News & Updates
Electrical Advice and Guides
Electrical news and safety for your home and office, written by the licensed electricians at PWA Electrical Services.
How Are RCD Trip Times Tested in Western Australia?
RCD trip time testing measures how quickly a safety switch disconnects power during an electrical fault.
Structured Cabling vs Standard Cabling: What’s the Difference?
At first glance, standard cabling and structured cabling can seem much the same. The real difference is how well your network can adapt as your property and technology needs evolve.
Conversion of Single-Phase to Three-Phase: What’s Involved & Who Manages It
At PWA Electrical Services, our licensed electricians can inspect your switchboard, assess your current load, and provide clear guidance on the most suitable approach.
How to Charge an EV at Home
Electric vehicles are becoming more common across Perth, and home charging is quickly becoming part of everyday life.
Understanding the 4 RCD Types and Their Applications
Residual Current Devices, commonly known as RCDs, are one of the most important safety features in modern electrical installations.
Understanding the Two Main Types of Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are one of the most important safety features in any home. They’re designed to detect smoke early, giving you and your family more time to get out safely in the event of a fire.
Emergency Lighting Standards for Commercial Compliance
Emergency lighting plays a vital role in keeping buildings safe during a power outage or emergency. When visibility drops, these systems ensure that occupants can move through the space safely and find the nearest exit. But having emergency lighting installed…
Your Commercial Property Electrical Compliance Checklist
Electrical safety plays a vital role in the day-to-day operation of commercial buildings. Faults or overlooked issues can lead to serious consequences, including injury, property damage, or legal action.
How to Avoid an Overloading Powerboard at Christmas
It’s the time of year when homes across WA sparkle with fairy lights, festive cheer, and the hum of Christmas preparation. But with the extra load on your electrical system, it’s easy to overlook one of the season’s most common…
Where Should Smoke Alarms Be Installed in Your Home?
Smoke alarms are one of the most important safety features in any home. They are designed to give you and your family an early warning in the event of a fire, but only if they are installed correctly and functioning…
Choosing the Right Type of Network Cable for Your Business
A reliable network is critical to the day-to-day running of any commercial space. From cloud storage and point-of-sale systems to VoIP phone calls and wireless access points, data cabling supports many of the tools your business depends on.
Everything You Need to Know About How LED Lights Work
Lighting has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. LED lighting is steadily replacing incandescent, halogen, and even fluorescent technologies.
How Do Smoke Alarms Work? A Practical Guide
Smoke alarms often go unnoticed until they start beeping or a compliance deadline looms. But in Western Australia, keeping your alarms in check goes beyond avoiding a nuisance. It’s about safeguarding your household, meeting legal requirements, and making sure you…
How Many LED High Bay Lights Do I Need?
When you're planning a lighting upgrade or new fit-out for a warehouse, workshop, or any large commercial facility, lighting is one of the most important factors to get right. It influences everything from safety and productivity to your long-term energy…
Why Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping & How To Fix It
If you’re regularly heading to the switchboard to reset a breaker, it may be time to take a closer look at what’s going on behind the scenes. A circuit breaker constantly tripping isn’t just inconvenient — it’s an indication that…
What to Do If Your Power Goes Out?
A sudden loss of power is more than just an inconvenience — it can be stressful, potentially dangerous, and costly depending on the cause. Whether you’re dealing with a stormy night in the suburbs, summer overloads, or an issue with…
Why Is My Power Bill So High?
Did you open your latest energy bill and feel shocked by the total? If so, you’re not alone. Many Australians are asking the same question: ‘Why is my power bill so high?’ With electricity costs rising nationwide, unexpected increases can…
The Basics: How Do Data Cables Work?
In an increasingly connected world, data cables are the unseen heroes keeping our homes and businesses running smoothly. These cables are essential to modern communication, from streaming your favourite TV show to powering an entire office network.
How to Check Your Smoke Alarms
A working smoke alarm is one of the most important safety features in any home. In the event of a fire, it provides an early warning, giving you and your family time to escape. However, a smoke alarm is only…
Why Overloads on Electrical Circuits Happen & How to Prevent Costly Damage
An overloaded electrical circuit is a common issue in Australian homes and workplaces, but it’s not something to take lightly. Ignoring the warning signs can lead to serious risks such as electrical fires, damage to appliances, or even injury.
How Much Does It Cost to Run Air Conditioning in Western Australia?
Western Australia is no stranger to soaring summer temperatures, with heatwaves and long stretches of dry, sweltering days making air conditioning a must-have for many households. But as essential as it is, the running costs can concern homeowners and renters…
RCD vs Circuit Breaker: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to electrical safety, two essential devices often come up in conversation: Residual Current Devices (RCDs) and circuit breakers. While both play critical roles in protecting people and property, their functions vary. In this blog, we’ll explore the…
Can I Use An Indoor Extension Cord Outside For Christmas Lights?
Colourful twinkling Christmas lights have become the norm in Australia. Throughout December and into early January, houses are festooned with sparkling lights and roads and cul-de-sacs transformed into multi-coloured Christmas extravaganzas. A home’s exterior has become as festive as the…
What Should I Consider When Planning for a New Fit-Out?
Planning a new electrical fit-out for your property can be both exciting and complex. Whether you’re renovating a commercial space or updating your home, careful planning is essential to ensure a successful outcome.
The Basics: Understanding 3-Phase Power and Outlets
With electrical power, many property owners, whether residential or commercial, might not be familiar with the term ‘3-phase outlet.’ However, understanding what is a 3-phase outlet and when you might need one can be crucial, especially if you’re planning significant…
How Do Electric Hot Water Systems Work?
Choosing the right hot water system for your property can be challenging. Among the many options available. In this blog, we will explain how electric hot water systems work, detailing their components, benefits, and maintenance needs. By understanding these aspects,…
Do All Exit Signs Need To Be Illuminated?
Exit signs are a crucial part of any building's safety setup. They guide people to safety during emergencies like fires, power outages, or other urgent situations. This blog will explain the regulations, types, and maintenance of illuminated exit signs according…
How to Prepare Your Home For Winter
Winter in Australia presents a unique set of challenges with the country's diverse climates. This blog provides comprehensive advice on how to prepare your home for winter in WA, focusing on common issues specific to the region. We cover essential…
Understanding How to Test an RCD
RCDs offer a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit breakers cannot achieve. This blog will break down the importance of regular RCD testing, and give you a step-by-step guide on how to test an RCD, how to…
Do Vapes Set Off Smoke Alarms?
With the rise of vaping, many users find themselves concerned about the possibility of inadvertently triggering smoke alarms. This concern is especially prevalent among those living in apartments, dormitories, and hostels, where smoke alarm sensitivity can lead to significant disruptions.…
Do Rental Properties Need RCD Protection?
Electrical safety is a paramount concern for rental properties in Australia, where stringent regulations aim to protect the lives of tenants and safeguard properties from potential electrical hazards. This blog explores their necessity within rental homes, what legal requirements landlords…
What Causes An RCD To Trip?
In the intricate construction of electrical safety mechanisms, Residual Current Devices (RCDs), play a pivotal role. This blog aims to answer the question of what causes an RCD to trip, explore its potential faults, and guide you in addressing any…
Why Does My Smoke Alarm Randomly Go Off?
There is nothing more frustrating than being faced with a smoke alarm that goes off with no apparent triggers. It causes you to panic, disrupts your day and can tempt you to turn the piece of safety equipment off, putting…
The Basics: What is a High Bay Light?
When it comes to efficient and effective lighting in a workspace, high bay lights are the way to go, but what exactly are they? We will help to break them down so you can make the best choice for your…
Where Should Exit Signs Be Placed?
In the intricate world of building safety and emergency planning, one question stands paramount: ‘Where should exit signs be placed?’ The placement of exit signs within buildings in Australia is governed by a set of rigorous regulations and legal standards.…
Why Is My Smoke Alarm Beeping? Understanding the Causes
Smoke alarms are an essential part of any property’s safety system, designed to alert occupants at the first sign of smoke or fire, giving them precious time to evacuate. However, when you’re faced with the frustrating question ‘Why is my…
Do You Need To Be An Electrician To Change A Socket?
Australia is a nation of DIY lovers, but as much as you think you can change an electricity socket, it really is something you should never attempt to try.
What Electrical Work Can I Do Myself In Australia?
Across Australia, at weekends and on public holidays, people devote hours renovating and doing DIY jobs.
What Tools Are Used By Electricians?
When you need to call in a professional, electrician, they tend to show up with a bulging tool belt and couple of bags and boxes of mysterious appliances.
When Should You Upgrade Your Switchboard?
It may not look very impressive, tucked away behind a metal door but your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s electrical system.
Are Residual Current Device’s Mandatory In WA?
A Residual Current Device (RCD) is a safety device which will automatically switch off electricity when it detects a fault.
How Much Does It Cost To Rewire An Old House In Australia?
If you own a house which is more than thirty years old, your wiring may no longer be able to cope with the demands of modern everyday life.
What Does It Mean When Your Light Switch Is Buzzing?
Electricity should be neither seen nor heard, so that irritating buzz is a strong indicator that something isn’t right.
Why Do Electricians Wear Rubber Gloves While Working?
When working with electricity, you can never be over-protected, so safety clothing should be worn as a preventative measure from electrical shocks and burns.
How To Get An Electrical Apprenticeship In Perth
There are many reasons to want to become an electrician, it’s a secure trade which will always be in demand, and you can pursue different types of roles which makes the job varied and interesting.
Do Electricians Install Air Conditioners?
Perth’s summer can be notoriously harsh, with the sun beating down and temperatures reaching above hundred degrees.
Common Electrical Problems In The Home
Whether you’re renting or you’ve bought, at some point in your life you’ll experience electrical problems in your home.
How Do Electrical Fires Start In The Home?
Electrical fires may happen at any time because of problems in house wiring, an appliance failure or homeowners overloading electrical outlets and extension cords.
How Do You Child-Proof An Electrical Socket?
An Australian mum took to Facebook recently to warn others that a safety measure she’d taken to protect her child from electrical shocks had almost caused a fire in her home.
Is Being An Electrician Dangerous?
We are constantly being reminded about the dangers associated with electricity - electricians are listed in the top ten most dangerous jobs list.
LED Lighting
LED lighting stands for light-emitting diode, which is a two lead semiconductor light source.
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