a call and we can recommend someone for you.
BWE electricians can tell with a simple inspection of the element whether or not you have caught it in time to save the element. If your element is damaged, just changing the socket will not work. If you put a new socket into your stove and fit a damaged element to it, you may burn the new socket out.
Just don’t ignore the problem. it will not go away, and it will only cost you more money.
What are the laws surrounding smoke alarm maintenance?
Below is a link to the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service website for an overview of regulations and recommendations.
In essence occupants should:
- test and clean fire alarms every month.
- replace smoke alarm batteries every year or within 30 days of becoming aware that it is almost flat
Additionally, if you are a landlord the smoke alarm should be tested within 30 days before the start of a new tenancy.
Smoke alarms must be replaced before the end of its service life.
If there is a problem with your smoke alarm it should be serviced by a professional. BWE professionally service domestic, rental and commercial property smoke alarms and fire alarms.
What is home automation?
Home automation is the residential extension of building automation. It is automation of the home, housework or household activity. Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, appliances, security locks of gates and doors and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security.
The popularity of home automation has been increasing greatly in recent years due to much higher affordability and simplicity through smartphone and tablet connectivity. The concept of the “Internet of Things” has tied in closely with the popularization of home automation.
A home automation system integrates electrical devices in a house with each other. The techniques employed in home automation include those in building automation as well as the control of domestic activities, such as home entertainment systems, houseplant and yard watering, pet feeding, changing the ambiance “scenes” for different events (such as dinners or parties), and the use of domestic robots. Devices may be connected through a home network to allow control by a personal computer, and may allow remote access from the internet. Through the integration of information technologies with the home environment, systems and appliances are able to communicate in an integrated manner which results in convenience, energy efficiency, and safety benefits.
Who Does Pool Lighting Design and Installation?
Pool lighting design and installation can be done by pool companies, lighting companies, a landscape designer or an electrician. Make sure that the design work itself is done by a qualified electrician, like BWE, and that all the professionals involved are appropriately qualified, licensed and insured.
The purpose of pool lighting design is to create a lighting scheme that sets off the pool itself and also the area around the pool in order to create a gorgeous night time feature, improve the ambience of the pool and the pool area, and also make sure that the pool is safe to use at night. The lighting can be placed within the pool, around the edge of the pool, and throughout the pool surrounds. Because of the amount of water, it is vital that lights inside the pool or near the pool are waterproof. The designer will make sure of this and use the correct fixtures in the design. A well lit pool will make it a joy to use on those hot summer nights and also create a feature that you can appreciate year round. LED lighting is very popular for using within pools and outside the pools but the designer may also incorporate solar, fluorescent or halogen bulbs depending on the purpose of the light and type of light used.
The lighting needs to be installed by an electrician due to the safety issues of working with electricity. They will make sure that the lights are completely waterproof and will not present a hazard.
How can BWE help me with landscape lighting?
Outdoor lighting brings your landscape to life after dark. A good design adds flair to your property while keeping the power usage to a minimum by using the most up to date energy efficient products. Landscape lighting might emphasise entertaining, safety, power usage, accenting features or any other aspects that are important to you.
Product selection is important for both the location and function. We recommend the use of solid brass, copper and stainless steel as outdoor environments are corrosive.
Outdoor lighting will add value and enjoyment to your property providing a huge return on investment.
What are the regulations surrounding testing and tagging?
BWE are qualified to test and tag your work, office or accommodation electrical equipment in accordance with the Electrical Safety Act 2002.
A durable tag must be attached after inspecting and testing to clearly show the test date and the next scheduled test and inspection date.
Specified electrical equipment and safety switches need to be tested at intervals according to their class of work. The interval ranges between 3 months to 5 years. Please click on the link below for current regulations.
What commercial electrical services can BWE assist us with?
We work with a broad range of commercial customers and successfully offer the highest level of responsiveness and reliability, including on-line job management and reporting.
RefurbishmentsOur commercial services include:
| Electrical wiring | Display lighting |
| Switchboard alterations, additions and upgrades | Exit and Emergency lighting |
| Lighting design | Annual safety system maintenance |
| Telephone and data installations | Surge protection |
| Internal/External lighting | Office automation |
Our highly experienced electricians ensure that your premises are always maintained and compliant.
Why do my lights flicker?
If you notice light bulbs or lamps flickering while lit, there may be an underlying cause that you should investigate. It could be a simple fix or the problem could be a more serious issue.
1.Loose Bulb
The simplest cause of a flickering light bulb could be a loose bulb in the socket of the light fixture. Turn the light fixture off and gently grasp the light bulb to tighten it slightly. It’s not necessary to tighten it strenuously – simply making sure the light bulb sits snugly in the socket should suffice. Turn the light fixture back on to see if it stops flickering. If you still notice flickering, try replacing the defective bulb. If the light bulb continues to flicker, the issue lies elsewhere and it is best to contact us at BWE to assist you further.
2.Faulty Switch or Connection
Eventually, it’s possible that the switch of the fixture will wear out. You can determine if the switch is causing the flickering by jiggling it gently to see if this induces a flicker. It’s also possible that screw terminals on the light switch have a bad connection. Check the plug where it connects with the outlet, making sure it’s seated snugly within it.
Again, it is best to contact BWE to help you with any of the above.
3.Voltage Fluctuation
When you turn on an appliance with high wattage, you may notice light bulbs flicker if the light fixtures are on the same branch circuit as the main appliance. Anything more than intermittent flickering may be a symptom of more serious electrical issues, however. In addition to flickering, you may also notice that light bulbs appear either too bright or not bright enough. Light bulbs could also burn out too quickly. Other symptoms include issues with your refrigerator or freezer because of voltage problems.
Due to the potential serious nature of this issue, you should hire an electrician as quickly as possible to come to your home and inspect your electrical system.
While some issues could be as simple as screwing in a light bulb, other potential problems are best handled by a professional like one of the team here at BWE.
Please Contact Us
Contact Info
Ph: 07 5588 5122
Email: admin@bweelectrical.com
Location
PO Box 5747
Q Super Centre
Mermaid Waters QLD 4218
Office Hours
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm