Use a licensed electrician for your workplace

With a labyrinth of electric wires and equipment cluttering the average office, the potential for electric faults is great, but with the help of a licensed electrician – and a bit of common sense – you can avoid a costly electric repair service.  Here we explain some of the most common electric faults – and their fixes.

'Gremlins'

What office hasn't experienced those frustrating network glitches at one time or another? Referred to in the trade as 'gremlins', these mysterious faults can take months to repair and lead to lost productivity.

According to Malcolm Richards, CEO of Master Electricians Australia, bad wiring is often to blame. "Unexplained network problems happen when your data wires are laid too close to your electric wires," he explains. "The electromagnetic field can disrupt your data signals."

This problem often arises when electric work is done in dribs and drabs, with different licensed electrician contractors responsible for different tasks.

The solution? Get one licensed electrician contractor to lay all your electric and data wiring at the same time.

Overloading

A leading cause of workplace electric fires is overloading. This usually occurs in poorly designed or overcrowded offices. "People move into a small office, the firm grows, they throw in a couple of temporary desks and there's only one power point in the corner," explains Malcolm.

"So they get an extension lead and a power board, and plug another power board into that, and soon there's a dozen appliances plugged into one power point. If there's too much power going through the first link in that set-up, it can dangerously overheat."

The only solution, says Malcolm, is to bite the bullet and get the office rewired by a licensed electrician. "Don't cut corners," he says. "Spend the money on a licensed electrician and get the right wiring in the right places."

Damage danger

A tangle of power boards isn't just a fire hazard. "Leads lying around where people walk, or under desks where they get kicked or rolled over by chairs, are prone to damage," says Malcolm.

Again, the best solution is to rewire your office to eliminate clutter. And remember, gaffer tape is not a safe way to repair a damaged power lead. Label it and remove it from service immediately.

In the kitchen

Don't neglect the staff kitchen – it's where you're likely to require most electric repairs. One common cause of fire and electrocution is a dodgy kettle or urn with a faulty safety cut-out device. Get these appliances tested by a licensed electrician every six months for peace of mind. 

Don't cut corners with electric repairs

Remember, inconvenience isn't the only consequence of faulty electric equipment – fire, and worse, injury and death, are also on the cards. So don't wait until it's too late to undertake an electric repair service. Call a licensed electrician today to avoid costly problems down the track.