Like all household fittings, power points are susceptible to wear and tear that can lead to malfunctions. This can be accelerated if there are problems with the power socket or your home circuitry. If these occur it’s very important to call in an electrician to inspect the outlet, and repair or replace it.
From a different perspective, you might want to change your power sockets for cosmetic purposes if you’re remodelling the interior of your home. Or perhaps you need to add some extra outlets to keep up with all the electronic devices and appliances we now use. You may also not have enough power outlets in certain rooms, especially if you live in an older house.
Whether you need new power point installations for aesthetic reasons or due to safety concerns, here’s what you can expect from a professional service by qualified and certified electricians.
Signs that you need power point replacement or repair
If there’s an issue with one of your power sockets, it can manifest in several ways, depending on the cause. You might feel a plug overheating when it’s connected, or notice slight burn marks around the socket. These are sure signs that you need an electrician to inspect it, find the cause and fix it. Under Australian law, you may not install your own power points.
The same is true if you hear buzzing sounds coming from the power outlet, of if the power supply it provides is intermittent. These point to a possible wiring fault behind the socket’s face plate.
Power point installation, step-by-step
One you’ve determined that you need to have a faulty power point looked at, or you’ve decided on new power point installations, here’s what you can expect when you call in an electrician.
Your electrician will follow a thorough step process. In the case of a problem with a socket, this will include a diagnosis on whether power point repair is possible, or whether you’ll need a power point replacement. For this example, we’ll assume that there is a problem.
Step 1: Inspecting the power point
The electrician’s first task is to visually inspect the exterior of the power point. There can be some obvious signs like the aforementioned discolouration or burn marks. They will then shut down your mains power so that they can safely remove the face plate and check the wiring behind the outlet. They’ll look for indications of wear and tear on any of the components, signs of overheating, or bad wiring that is causing intermittent performance.
Step 2: Removing the existing power point
Before fitting a new power point, the old one needs to be detached from the wall and removed. This requires a certain amount of skill in order not to damage the wiring or even the plaster on your wall.
Step 3: Power point repair
Your electrician needs to work out whether the problem lies with the power point unit itself, or with the wiring. They’ll first closely examine the power point, looking for issues like cracks in the face plate, or damage to the internal springs. If they find these, it’s possible to repair or replace the components, and you won’t need a new power point installation.
If the socket unit doesn’t appear to be damaged at all, the electrician will move on to examining the electrical wiring.
Step 4: Inspecting the wiring
This is a thorough inspection of all the wiring leading to and surrounding the power point, looking for any signs of wiring problems. These can be in the form of loose connections, frayed wires or incorrect wiring. If any issues are found, the electrician will repair or replace damaged wiring, replace the power point and test to see if the problem has been solved. If the socket works properly, without any noises or overheating, you’re good to go again.
However, if this doesn’t solve the problem, or if no wiring problems are found, then power point replacement is the next step.
Step 5: Power point installation
Replacing the power point is simply a matter of wiring up the new one correctly, and slotting it securely into your wall. If you’ve decided to change the type of power point, replacing a single socket outlet with a double socket, for instance, the electrician may have to change the size of the wall compartment.
Step 6: Functional and safety testing
The final step in the process for an electrician to install a power point is to run a series of tests to make sure that everything works properly and is safe to use again. This involves switching on the mains power and checking that all the connections are secure, that the power point circuitry is grounded properly, and that the power output is stable and consistent.
Upgrading to power points with USB sockets
If you’re considering replacing some of your existing power outlets with USB power points, there are a few things that you need to take into account. A bit of planning is required, but don’t forget that STL Electrical is always here to advise you on the details, like how to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
The first thing to note is that while USB power points are very convenient, they also draw more electrical power. This could put a strain on your existing circuitry, so your electrician will test its capacity to make sure that it can safely handle the extra demand.
If your home is an older one, the wiring circuitry might not be able to support modern USB sockets. In this case, you’ll need an electrician to analyse your current wiring and determine the kind of upgrades you’ll need to install USB power points.
Power point installation in Melbourne
You should always and only work with certified, professional electricians like ours, who have the necessary experience to repair or replace your power points safely, and in line with the required national and local standards and regulations. This won’t only give you peace of mind – you’ll also have the assurance that your new components or power points will perform properly according to the required benchmarks and have longevity.
When you’re noticing problems with your power points, call STL Electrical, for professional and convenient service in Melbourne and surrounding areas.
