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> Here is an unusual picture i took on a job recently of a 15 Amp socket that has been turned into a 20 amp socket!

> Both grinding down pins and enlarging sockets not only void appliance warranties, but also are extremely dangerous!

> Give Lachlan a call at Buchan Electrical and I can design an install a power circuit that is safe, legal and gets the job done properly! >
>

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Well my son has just bought some musical lights with his own 20 bucks that he’s worked hard to earn. Luckily he wants to put them in his bedroom and not the lounge-room! (They are quite 80’s computer music sounding).

Well the lights are fun but only if they are safe.

We all remember those spiky dodecahedron type lights when we were kids. You know the ones? you snuck out to see if Santa had been yet and accidentally stepped on a stray spiky piece, desperately hoping as you collapsed your leg to escape the spike pain that there were no more on the floor.

Ok most things back then were not safe. But now we have “options”
Im not sure that You can buy those collector item lights anymore but even if you could then they always ran on 240 volts. So if you broke a globe it could be very dangerous as the filaments were alive and could kill you. ( not a good Christmas)

So these days if you see lights with just a plug (like I did today in a major chain store) and no transformer ( the box thing that plugs in the wall) don’t buy it!!!!

Make sure it extra low voltage such as 12 volt, 24 volt or 32 volt.
This way of you break a globe it’s still safe.

Better still buy extra low voltage LED lights (light emitting diode)
They use hardly any power, don’t have glass to cut you if they break, have a long lamp life typically 30,000 hours (about 108 Christmas’ ) and run on extra low voltage power supplies most of the time.

Now, all that is hard to beat!!

Only thing to remember now is only use the lights outdoors if rated for outdoor use and, most importantly if they are musical one put them in the kids bedroom, not the lounge room!!!

O.k. So we’ve got the lights out of the way, now there’s only the safety switch issue and overloading power points issue to worry about!
I think il write on that another time though!

Buchan ElectricalPhone 0439 688 999www.buchanelectrical.com

Registered Electrical Contractor 16499
Electrical License 36895

Photo by tarale

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Take a drive to Eldorado just near Beechworth and turn up cemetery Rd Just 2km up the road this big windmill pumps from 116 metres deep!

In fact I’m so sure it’s the biggest working water pumping windmill in both height and fan size in North East Vic that if you find a water pumping mill that is taller and has a larger fan … be the first to prove it and I’l get you a slab of cider or beer from Victoria’s Smallest pub (also here in Eldorado Victoria).

On the other hand, If you want a bigger windmill installed, I can install one for you.

Give me a call if you’d like to discuss!

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Always be aware and if you see an electrical problem, get it fixed straight away.
In this case, the customer had safety switches, but the spa was hardwired, therefore not on a safety switch.

These exposed, uninsulated pins on a capacitor are live 240 volts on a high current circuit and are quite capable of causing death, especially if you are barefoot or touching the metal motor they are mounted on.

It was mounted about half a meter off the ground, perfect height for a children to have access.

If you see a problem, get it fixed. Quick!!

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If you are the sort of person that doesn’t mind Rats, Mice and Spiders, Get up in your roof and have a quick look around with a good torch.

It doesn’t always take a licensed electrician to notice that something may be wrong. If any of the listed electrical problems are visible, give me a call and I can repair them or If I can’t, I will tell you who to call:

• Old crumbling ductwork on heating or cooling systems,
• Lack of roof insulation,
• Leaking plumbing pipes, broken roof tiles or “bird holes” and nests under your tin roof edge,
• Fallen off or missing lagging on your hot water pipes,mouse chewed wiring, ( never touch these wires, give me a call immediately)
•  Missing junction boxes on wiring. ( you should only be able to see white cable or green and green/yellow wires, never red or black wires)
• Use of extension leads, power boards or double adaptors for fixed wiring.
• Keep an eye out for my future tips on Extra Low Voltage Downlights.

If you are ever unsure of the condition of your roof space, just give me a call and I can book in to check it for you, or ask me to have a look for you next time I’m doing so work for you.

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While the design of a smart meter will vary by date, with different power companies and your geographical location, here is an idea of what one might look like.

This meter pictured is smart meter capable and the aerial cable coming out of it easily shows it has already been enabled to work as a smart meter.

On the end of the aerial cable is a block of metal which is the aerial and is usually attached to either the side of the meter box or the meter box door.

This meter is on a property I worked on in the Melbourne suburbs, but is identical to the smart meter capable meter I have installed at my own workshop, (however mine has not yet had an aerial cable installed).

Once a smart meter has been enabled, It allows the power company to remotely read the meter, remotely switch the power supply off and on in the case of moving out of or into a house and also to allow for a greater number of tariffs which may, down the track work in your favour if you can use your peak power at different times of the day to most other people with the use of timers and contactors.

For example, If you have an overhead tank you pump water into, I can install timers and float switches to allow the water to top up the tank when a float calls for water and b) when a certain time has been reached, for example 2300 hours when our current off peak time has been reached. A lot of people, especially those without natural gas, have off peak available. This is just one way you can save on power bills.

Hopefully, down the track, I can also make some of the new smart meter tariffs that may be created work with you, rather than against you.

Don’t forget to ask me about any updates on smart meters next time you see me.

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Sometimes the plug in fuse wedge may even be the incorrect rating for the holder. Never allow anyone to replace a fuse holder with the incorrect size wire or fuse wedge. Find out the cause of a blown fuse to prevent a possible live cable lying around. and if in doubt, give me a call.

Next time I am doing a job for you, Don’t forget to ask me to check any old fuse boards for the correct fuse wedge, wire size and wire type.

Questions? Call Wangaratta Electrician Lachie Buchan on 0439 688 999

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