Your House Wiring
The number of electrical appliances used in modern homes continues to grow, putting extra demands on your electrical system. For this reason you should make sure that the electric wiring in your home is adequate for this increased load. Many older houses contain cables
and fittings that may have deteriorated with time and which should be replaced. Some of the tell-tale signs which may indicate a potential safety problem are:
1. Overheating plugs and sockets
2. Deteriorating lampholders
3. Fuses (or MCBs) blowing frequently
4. Cables heating
5. Sparking/Arcing signs on fittings
If one or more of these signs are present you should have the installation checked by a competent electrical contractor.
General Guidelines for Maintaining a Safe Installation Replace socket outlets if, after constant use, the plug fits loosely in the socket or if it
shows signs of heating; a loose contact is potentially dangerous.
Fit double sockets instead of single ones in new installations or when replacing sockets; this will reduce the need to use adaptors.
Replace plastic-type lampholders if they show tell-tale signs of deteriorating – cracking or discolouration. Replace them with heat-resistant types and renew the flex.
Do not exceed the maximum bulb wattage recommended for fittings or lampholders. Do ensure that all fluorescent fittings and metal chandeliers are earthed.
New Installations
If you are having a new house wired or having existing wiring renewed or extended you should get an ETCI Completion Certificate from your electrical contractor. This certificate is your contractor’s statement that the installation complies with the National Wiring Rules.
This certificate will also be required by ESB Networks before a new supply can be connected. In all new installations make sure that you include sufficient double socket outlets in all rooms, especially the kitchen and sitting/dining rooms. Insufficient outlets may tempt you to use adaptors or makeshift extensions and may also result in the use of long trailing flexes.
The Electricity Connection to your Home
The electricity connection to your home comes through ESB Network’s main fuse and meter. Both of these items are sealed by ESB and must never be interfered with. Newer installations have an isolating switch between the ESB meter and the customer’s distribution board; older installations have direct connections between the meter and the
distribution board. The customer is responsible for the electrical installation on his or her side of the ESB meter.
Residual Current Device – RCD
The ordinary fuses or MCBs in the distribution board respond to
overloaded circuits by ‘blowing’ or switching off the flow of electricity
in the circuit. Additional protection against the hazards of electric
shock or fire is provided by an RCD. In fact, new domestic
installations must be provided with an RCD on all socket, waterheater
and electric shower circuits.
In simple terms an RCD detects an abnormal flow of electricity out
of a circuit when, for instance, a cable is damaged or a fault develops in an appliance allowing electricity to ‘leak’ out. The RCD responds instantaneously to such ‘leakage’ and disconnects the supply from the circuit. The RCD used to be called an Earth Leakage
Circuit Breaker (ELCB). RCDs are supplied in a range of current-carrying capacities and sensitivities. A high- sensitivity one – 30 milli amps – gives the highest level of protection and is required in domestic installations. Your electrical contractor will advise you on the current-carrying capacity to suit your installation.
RCDs are usually fitted at the customer’s distribution board but they are also available to fit at a socket outlet as a plug-in item. Plugs which incorporate an RCD are also available and should be used for tools and outdoor equipment if there is no RCD fitted at the
distribution board.
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