The Famous…….Daz the Sparky

Test and tag

Test and tag is easily overlooked as an initial line of defence for the business owner at the (from the) serious risk of an employee being electrocuted.

Combined with a thorough system of routine checking of your mobile and stationary appliances, test and tag can eliminate those not-so-obvious deteriorating appliances (that pose a higher risk of accidents).

By the use of an appliance tester and/or insulation tester the technician can test the integrity of the earthing and of the appliance. Deteriorating Insulation can be the path for electrocution and without a quality (an alternative and functioning) pathway to earth the electricity will find its path to earth through the person in contact with the appliance before any protective device such as a safety switch can interrupt the supply.

I highly recommend a routine with the combination of test and tag and safety switch testing

Safety switch testing

Safety switches would have to be one of my most respected devices. When installed correctly their reaction time is phenomenal! I myself have been saved by their fast reaction time on a number of occasions.

By the use of a calibrated testing device the time they trip versus the leakage they are subjected to at the time of test can prove their quality of function.

A safety switch needs to react once its leakage threshold is exceeded, but the timing is important. Too early makes it too sensitive and causes nuisance tripping and too late puts lives at risk.

Once tested, a book/document can be supplied verifying the currency of test, and safety switches that have failed can be replaced.

Safety switch upgrades

There is a large number of properties in Brisbane that have outdated and/or insufficient switchboards, with few or no safety switches.

With a safety switch upgrade we can now replace circuit breakers and safety switches with a combination device that performs both duties and saves space in your switch board.

Having more safety switches makes it less likely for a fault on one circuit to interfere with another, eg if a toaster or kettle trips the power it won’t take out your light circuit.

Switchboard upgrade

With the introduction of each new appliance the maximum demand increases. This can present as dimming lights when that big old aircon kicks in, or warm cables, or it can quite easily go unnoticed.

With a switchboard upgrade we upgrade the switchboard itself and the cable from the point of entry to your switchboard. Generally this will include a 16 mm2 63 amp single phase cable, a new meter enclosure, a new main circuit breaker and safety switches. In some circumstances 2 or 3 phase supply can be installed.

The outcome is a switchboard which is up to the highest safety standards and ready for a reasonable amount of growth in the average home.

With a new main circuit breaker installed if your home or business ever has a fault or draws too much electricity you won’t need to call Energex or an electrician to reset your power at the pole top, rather just reset the main breaker in your new switchboard.

Switchboard relocation

A new switchboard could be mounted inside the home or a business or in another location within the premises to add security or to suit a different floor plan.

Meter panel relocation and upgrade

The benefit of having a meter panel mounted in the fence or on a pole at the front of the property is that there is no need for a meter reader to enter the premises. This is quite handy if you have dogs that haven’t made friends with your meter reader or just for added security.

House rewire

If you are considering buying a property or you are currently living in a house that is built before the eighties, and even more so if it was built before the seventies, you should consider rewiring.

Most properties within 10 km of the Brisbane CBD have at least some bare earth cable or even rubber insulation. These are commonly identified as grey or black cables with only one or no stripes/grooves on them. Cables as they get old can also become porous, soft or hard, sometimes the inner colours can show through the outer insulation and sometimes, when disturbed, the insulation can just disintegrate leaving bare live copper conductor, the source of a house fire.

The switchboards of these homes or businesses are often equipped with old re-wireable fuses. I wouldn’t go as far as to say they are totally unsafe but there is a risk of electrocution if not removed properly. These fuses do not react as quickly at interrupting power supply in case of a fault as circuit breakers and safety switches do. Furthermore, light switches, power points and light fittings can also be ageing and can pose a safety risk.

If you can afford the cost of the full rewire of a dated property, including mains upgrade, switch board upgrade, new switches, power points and fittings, you would get a very reliable and safe house.

House rewire after house raising

If your planning to raise a house it is the perfect and most efficient time to rewire. During house raising and relocation the cabling is normally cut, hacked, crushed, and burnt from welding. These houses should generally have been rewired regardless.

If you are considering raising or sliding a house don’t get caught out, call an electrician first to discuss better options for the temporary and permanent supply to your home, a property pole organised early could save money in temporary builders poles and make for a cleaner look to your house with no overhead connections.

Please call me first, if I can liaise with your certifier and a house raiser I can organise seamless power.

Property pole for initial connection and builders power during a house raise

If you are considering raising or sliding a house don’t get caught out ,call an electrician first to discuss better options for the temporary and permanent supply to your home, a property pole organised early could save money in temporary builders poles and make for a cleaner look to your house with no overhead connections.

Please call me first, if I can lease with your certified and house raiser I can organise seamless power.

Property pole with Meters relocated to fence

With an installation of a property pole you could have your meters at the front fence,A choice of those with dogs or a property with an electric gate ,or you just don’t want to organise times with the meter reader.

Fluorescent tube replacement

Did you know that fluorescent tubes dull to half their brightness within their life-span, If you have an office, staff productivity can fade when fluorescent tubes fade.

A scheduled tube and starter replacement with a fitting clean can keep a work place bright and productivity higher.

Led lighting replacement

LED light fittings have come a long away with improvements in quality ,lifespan,volume of light, output,efficiency, and most of the return on investment. Please call to have your current lighting requirements assessed for compatible direct fitting replacement not just a retrofit bulb that wasn’t really designed for the fitting.

Down lights

Halogen Downlights are quickly replaced with LED fittings that have a superior beam angle giving over 100 degrees, throwing light to the tops of your wall. The increased light volume will fill the room with light. On installation a lighting socket is placed in the ceiling, meaning anyone can replace the fitting in the future,but with the warranty of the quality brands you will most probably forget about that by the time one fails,or enjoy the luxury of it being replaced for free under warranty.

Aircon installation

Split system airconditioners are rapidly creeping into every room in our homes,bedroom, lounge,dining,you name it, even the man cave.

Most good quality brands enjoy a long lifespan if installed thoroughly and correctly ,however since we are all watching our money it’s easy to be tempted into skimping on the installation, I can supply and install,or I can install the system you have bought yourself.

I will take the time to assess the best positions for the indoor and outdoor unit,and I won’t convince you to let me install it in a place that suits me ,rather I will make the effort to install the appliances in a position that my reputation is built on.

I highly recommend mounting where possible on brackets off the grading or al least raised feet ,the less they are exposed to the water at ground level the longer they last.

Aircon removal

I can decommission an old air conditioner for the simple removal or in preparation for a newer model.

Aircon relocation

I have had cases where customers have not been happy with the performance or location of an existing air conditioning unit ,whether it be due to aesthetics or design.

Don’t settle for being told there is no other options please call , I may have a better solution,please call I’m happy to give my time.

Hot water system

If your water gets cold call Daz the Sparky ,day or night, no one likes a cold shower.

It may be as simple as a new thermostat or just an element , I can get there same day.

Otherwise if your old hot water system gives up the ghost I can disconnect and return to reconnect once your plumber has installed the new one.sometimes this can mean we will upgrade your circuit as your new unit may have a more power powerful element.

Hot water off peak tariff

If you don’t have your hot water on off peak you could be paying more for your electricity than you need to,we can organise with Energex to get you an extra meter.

Cooktop replacement

If your old cooktop has failed we can remove and replace with the new one you have bought ,we can normally cut out the bench to suit a larger size, some older cooktops have odd sized cutouts so when choosing a new one you may have to get a stainless trim ring made to cover the gap.

If you’ve bought a new cooktop but your at work I can even go pick it up for you and install it!

Induction cooktop installation

If you have bought an induction cooktop to replace that old one there’s a good chance you will have to upgrade at least the circuit to a 40 amp 6 mm2 circuit.

If you live in a reasonably new low set house , this maybe straight forward,however most other homes I would recommend calling me first so I can assess the capacity of your switchboard and the ease of installing a new circuit,so please call I can give you the answers you need.

Oven replacement

If that oven gives up the ghost call Daz the Sparky, Once you have the new oven I can disconnect the old one and install the new one, Whilst on site we will make sure the oven circuit is correct for the new oven.

If your at work and can’t find the time to get the new oven or it won’t fit in your car, Please call we can pick it up and install it for you

PowerPoint replacement

Are those power points getting old and yellow,do you want USB outlets, or do you just like the new Clipsal iconic range,would you like singles changed to doubles,or doubles to quad outlets,please call and I can discuss your options.

Light switch replacement

Are your light switches old and yellow ,or just out of date ,or have you seen the Clipsal iconic range, you could even need dimmers ,most light switches are very easy to change and within a few hours I could upgrade a small house,please call I would like to see if I can help.

Dimmers

Would you like some dimmers installed whether it be to help the kids sleep ,set the mood or use less power,please call there are a few options available even for LED

Light fitting replace

If your light fittings are old ,falling down ,just not bright enough ,or you would like to upgrade to LED, I can help!

If you find what you like I can install them at your convenience, if you have a new home it’s normally a straight swap, with older homes ,very likely if you have old fuses,that you will need an earth run between all your new fittings,with a quick visit I can tell you the best solutions.

Light fitting new installation

Power point new installation

Is that extension lead across the room annoying you,or is it a trip hazard in the office or workshop, there is always a way to get that new PowerPoint installed,with 20 years of experience I can get a cable anywhere, please call I can make the house more organised, and the workplace safer.

New house wire, fitoff

Fan installation

Fan replacement

House 3 phase upgrade

House 63 amp upgrade

Is your house overloaded with too many air conditioners?, or would you like too install a large aircon? ,if your home still has fuses it most likely doesn’t have the capacity to support any extra appliances.

When we do a mains and switchboard upgrade we install larger capacity cables,single phase ,two phases, or three phases, some customers have needed an upgrade for various hobbies , like pottery kilns,welders,or a hoist in garage ,it will make your house safer and stop those dimming lights.

Category 6 Data network

Category 5e data network

Fibre optic cabling

Fibre optic fusion splicing

Cabletray

Conduit

Underground conduits

Process control, ovens, heated tables,

Power monitoring, and with web based graphing/ remote access

Commercial power ,data ,

Industrial power and data,

Commission and decommissioning of machinery and equipment

Factory lighting upgrade

Factory lighting installation

Commercial lighting installation

Commercial lighting upgrade

3 phase industrial power outlets, 10 amp,20 amp, 32 amp

School data/ fibre network

Emergency, Maintenance , and service work all hours

Broken cable repairs