Electrical Fault Finding & Electrical Audits

DIY electrical fault finding is not advised at all. Without knowledge, training and proper equipment, electricity can be very dangerous. Fault finding necessitates specific instruments to securely test circuits and identify faults, and improper fault finding may cause electric shock, fire, or additional damage. To be on the safe side it is always good to call a licensed electrician to do the work.

Electrical audit is usually advisable every 3 to 5 years, especially in old houses or in houses where electrical problems are known. Also, you need to get an audit when purchasing or selling a house, completing significant renovations, or in case you have recently encountered electrical problems. Frequent audits will keep you on the safe side and find out whether your system complies with the existing regulations.

These are flickering or dimming light, non-working outlets or switches, frequent circuit breaker trips, burning smells or scorch marks around outlets, buzzing sounds coming through electrical devices, or power outages in part of the house. The presence of any of these signs ought to be a cause of immediate electrical check-up.

Electrical audits are comprehensive but there are certain faults that may be hard to identify without intrusive testing. A standard audit may not reveal all the faults inside a wall, underground wiring or inside some specific appliances. Nevertheless, there is testing equipment that auditors apply to detect most typical flaws and suggest additional search in case of need.

In the event that we find faults, we shall make a comprehensive report showing the faults, its possible danger, and suggested repair or upgrade. In some cases, urgent repairs can be recommended to provide safety. One may also use the report in case of insurance or when selling the property, as it will indicate that professional check-ups and maintenance have been carried out.

Most homeowners are not legally required to have an electrical audit however, in some cases it is a requirement: e.g. rental properties, commercial buildings, or when selling/renovating a property. Certain insurance carriers also demand periodic audits in order to remain covered. Audits are strongly advised even in cases when they are not mandatory to promote safety and compliance.

Specialised tools that are used by electricians include multimeters, insulation testers, circuit tracers, and many more. When fault finding or auditing, these tools are beneficial in precision diagnosis of a problem, the measurement of electrical values such as the values of watts, vols, and amps, identification of overheating components and the safe and effective tracing of wiring routes.

You can get ready by making sure that your switchboard, outlets and main power points are easily accessible. Remove any obstacles around electrical panels or equipment so that the electrician can look around. Note down any electrical problems that you have observed to communicate the same to the inspector. You can also provide useful information to the electrician by telling him about any recent electrical work or renovation.

Typical errors are: loose connections in the wiring, broken outlets or switches, overloaded circuit, tripped breaker, earth fault, and problems with rodents or general wear and tear. These can be identified to avoid safety hazards and expensive repairs at an early stage.

Indirectly, yes. Faulty wiring, defective appliances or inefficient circuits are some of the faults which may lead to wastage of energy. An electrical audit and fault finding can also assist in correcting these faults and problems thereby making your system more efficient which may result in reduced energy use and costs.

It is not a mandate but when during the audit, it is realised that the wiring is old fashioned, cannot support the use of new appliances or it poses any safety threat, then it is highly advisable to have an upgrade. Electrical systems should be up to date to achieve safety and reliability. Improvements will also add value to your property and reduce major repairs in the future.