Electrical Properties
It’s all gone dark
Life without electricity is hard to imagine. Think about even a short time without it, for example, when there’s a power cut.
You’re sitting playing Playstation and listening to music when suddenly everything stops. The television turns off, the game you were playing cuts out without saving, the CD-player stops. And the lights don’t work so you can’t see a thing.
We use numerous electrical appliances everyday. We take it for granted that electricity will be supplied safely to our homes. We take it for granted our appliances will work when we turn them on. And we take it for granted that we won’t get a shock when we turn on a light.
Yet electricity can be dangerous if we’re not careful. Fortunately, because electrical appliances – including all the wires, plugs, fuses and so on – are made and tested to British Standards, we can be confident they are safe. Of course, we still have to take care – we all know not to mix electricity and water, for example.
Making sure your sparky’s safe
Dodgy DIY electrical work and fires caused by badly-installed wiring and appliances cause about ten deaths each year.
In January 2005 the government took action. From now on, all DIYers in England and Wales must follow new rules set out in the Building Regulations. Any “significant” work must be carried out by a registered professional. Electricians can now be awarded the Kitemark if they meet the requirements of the relevant British Standard BS7671:2001
The law aims to “reduce the number of deaths, injuries and fires” and “make it harder for ‘cowboy’ builders to leave electrical installations in an unsafe condition.”