Tingling Taps

This “Ask the Expert – Tingling Taps” editorial appeared in Messenger Newspapers 8/2/17

Question 1: We hear you got a big response to the January 25 article about switchboard safety.

Answer: Sure did. People were contacting us about bringing their boards up to standard and others had recognised the symptoms of overloading we described, such as flickering and dimming lights.

Q2: What was one of the most serious callouts you had?

A: Residents of a 30 year old Salisbury North home, were getting a tingling sensation when they turned taps on. This is a very serious warning that the household’s electrical system isn’t earthed properly.

Q3: What did you find when you attended?

A: The switchboard had been added to over the years and had a mismatch of components causing an overload that burnt out a vital part of the system, meaning the house was being earthed through the water pipes.

Q4: What’s the lesson from all this?

A: Residents were looking at two options: electrocution or their house burning down. So please recognise the importance of switchboard safety.