News

Domestic Electricians

by Elextric

Through the dark winter months, we are reliant on interior lighting. When the lights flicker or go out, can you fix the problem, or should you call a qualified domestic electrician?

As a local domestic electrician serving London, We often up in the early hours, ready to load the van and head off to homes and businesses. At this time of year, it can still feel like the middle of the night on the morning commute and you have to drive home in the dark too. At least you can switch the lights on when you walk through the door.

When the lights go out and you are plunged into darkness, it can be disconcerting. Do you need to get straight on the phone to the local electrician? Before you do, it is worth seeing if there’s a quick fix, but if you are unsure, pick up the phone.

The first step is to identify whether it is a problem with a single light, or are other lights out too? Check by flicking the switch in another room.

Are a Domestic Electricians Required if all the Lights are Out?

If all lights are out, grab a torch and take a look in the fuse box. At times, the electricity supply trips. The Mains Switch will be clearly labelled and you should see an on/off label too. If you notice that the switch is off, move it to the ‘On’ position and your lights should return. If it trips again, it is advisable to call your local domestic electrician.

If the Mains Switch is already ‘On’ and all lights are out, you may be experiencing a power cut. In this case, you are likely to see that neighbour’s homes are also without light. Power cuts are fairly infrequent and typically resolved in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, it means that you won’t be able to use other electrical devices, such as boiling the kettle for a much-needed

Can a Domestic Electrician Help if just One Light isn’t Working?

If the problem appears to be isolated to one light, there’s a good chance that simply changing the bulb could resolve the problem. Be sure that the light is switched off (not as obvious as it seems when the light is out!), unscrew the current bulb and screw in the replacement. Hopefully, that is all it takes to resolve the issue.

If the problem wasn’t the bulb, it could be a faulty cable or flex connection. This can also be the cause of flickering light. Only undertake this step if you are confident that you can safely access and reconnect the wiring in accordance with building regulations. Be sure to isolate and remove the circuit fuse, double-checking that it is dead, prior to touching any wires. Otherwise, contact your local domestic electricians.

London Domestic Electrician

Elextric, your local London electrician can resolve the issue and ensure that the electrical wiring in your home is safe and compliant. What’s more, you can call on us for assistance with lighting design and installation for extensions, renovations and new builds. Keep our number 02032868525 at hand, so you can easily get in touch when you need us.

3 tips for maintaining your wiring

01Nov

by Elextric

Most of us know how to change a light bulb and change a fuse, but when it comes to wiring and keeping the many electrical products in our homes in good condition, things can get a little tricky.

It’s not as complicated as you think and keeping tabs on the wiring in your house is going to ensure that your items keep working for years to come. Check out our three top tips below to stay connected.

Frequently blowing light bulbs

This is a widespread problem in UK homes, the wiring of your bulbs is often at fault and is very easy to fix.

Before you start always remember to switch off the power. There are a few reasons bulbs blow out more regularly. Aside from quality, you’re looking for two main issues. A loose connection in the lamp holder itself or the spring that connects the lamp and bulb is loose. Check the wire connections inside the bulb, if they have blown they will have broken apart or melted down. If the spring connection appears to be loose, you can tighten it, screwing by hand. This should help improve the lifespan of your bulbs.

Changes to cable colours

Before you can start doing wiring checks and maintenance, it’s worth noting that the colours of wires in newer fixed cable products have been changed to a similar system as flexible wiring products and all modern home circuits have the same wiring colours as listed below.

The red live wire has become brown. The neutral black wire is blue. The earth wire remains green and yellow.

Stripping wires and cables

If you’re experienced, it’s easy to strip wires and cables and make necessary cuts if you have a good pair of pliers or side cutters. While we strongly suggest you follow a guide before you attempt this kind of thing, the basics are as follows:

For cables, nick the end of the sheath, but be sure to get this as central as possible so that when you pull it apart, you can see the earth wire. Clamp the end with your pliers and with your other hand pull the wire out of the insulation. Measure the connections and leave a little extra length. Now pull back the sheath so that you can make the appropriate cuts without damaging the encased wires. Once you’ve made your cut, the ends of the live, neutral and earth wires should sit comfortably in the sheath, with moderate exposure. Be sure you’re dealing with an isolated circuit before trying to make any connections.

It’s important to remember that while you can certainly make routine checks on your own electrical set up, there will be times when you have to call in a professional. Here at Elextric, we are trained to deal with any issues you may have with your electrics, and we’ve been a mainstay in the local area for years.

Get in touch today and see how we can help you

Why does a Business need a Commercial Electrician

19Sep

by Elextric

Almost every workplace is reliant on electricity. It powers the tools of your trade, enables inter-connectivity, help keeps your premises secure and contributes to a positive work environment. As a commercial electrician, I am called upon to keep companies compliant and fully operational.

Workplace Lighting Installation

Whether you are developing, refitting or improving a workspace, lighting is a crucial factor. It is ideal to make the most of natural light, yet additional lighting is required. A variety of light sources are ideal for helping employees to undertake all necessary tasks.

In some settings, including retail units and restaurants, a commercial electrician might install a wide range of lighting solutions to create the right ambience. Our electrical services can also be used for temporary exhibitions and events, where stands and displays require a safe and reliable electrical supply.

Electrical Safety

As a business owner, you have a responsibility to protect your employees and visitors. This means complying with Health and Safety regulations. A primary reason why companies call on a commercial electrician is to undertake electrical testing and inspecting.

Electrical testing and inspecting ensure that every electrical item is operating as it should. Commercial electricians work to regulated standards throughout the inspection and can diagnose problems and make repairs, if necessary.

Electrical inspections ensure that fire escape lighting and alarms are fully operational and that the risk of an electrical fire is minimised. In this way, annual testing can be a life-saver.

Protecting the Workplace with Security Systems

From security lighting and CCTV camera installation, to access control devices, a commercial electrician has the tools and knowledge to make your premises more secure.

Keeping Machinery Operational

Unintended downtime is costly to any business owner. Your local commercial electrician can help to reduce the risks and also be on hand should a problem occur. If you need a reliable, local electrician, London based Elextric provides a timely response to get you back up and running as quickly as possible.

Simple Office Upgrades

Sometimes an employer will call on a commercial electrician for a relatively small job. The recruitment of new staff might require additional sockets or chargers to be installed. This is certainly safer than overloading the existing sockets with multiple extension leads.

Experienced Commercial Electrician London

No matter what your industry or requirements, if you need a local Commercial Electrician, London based Elextric are on hand to provide the solution. Contact us today.

Interior Lighting Design and Install

18Sep

by Elextric

When it comes to Interior Lighting Design and Installation: Optimising natural light is the ideal way to enhance your interior, but as a domestic electrician, let me inform you the lighting trends for when the sun goes down.

Great lighting design has an immediate impact on the ambience of your home. Get it right and the interior colours are enhanced and a stylish, welcoming feeling is created. What’s more, you’ll have sufficient light to undertake daily tasks, without the interior being overly bright and stark.

As a domestic electrician, London homeowners benefit from my lighting design and installation services. As such, I need to keep pace with the latest trends.

Layered Interior Lighting Installation

Whether your home is inspired by Nordic retreats, botanical or retro geometry, the common theme is layering. Multiple layers add depth and texture to an interior and the same applies to lighting. You require more than a single central bulb to bring a room to life.

Lighting installation should include general illumination to ensure the space feels warm and light. The next layer should offer more specific task lighting in areas where you need to work. This could be under cupboard lighting which highlights kitchen work surfaces and pendant lights above a desk or breakfast bar.

There should also be the option to tone down the lighting to create a cosy, intimate interior. Table or standing lamps might offer this low lighting, but wall mounted light sculptures are bang on trend.

As a domestic electrician, I take time to understand how the interior space is used and how to achieve these layers when undertaking lighting design and installation

Horizontal Lighting Installation

One of the major shifts in lighting design is the move towards horizontal fittings. Whether ceiling or wall mounted, the fitting spreads out adding bright or subtle light to a broad area.

Horizontal lighting takes on a sculptural element, replacing the need for pictures on the walls, as it becomes an eye-catching centrepiece in its own right. Light tubes have certainly made a comeback, but rather than stark strip lighting, they have been incorporated into stylish designs with strong aesthetic appeal.

If your home is currently devoid of wall fittings, but you would love to embrace this trend, contact your local domestic electrician to discuss lighting installation.

London Domestic Electrician

With great transport links, London is a desirable location for business professionals and commuter families. If you work in a contemporary London office, you want to return to a stylish, modern home. If the time has come to upgrade your lighting, get in touch on 020 3286 8525

Based in London and serving all surrounding counties, I am your local London electrician.

Tripping fuse box

17Sep

by Elextric

A tripped fuse box needn’t be a cause for concern

The fuse box is able to detect abnormal fluctuations in electrical current. A sudden change in flow can result in the electrical supply being shut off. This may seem a bit irritating, however, it is a protective measure. It could save you from an electrical shock or an electrical fire.

If you locate and open the fuse box, you should easily spot the main switch. When the current has been cut, this will be in the off position. Take a look at the other switches and see if any others are in the off position. This will help you identify where in your home the problem was caused.

For a one-off occurrence, you may simply be able to move the switches up to the on position to resolve the problem. No need for calling a domestic electrician.

What if the fuse box is tripping on a regular basis?

As a Domestic Electrician, I know that the main causes of a regularly tripping fuse box are:

A faulty electrical appliance
Overloaded plug sockets
Faulty wiring

Faulty Electrical Appliance

Do you find that the problem is triggered every time you plug in or switch on a particular appliance? If so, this is the likely cause. Replacing a kettle or iron may be the solution.

If you are unsure about the cause, head back to the fuse box and see which other switches are off. Go to the room affected and switch off all electrical items at the socket. Put the fuse box switches back to the on position. Now work around the room, switching on the items that you wish to use. Do any cut the electricity supply?

Overloaded Plug Sockets

Can you see that one plug socket is powering too many items? An extension lead charging multiple active devices from one socket could cause a surge of electricity. Spreading the load could resolve the issue.

If you are short on plug sockets, a domestic electrician can install additional ones at convenient points around your home.

Faulty Wiring

If you have a reoccurring issue and the main circuit breaker is the only switch that goes off, it usually suggests an earth fault in the fuse box wiring. This is the point when you need to call out a domestic electrician.

Ask your local electrician to undertake an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This will cover a test of the circuits to diagnose the issue. They will check that the fuse box is safe to use, look at the general wear and tear and ensure that your circuits meet the IET wiring regulations. Minor issues can usually be resolved during that visit and they will provide you with a copy of the report.

If it no longer complies with current standards, your domestic electrician will need to replace the fuse box. This is non-negotiable, as the priority is your safety.

Call on your local Domestic Electrician

If you are having fuse box issues in London, Domestic Electrician is just a phone call away. Contact Elextric on 020 3286 8525 to arrange a convenient appointment

News

Domestic Electricians

Are a Domestic Electricians Required if all the Lights are Out?