All about safety switches

Fuses, circuit breakers and safety switches interrupt excessive current caused by faults in appliances or wiring. This prevents damage to the rest of the distribution system in your property.

 

Safety switches offer far more personal protection than circuit breakers, and are much easier to use than fuses. Rather than fixing a new wire after a ‘blow' you just flick the switch to reset. You can even buy "plug-in" type circuit breakers to replace old style fuses.

 

How they work

safety switches monitor the flow of electricity and instantly cut the supply if it detects irregularity. This is particularly important:

• where lights or electrical appliances are used outdoors, especially around wet areas near where people work
• in potentially damp environments like kitchen and bathroom
• with extension leads, power tools and portable appliances

 

If a safety switch keeps ‘tripping' after all appliances have been unplugged, a fault remains that should be investigated by a licensed electrical contractor.

 

Get a safety upgrade

Check your meter box to see what protection you already have; you can spot safety switches by the "test" and "reset" buttons.

 

New safety switches for power and lighting circuits should be fitted by a licensed electrical contractor; but portable and power point safety switches are also available.