Electrician Bega Valley

Determining Electrical Emergencies

In this day and age it is probably impossible to survive without relying on electricity as our main energy source. All of the devices, appliances, machinery and other technologies that we use today cannot function without it. Without electricity in Bega Valley, we cannot light our homes, clean our clothes, call our family and friends, and you probably cannot even read this article without it!

And while we strongly depend on electricity in our everyday activities, we often take it for granted and are not always cautious around it. Electrocution injuries range from minor to major injuries, to even death. Electrical emergencies happen due to various scenarios, and it is paramount that we educate ourselves with proper handling of electricity and what to do about it in certain situations.

Bega Valley : Kinds Of Electrical Emergencies

What makes an electrical issue an emergency?

Here are the main electrical emergencies you need to watch out for:

Power outages
Fallen Power Lines
Blackouts
Electrical Fires

Electric Shock
Overloading of the circuits
Meter Box humming and/or buzzing

A common way to prevent causing a circuit overload is to use extension cords, power strips or multi-tap outlets. Also, inspect your wiring and make sure they are not cluttered, and no open wires are present. It is also important to know how much electricity your appliances consume, and how much your circuits can only take. This is where you call your local Bega Valley electrician to help you assess your wattage and control your power usage to prevent overloads in the future.

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What To Do During Power Outages And Blackouts

A power outage or a blackout happens when the electrical power goes out unexpectedly in a particular area. These are commonly caused by storms, by improper trimming of trees, vehicle collisions, and more. Power outages and blackouts may cause interruption with communication lines, water supply, and transportation. These may also limit the usage of medical devices, home appliances and other machinery, overall affecting the majority of Bega Valley homes and businesses. Although power outages and blackouts in Bega Valley can be annoying, they are not particularly dangerous. Make sure you turn off all tools, appliances and other electronic machines to prevent a power surge when power is restored. Illuminate your homes with candles and don’t leave them unattended. Business establishments, hospitals, and shelters will typically have a standby generator that immediately activates when power is lost.

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Safety Measures From Fallen Power Lines

Fallen power lines are a different issue. They are usually caused by violent storms, vehicular accidents, lightning strikes, and even simply from a bird passing by a power line. When a power line goes down, never touch them or anything near them, and always assume they’re live. For your own safety, stay at least 8 metres away from it, and immediately call us and we’ll get you a local Bega Valley electrician right away.

In the event of electric shocks or injury, quickly call an ambulance and report the incident to your local authorities.

Dealing With Power Outages And Blackouts

Power outages and blackouts are probably the most common kind of electrical emergency. Whether it’s due to a storm, a downed power line, shortage of energy or an issue in your home’s power lines, power outages can be a pain to deal with, and can severely cause damage to your appliances and other devices.

In the event of a power outage, make sure to check what caused the outage – it is possible that your home has experienced a short circuit or a tripped breaker. Should this happen, it’s best to give your local Bega Valley electrician a call. If your area is prone to power outages, prepare alternative options for lighting (such as candles and fully-charged flashlights), cooking and heating, as well as water and food supplies. Turn off all your appliances and devices to prevent damage from power surge, and keep your mobile phones open with an extra power bank or two to keep communication lines open.

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Handling Fallen Power Lines

You must never handle fallen power lines on your own! It is even not advisable to get close to a downed power line, as it is potentially dangerous. Power lines fall due to bad weather and other scenarios, and it’s paramount to assume power lines are always live. It is advisable to keep a safe distance of about 30 metres away from it. As downed power lines may also be caused by vehicular accidents, occupants must always stay inside the vehicle until your local utility provider confirms that the power line is off. And as always, it is important to stay calm, and contact your local Bega Valley electrician right away and let them handle the issue.

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Fixing Your Meter Box

Meter boxes are used to safely distribute electricity throughout your homes, or in any commercial and industrial facilities. It divides the electricity power feed to branch circuits – such as your lights and sockets – while providing a protective circuit breaker or a fuse for each circuit. Certain issues cause your meter box to create a humming or buzzing sound, and it is the perfect time to call your local Bega Valley electrician to fix it. In some cases, your meter box may need to be replaced. BayCoast Electrical suggests getting your meter box replaced, especially if it is over 20 years old, to keep your premises safe from any electrical emergency.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A CIRCUIT OVERLOADS

An overload happens when you have too many things running on one circuit. More specifically, it’s when the electrical demand on the circuit is more than it was made to provide. An example of this is when you plug multiple appliances all at once. Some other scenarios are as follows:

Dimming lights,
A buzz coming from outlets or switches
Outlets that feel warm to the touch

A burning odor
Plugs with a scorched or blackened appearance
Lack of sufficient power to appliances

A common way to prevent causing a circuit overload is to use extension cords, power strips or multi-tap outlets. Also, inspect your wiring and make sure they are not cluttered, and no open wires are present. It is also important to know how much electricity your appliances consume, and how much your circuits can only take. This is where you call your local Bega Valley electrician to help you assess your wattage and control your power usage to prevent overloads in the future.

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PREVENT Electrical Fires

Electrical fires are extremely dangerous. Sometimes it is caused by a short circuit, other times it’s caused by a frayed cord. To respond to this kind of electrical emergency, the first thing you need to do is to cut off the power supply by switching it off on your meter box. But even switching your power supply off, or simply unplugging the appliance, poses a great risk. This is why you need to keep a fire extinguisher in your home for these kinds of emergencies. Should the fire be uncontrollable, immediately exit the building and contact the local fire department.

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HOW TO REACT To An Electric Shock

Contact with electricity can be frightening, as it could potentially injure you and even kill you. This happens especially when electrical outlets and cords aren’t maintained, or if electrical appliances are positioned near water.

Keep in mind that in an electric shock scenario, you should never touch someone who is experiencing the shock. If you are experiencing the shock, be sure not to touch anyone else either. Keep your distance, shut down the power supply, and immediately call the ambulance for assistance.