Your company was founded in Australia over 50 years ago in its current location. The building has become something of an icon, a symbol of your business with as much brand recognition as your name and logo, so moving to new quarters is out of the question! Unfortunately, age takes its toll. It’s easy to see if the carpets need changing, or if the walls need a new coat of paint, the problem is what you don’t see behind those walls – the electrical wiring.
Having your building rewired is a massive undertaking, and likely to be expensive. The thing is, just letting things go on as they are could end up being even more expensive, not just monetarily, but with a cost in human lives that can’t be calculated. The good news is there are modern electrical solutions that can help you bring your marvellous old building up to speed without as much hassle and expense as you might think.
The first thing to do is consider the state of the current wiring. The following are some warning signs to be on the lookout for:
Your building is older than 40 years– A lot has changed in 40 years, including electrical wiring types and increased safety standards. Old wiring can be dangerous, with some types being more so than others. For example, during the 1960s and 1970s aluminium was often used instead of traditional copper. It was cheaper, but also not as resistant to changes in temperature, which could weaken its ability to make good connections, and increase the likelihood of it becoming hazardous.
The lights are flickering or dimming– The first thing to do is check the bulbs. If they have been replaced recently and are securely connected and the malfunctions persist, then you have a problem, and that problem is most certainly going to stem from dangerous faulty wiring.
The smell of burning– A burning odour and smoke in the vicinity of electrical outlets or switches is a telltale sign that there is big trouble brewing. Cease the use of the switches or outlets right away, turn off any circuit breakers connected to them, and call an electrician for help immediately before you have to call fire and rescue!
These are just some of the signs, even before they happen it’s a good idea to have your building’s wiring checked by an electrician annually, better safe than sorry!
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