The switch that saves lives!

Every NSW householder is legally responsible for making your home safe and that includes your electricity use. If you run a business, the safety of everyone on your premises is your responsibility.

Besides ensuring you only use qualified and experienced electricians (like us), you can reduce the risk of electrical safety problems by installing safety switches. Here’s the low-down on how safety switches work and what you should know once they’re installed.

Safety switch 101

Safety switches provide protection against electric shock. They monitor the flow of electricity and turn it off within milliseconds if a current leak is detected. A leak can happen if you have a faulty powerpoint, wiring or electrical appliance.

If you are building, extending or renovating, it’s a legal requirement to have a safety switch (also called a Residual Current Device or RCD). Even if you aren’t planning a renovation, you should make sure you have a safety switch for the safety of yourself, your family, pets and belongings. A safety switch will literally save your life!

Test them regularly

Over the past year, we have regularly found old and faulty safety switches in people’s homes. It’s relatively quick for us to fix them. But they should be tested by you every 3 months.

It’s easy to check your safety switch. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Turn off all computers, TVs, lamps etc. before testing your safety switch.
2. Open your switchboard and locate the “test” button.
3. Press it. The safety switch should flick to the “off” position.
4. If it does, flick it back to the “on” position to turn your power back on.
5. If it doesn’t, call us!

Was your house built before 1977?

If your house was built before 1977, it’s unlikely to have an earth rod. An earth rod provides a low-resistance path to ground so you should consider having one installed. We can check this for you and fit one if needed.

Report electrical accidents

If the worst should happen and you experience an electrical accident requiring medical treatment, you are legally required to report it. Call your electricity provider or NSW Fair Trade on 13 32 20. Employers must report accidents to SafeWork NSW.

To reduce the risk of electrical accidents, it’s vital to keep your appliances, electrical wiring, fittings, switchboard and earthing connections in good working order. If you ever have (or suspect) a problem, contact us on 0418 442 578 or info@kuring.com.au.

Winter Special

Your safety is always our priority. That’s why we only use high quality materials that meet Australian Standards. It’s also the reason we are making this very special offer - a free electricity safety check for your home.

If you have an electrical problem that’s worrying you, get in touch to book in your no obligation visual safety check during the month of July

Normally this would cost you $150 (GST incl.).

To take advantage of this special winter electrical safety check, please call or email us. Phone 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au

Remember, this special offer is only available during July.

Smoke alarms – what you need to know

Each year, over 50 Australians die from house fires and many more are injured.  Most of these homes don’t have working smoke detectors. We lose our sense of smell when we’re asleep so we can’t smell the smoke.

Having a working smoke detector reduces your chance of dying in a house fire by half because a working smoke detector provides an early warning and time to escape.  (Source:  ACCC Winter Wellness Tips)

3 Tips to ensure your smoke detector is working

1. Change the batteries regularly (every 6-12 months) or switch to a photoelectric smoke detector with a rechargeable lithium ion battery. We can install these for you.
2. Always use a smoke detector that complies with Australian Standard AS3786.
3. Install a new smoke detector every 10 years. They are not made to last longer than that. If you aren’t sure of the age of your smoke detector, change it anyway. It could save your life!

How to get the right light for your home office or kids’ study area

Shorter daylight hours means more time with the lights on. The right lighting in your kids’ study areas and/or your home office makes working easier and more comfortable. Importantly, it also helps to minimise the risk of eye strain.

Here are 5 tips to shed the right light in your home office or kids’ study area.

1. For the brightest light, go for cool white globes.
2. LED downlights are a great option because they have a wide beam which reflects light off your walls and cupboards.
3. Wherever possible, position your downlights directly above the desk area.
4. If you have shelves or cupboards above your desk, LED strip lighting kits are an ideal solution, thanks to their simple plug-in installation.
5. Desk lamps are another way to shed extra light on your work. Just make sure you use LED globes to reduce the risk of overheating or burns. (Burns become an issue when the lamp is close to your skin – especially for your kids.)

For information and advice about home and office lighting, call us on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au.

Keeping warm from the ground up

As the days and nights get cooler, there’s nothing better than coming home to a nice warm house and underfloor heating is becoming a popular alternative.

Improved technology and design over recent years have led to kits that are easier to install and provide better heating for all types of floor surfaces and room sizes.

Underfloor heating has several advantages over traditional heating systems, including:

1. Economy and efficiency – underfloor heating takes advantage of the combined effects of hot air rising and the way concrete and tiles retain heat. This makes it a very economical option.
2. It produces radiant heat - heat is evenly distributed throughout the room, eliminating any hot or cold spots.
3. There are no moving parts which means underfloor heating is maintenance free.
4. There are no hot surfaces, making it very safe especially if you have curious little people or pets.
5. They come with thermostats, so you are in control of your comfort and energy use.
6. Underfloor heating is completely quiet, hidden from view and doesn’t take up valuable floor space in your home.
7. If your energy provider offers time-of-use electricity rates, you can use the underfloor heating when rates are at their cheapest and use the thermal mass of the floor to help maintain the heat. That way you avoid using your heating when power tariffs are at their highest.

For new builds and additions, we can easily install lengths of heating cable in the screed or slab. For existing homes, some new options are available that make installation simpler than ever, such as pre-configured mat roll kits that can be laid under tiles, carpet, laminate and floating timber flooring.

Contact us to discuss how underfloor heating could work in your home.

For all your home and office wiring needs, contact Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service on

0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au to arrange a time for our team to visit you.

11 things everyone should know about storm safety

Over the past few months, Sydney has been hit by a number of bad storms. Lightning, heavy rain and strong winds can affect our power supply and put us in physical danger. So what should you do to weather those stormy days and nights?

Here are 11 tips to help you before, during and after a storm.

Before the storm

1. General maintenance will always help in a storm. It’s the little things like:

• Clearing gutters so they work efficiently to prevent water leaking into your home.
• Storing lightweight garden furniture, the kids’ outdoor toys, ladders and other items that could cause damage or turn into missiles in strong winds.

2. Be aware of branches growing close to windows or other parts of your home. They could cause significant damage in strong winds.
3. Know where your switchboard (also known as a fuse box) is and ensure it is covered to prevent water damage.

4. Always have a torch and check the batteries to ensure it will work. Candles and a fully charged mobile phone will also be useful if the lights go out.

5. If possible, move your car so it’s away from trees.

6. Unplug sensitive items such as computers, modems, TVs and devices like mobiles and tablets.

During a storm

7. Don’t use a landline during a thunder storm. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (http://www.bom.gov.au/storm_spotters/spotter_safety.shtml), you are at risk of electrocution or a deafening sound blast. Mobiles and cordless phones are safe to use during a thunderstorm providing you remain indoors. Their metal components will place you at risk of being struck by lightning if you use these devices outdoors.

8. Remain indoors – that includes your pets (if possible).

After the storm

9. Beware of fallen powerlines. They could be hidden in trees or other debris so be cautious.

10. If you come across fallen powerlines, assume they are live. Don’t touch them or anything else that may be in contact with the powerline (such as a branch). In fact Ausgrid recommends you remain at least 8 metres away from a fallen powerline.

11. Report all fallen powerlines to Ausgrid on 13 13 88. To check power outages in your area visit https://www.ausgrid.com.au/poweroutages

Surge Protection Tips for your Home and Office

You can protect your home or office from power surges in 2 ways.

1. There are many good value powerboards available that include surge protection. They work by protecting the appliances plugged into it should another appliance short circuit.

2. You can also protect your home or office from external power surges by adding surge protectors to your switchboard. They are particularly useful if you live in an area that is susceptible to storms.

For more information on how to add surge protectors to your home or office switchboard, or for help with any of your electrical requirements, contact the team on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au 

Home automation – one switch at a time

If you’ve been thinking about automating your home but been concerned about the cost, there’s now a great reason to take the next step. With new Australian brand Powermesh, you can get the process started one powerpoint or light switch at a time.

NO extra wiring is required – making installation easier and more affordable than ever.

The Powermesh range allows you to:

1. Use your phone for remote monitoring or Google Assistant for voice activation

You can turn lights and appliances on or off while you’re away from home or the office. For example, if you’ve gone out and forgotten to turn off your air-conditioner or iron, you can do it from your mobile device.

2. Lock powerpoints to make them child-proof

Simply unlock the powerpoints when you want to plug in an appliance like a vacuum cleaner. This feature is ideal for homes with young children, childcare centres and some aged care centres where residents need help to stay safe.

3. Choice!

With the Powermesh range, you choose which powerpoints and light switches you automate. For example, you can automate the powerpoints for your fridge and/or freezer. Then if there’s a power failure, you’ll receive an automatic warning.

This function is great for holiday homes or for people who travel regularly, to ensure frozen food is still safe to eat when you return home.

4. Monitor energy use

By converting some of your existing powerpoints over to the Powermesh range, you’ll be able to monitor your energy consumption and identify your biggest power guzzlers.

5. Limit access to power

In strata scheme common areas, for example, you can use Powermesh for common area powerpoints so only authorised people (like cleaners) can access strata-funded power.

The Powermesh range of products is gradually being released. The current range includes double powerpoints and single light switches. We’ll advise you in future newsletters as new products join the Powermesh range.

In the meantime, if you would like to start automating your home or office with these cool products, simply let us know by calling on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au

Things you may not know about safety switches

A safety switch quickly turns off the electricity supply if an electrical fault is detected. This helps to minimise the risk of electricity-related fires, shock, injury and death.

In NSW, safety switches are mandatory in all new buildings and must be added if extensions or alterations are made to an existing building. These regulations apply to both residential and commercial buildings like factories, offices and warehouses.

In QLD & Victoria, it is already mandatory for all rental properties to have safety switches installed. It’s expected these regulations will extend to NSW investment properties in the foreseeable future. So we recommend being pro-active.

While safety switches should last many years, it’s important to check them regularly because they can stop working. If this occurs, it’s often a relatively quick and easy job to replace the switches to ensure you are safe and compliant again.

Don’t risk an electrical accident. Check your safety switch is working and contact us if you have any concerns.

For all your home and office wiring needs, contact Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au to arrange a time for us to visit you.

The tradition continues …

Have you ever noticed how some people seem destined for a certain career?

When I (Matt) was a kid, one of my earliest electrical feats was creating a Morse code machine with my neighbour.

After crafting our contraptions from odds and ends, we would communicate with each other, every evening, until the phase wore off.

Another highlight was developing a burglar alarm for my bedroom door. Using a cassette deck, bits of wire and a crude switch, my device announced an intruder with a cry of “Help, murder, help!” which I had pre-recorded. My unfortunate uncle was very startled when he innocently entered my room one day.

Luckily, no-one succumbed to a more sophisticated security system I later wired up to 240 volts!

In 1994, the time came to amp up my electrical career, so I began an apprenticeship with Ku-ring-gai Electrical Service. The business had begun in the 1970s and by the time I joined the team, Steve McWhirter was the owner.

When Steve retired in 2010, I purchased the business from him.

A team of bright sparks

Many of you will have met Pat Dobbs, one of our team members. About 6 years ago he began his apprenticeship with us. He had previously studied accounting but he decided it wasn’t for him. So Pat traded a career in the books for one on the tools. He finished his apprenticeship a few years ago and decided to stay on as a fully qualified electrician.

It turns out Pat and I make a great team so this year Pat joins the business as a partner … and so the tradition continues with our apprentices staying on to become owners of the business.

Still doing the sparky stuff!

Two bright sparks are better than one, so we’ll both be “doing the sparky stuff” and providing the same reliable, professional service that you’ve come to trust. But Pat’s accounting and business skills will also add a new dimension to the behind-the-scenes running of the business.

We are excited to continue to offer you a reliable electrical service that will never compromise you or your family’s safety.

If your home or office requires electrical work, get in touch on 0418 442 578 or email info@kuring.com.au

6 Fun facts about electricity

1. The basic principles of electricity generation were discovered during the 1820s and early 1830s by British scientist Michael Faraday. His method is still used today.
2. Thomas Edison invented more than 2,000 new products, including almost everything needed for us to use electricity in our homes, such as switches, fuses, sockets and meters.
3. The first power plant – owned by Thomas Edison – opened in New York City in 1882. His Pearl Street Power Station provided electricity for 85 buildings.
4. Australia’s first recorded use of electricity was in 1878. It was used to light Sydney’s General Post Office.
5. The first street in the world to be lit by electric bulbs was in the UK – Mosley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1879.
6. The first successful electric car was built in 1891 by American inventor William Morrison.

We found these fun facts at Globird Energy and Alliant Energy Kids.