PYE  

Paul Yates Electrical

Safety

Domestic electrical safety             Help section !What to do if...  

Many of the electrical problems and dangers that occur in the home can be described as 'dangerous plugs and flexes'. As you will have noticed over recent years, all new electrical goods are sold with a fitted (usually molded) 13A plug. This will reduce the number of incorrectly fitted plugs that are in use throughout the country every day. A considerable number of plugs have the incorrect fuse fitted. This can remove  the safety function of the fuse and then if a fault occurred there would be no protection. In the average home I can be almost certain to find one or more unsafe plug. 

Flexes are also often dangerous as the mechanical stress they can receive, breaks down the outer insulation and exposes the inner insulation. Another problem is the rated current  capacity of the flex. They are sometimes overloaded which can cause permanent damage to the flex or even a fire.

The Yorkshire Electricity Board has a useful section on their website which describes a range of safety issues. Click here to view
 Link to community fire safety website with advice leaflet

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