Are Your Houses Electrical Components Up To Quality Standards?
With lots of manufacturers selling electric components it is very important that the parts we operate in our homes are up to the mark. The safe way is to purchase our parts from well known retailers and wholesalers on the high street. Through these stores you can purchase top brands like Osram. There are however, many parts at hand via the internet and from other lands. On the whole they are of a perfect standard but in a small few cases, they will not be certified to an recognised safety standard. When choosing these products we should without exception make sure that they are recognised for the UK marketplace. In order for a fixing to be sold in the UK it has to be equipped with the correct approval markings. The CE marking is extremely important and shows that the fixing is approved to European safety legislation and that it is safe for use and built to an recognised safety standard. This CE mark is sometimes displayed on the packaging of the part as well as the fixing itself but the CE marking can be seen in the form of a sticker on the product.
There are lots of popular electrical corporations that are recognised as household brands, for example Osram, but there are lots more companies out there making excellent quality items that are more likely to be known in the building and electrical trades. For reassurance you can purchase products from the big manufacturers in many of the more popular stores and high street hardware stores, in the knowledge that the components have been built to the best standards of safety. However, if you uncover a part and you are not aware of the company, research them on the internet and find out a little bit about them. You will probably find they are a large company with a perfect reputation in the trade and their products are approved for sale in Europe.
Also, other details must also be taken into consideration when choosing electric parts for use within the home. Make sure the item you are choosing is right for the job. Make sure you know what specification component you need. This must include, voltage, Amp rating and operating temperature. If you don’t use the correct part it may suffer from overheating that may lead to malfunction or even fire. It’s not just the item that requires this attention either. Make sure you utilise the correct rated wiring for any electrical installation in and around the house. Be conscious that items like electric cookers and showers need a higher amp rated power supply to operate safely. Again if the correct wiring is not utilised it could lead to overheating, failure or in extreme cases, fire.
When you are satisfied that your part is safe and right for your requirement, it’s equally important to make sure it is installed correctly. Always turn the power off before fitting any fixing. If you are not sure which source you need to turn off, play it safe and switch off the entire power at its main source. Make electric connections are secure and only expose enough cable core to guarentee a good, tight join. Poor connections can cause sporadic operation and can also cause sparks. Excessive stripped cable core may lead to short circuits and knock out your electricity. Always make sure products are installed fully and earthed where necessary, before switching the electricity and testing.
This advice may be simple, but there is nothing more important than safety in our households. So, always pick the right item for the job, make sure it carries the appropriate safety and quality certification and make sure it’s fitted right. If you aren’t totally confident installing any electric item yourself, always employ a trained, qualified tradesman.
BTF Lighting are leading UK supplier of Osram Products
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