Out of all the electrical problems that can arise on a property, water damage to the electrical system is among the most dangerous ones, often leading to disastrous consequences. In order to prevent water damage from wreaking havoc on your property, it’s vital to call an emergency electrician as soon as you notice any tell-tale signs. At AB Electrical and Communications in Darlinghurst, we provide the emergency services you require, ensuring your electrical system issues are fixed efficiently and on time.
The callout issue
One of our property manager clients called us out to his property as he was dealing with an electrical emergency caused by a faulty switchboard. On arrival, we found evidence of a fire within the switchboard. With further investigation, we found that water had been tracking down the conduits and into the safety switches, ultimately causing fire in the board.
What are the dangers associated with water interfering with electrical systems?
Water and electricity are never a good combination, so any signs of moisture or water in or around your electrical systems should call for immediate action. Unfortunately, water damage to electrical systems is a common issue for Australian homeowners.
Water can get inside electrical panel boxes due to wear and tear or improper sealing, causing corrosion on the electrical wiring and circuit breakers or even rust inside the panel box. Left unattended, water leaks to the electrical service panel, and the corrosion that builds up over time may increase resistance in the circuit, and fire hazards are just one step away.
Even if it doesn’t get this far, water damage can still result in other issues such as malfunctioning circuit breakers. In these circumstances, opening the panel exposes you to the risk of electric shock and burns.
Since these issues pose serious safety hazards, you should never try to fix them yourself. Only a trained and licensed electrician is able to address electrical problems safely and efficiently, so make sure you give AB Electrical and Communications a call if you have any reasons for concern.
What work was completed
To rectify the issue, we performed the following tasks:
- We completely decommissioned the existing board.
- We proceeded to seal up all conduits with silicon.
- We installed a new surface-mounted switchboard enclosure with a new current limiting main switch and safety switches.
- We also took extra precautions and sealed around all cable entry points into the new board to mitigate the chance of any water entering the new board.
- Finally, we re-energised the new board from the main switch in the common area.
Why it’s important to upgrade your switchboard:
- Compliance with safety requirements – electrical safety standards in Australia have changed over the years, so your old switchboard might not be compliant with safety regulations.
- Ensuring the safety of your home’s electrical system – the switchboard is the heart of your entire electrical system, so if it doesn’t function correctly, it can affect all other components and cause various issues around your home.
- Lower fire and shock risk – newer switchboards have inbuilt safety switches, so shock and fire risks are greatly reduced.
- Lower risk of your circuit breaker constantly tripping.
- Lower chance of fuses blowing due to overloading.
- Your home’s electricity needs might have changed over time, so your old switchboard might not be able to keep up with the new demands.
This project took us to Bourke St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010. Darlinghurst is an inner-city suburb of Sydney, located east of the Sydney central business district (CBD) and Hyde Park. Darlo, as it’s often called, is one of Sydney’s most lively and vibrant areas, brimming with wonderful cafes, restaurants, and bars, and a number of great shops spread along Oxford Street.
Who worked on the job
Adam – tradesma
