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Safety Switches Safety switches are designed to protect people when they receive an electric shock where the shock current or residual current flows to earth. Safety switches are required to operate when predetermined values of shock current or residual current flow. They are also required to switch the power off to the equipment within 300 milliseconds or less. Circuit Breakers Circuit breakers are designed to protect energised circuits by automatically switching off the electricity when overcurrent occurs. Overcurrent can be caused by overloading the circuit, or by short-circuit faults occurring in the wiring or appliances. It is important that earthing contacts of power points and the exposed metal of appliances are earthed to ensure that sufficient fault-current will flow to cause the circuit breaker to automatically switch-off. With the electricity automatically switched-off due to a fault in the appliance or wiring no further danger exists until the circuit is re-energised.

If a fuse blows in your fuse box it can mean anything from one appliance going down to a whole section of the house being left in the dark. It pays to know how to replace one that’s fizzled out so you can get your day or night back on track without having to call out the electrical services company. Here are a few things to remember when your fuse blows: If the fuse blows and it’s night then you’re in the dark. Know where a torch is, or at least matches and a candle. Even if you know where your electrical box is and feel confident you could do it with your eyes closed; it’s just not a good idea to go feeling around inside electrical boxes without a proper light source. Have your tools handy. You will need: fuse wire, wire cutters and a screwdriver. These can all