They sit quietly in the background of everyday life, but RCD safety switches and smoke alarms are two of the most important safety systems in a home.
Most of us rarely think about either until something trips, starts beeping or needs replacing. Taking a few minutes to understand what is installed in your Perth home can be worthwhile, particularly in an older property or before selling or renting a home.
What Does an RCD Actually Do?
A residual current device, commonly called an RCD or safety switch, is designed to rapidly disconnect the electricity supply when it detects current flowing along an unintended path.
That is different from the role of an ordinary circuit breaker or fuse. Those devices primarily protect wiring against excessive current and short circuits, while an RCD provides important protection against electric shock.
RCDs are an important part of protecting people in the home against serious electrical incidents.
How Many RCDs Should a WA Home Have?
The precise requirements depend on the property and electrical installation.
For Western Australian residential properties being sold, rented or hired, at least two RCDs are required to protect the relevant final sub-circuits supplying socket outlets and lighting. Additional RCD protection may be necessary depending on the installation.
There is an important distinction for older homes: requirements applying to newer electrical installations do not automatically mean every circuit in every older home must retrospectively be upgraded.
If you're uncertain about what protection your switchboard provides, a licensed electrician can inspect it and explain what is actually installed.
Don't Forget to Test Your RCDs
Having an RCD isn't much help if it doesn't operate correctly.
RCDs have a test button, normally marked T or Test, which allows their operation to be checked. WA electrical safety guidance recommends regular testing in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, or every three months where appropriate.
If an RCD does not switch off immediately during the test, or won't remain on when reset, it should be checked by a licensed electrical contractor.
What About Smoke Alarms?
Smoke alarms provide another important layer of protection by giving occupants early warning of a fire.
WA requirements vary according to factors including when a dwelling was built or renovated and whether it is being sold, rented or hired.
For homes subject to sale, rent or hire requirements, compliant alarms generally need to be operational, permanently connected to mains power and no more than ten years old. There are specific circumstances where approved battery-powered alarms may be permitted.
Depending on the age and circumstances of the property, interconnection requirements may also apply so that activation of one alarm causes other interconnected alarms to sound.
How Old Are Your Smoke Alarms?
Smoke alarms don't last indefinitely.
If you have lived in the same house for many years, it is worth checking the date marked on the alarms rather than assuming they are fine simply because pressing the test button still produces a sound.
Smoke alarms that have reached their specified replacement age should be replaced. Ten years is an important benchmark for residential smoke alarms in WA.
If you don't know when your alarms were installed, checking their manufacturing or replacement date is a sensible place to start.
RCDs and Smoke Alarms When Selling or Renting
This is an area where homeowners can be caught by surprise.
Western Australia has specific requirements for RCD protection and smoke alarms when residential property is sold, rented or hired.
If you're preparing a property for sale or lease, it makes sense to establish compliance before you're approaching settlement or a new tenancy.
The exact requirements can depend on the property and installation, so an inspection is preferable to assuming that an older installation complies because it has never caused a problem.
When Should You Call an Electrician?
Consider arranging an electrical inspection if you're unsure whether your home has adequate RCD protection, an RCD fails its test, your smoke alarms are approaching or beyond their replacement age, you're preparing a property for sale or rent, or you simply don't know how old the equipment is.
Mains-powered smoke alarm installation and other fixed electrical work should be performed by an appropriately licensed electrical professional.
Electrical Safety for Perth Homes
Electrical safety equipment is easy to ignore precisely because, when everything is working properly, you rarely notice it.
A simple check of your switchboard and smoke alarms can tell you a great deal about the safety systems protecting your home.
Steven Murphy Electrical Contractors can inspect, install and replace residential RCD safety switches and smoke alarms throughout Perth.
Need your RCDs or smoke alarms checked or replaced? Contact Steven Murphy Electrical Contractors to discuss the electrical safety equipment in your home.