When something goes wrong with the electrics in the home, the standard response is to call an electrician. However, did you know there are some electrical tasks you could potentially carry out yourself?
As we look for ways to limit our exposure to others due to the pandemic, learning how to do basic tasks ourselves is a great idea. So, which electrical tasks could you do yourself and when should you call in the experts?
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Understanding electrical safety
While it is possible to do some electrical work yourself, it’s important you understand basic electrical safety. This includes shutting off the power before you work, as well as testing the power.
There are a few pieces of equipment you would find useful to invest in too. A cable detector and residual current device are just two products that can help with electrical safety.
You can also check out the Part P building regulations. This provides useful guidance on electrical safety.
The tasks you can do yourself
So, now you know everything there is to know about electrical safety, which tasks could you carry out yourself?
You’ll be able to carry out smaller electrical tasks like replacing a fuse or changing a lightbulb. You could also change sockets or replace connectors in electrical devices. Most small tasks can be carried out by non-professionals, though it is still important to research before doing any electrical work yourself.
When should you call in the experts?
The truth is, for most electrical tasks, you should hire the services of a professional electrician. This is because working alongside electrics is dangerous. Even minor tasks can be dangerous if you don’t fully understand what you are doing.
For example, if you have an electrical socket that isn’t working, it may seem like something you could do yourself. However, there are a lot of reasons it might not be working, such as water leaking into the socket or it could have been poorly installed. Fiddling around with the electronics yourself could lead to potentially dangerous consequences.
So, if you’re wondering whether or not you should attempt to fix electrical issues yourself, follow the advice above. If it is a big job, you’ll definitely want to call in the professionals. There are a lot of instructional videos you can follow online. However, as electrics are dangerous, it’s always best to call an electrician if you aren’t confident in what you are doing.
