thisplace.com.au - Are Your Electrical Leads SAFE?

The leads for your appliance and extension leads are constantly being moved and are sometimes damaged through wear and tear. In some cases, the damage to your leads is visible. The appliance may still operate but it could be unsafe. Checking your leads regularly is a good policy to follow.

Always use a qualified electrician

It is dangerous to make up or maintain your own electrical leads, in fact, it is illegal for an unqualified person to attempt to do any electrical work in Queensland. Using a qualified electrician to do your electrical work is good "health" insurance to protect yourself, family and friends.

No double-ended leads EVER!

Check the illustrations. If plug (A) was to be connected and switched "ON", plug (B) has exposed live pins that could kill or injure a person coming in contact with them.

Always buy ready made up leads

It's convenient! Extension leads - and products such as workshop lamps are readily available from your electrical retailer or department store. Ready made-up leads save time and money and they are safer than do-it-yourself ones!

Wearing shoes - Good insurance against electrical shock

Wearing shoes when using electrical appliances in laundries, or on concrete floors, or out of doors will give you extra protection against electric shock. Shoes should have dry insulating soles, ie. rubber or plastic. A large number of serious or fatal electrical accidents are the result of people being barefooted when coming in contact with electricity.

Regular maintenance is a wise precaution

It is dangerous to keep working with frayed, perished or damaged electrical leads, or to use any equipment in poor condition. Broken switches and power points are a constant risk. Cover them up right away. Then get your electrical contractor to replace them before there is an accident.

Neglect is a major cause of many electrical accidents. That is why safety conscious householders have a registered electrical contractor carry out a full maintenance check regularly, so why not a regular electrical maintenance check up?

Think safe, work safe, be safe

When an appliance needs adjusting or cleaning always switch off the power then pull out the plug (never by the cord!) before you start work.

Always recognise that a "tingle" or slight shock is a warning, do not use the appliance, call your electrician.

Take care near water, appliances may become dangerous if wet or may fall into water creating a shock hazard.

Safety switches saves lives!

In approximately 99% of potential electrical accidents involving electrical appliances, a safety switch will sense danger instantly, cutting off the power in a fraction of a second.

Safety switches are available as permanently installed or portable units. They either can be built into the plug of an extension lead during manufacture or can be plugged into a power point ahead of an extension lead or power tool.

Although safety switches are a proven method of preventing serious electric shock, they are not a substitute for proper electrical maintenance and safe work practices.

Shock prevention from partially exposed pins

In high risk areas (eg. areas frequented by children), consideration should be given to preventing shocks that may occur through contact with partially disconnected plugs. This can be achieved by using plugs with insulated pins or recessed type power points or by placing the power points out of reach.

Insulated pins, powerpoints out of reach, recessed powerpoints.

For further information contact the Electrical Safety Office or call (07) 3237 0220

Source: Queensland Government, are your Electrical leads Safe? brochure