The need to be safe is one every human resonates with. This is why we put in the best effort to protect our homes with locks, CCTV, sprinklers, etc. In the same way, we should also consider our safety as it relates to electric supply in the home.

In this article, we seek to enlighten you about one of the best ways you can protect yourself from electrical hazards – safety switches.

What is a Safety Switch?

Safety switches are devices that protect us from electrical shocks by turning off the power supply when it detects imbalances in the electricity being supplied. Beyond preventing electrical hazards, such as fire outbreaks and shocks, safety switches also protect circuits and appliances.

How is a Circuit Breaker Different from a Safety Switch?

A common mistake people make is thinking safety switches to be the same as circuit breakers, and this is not far-fetched, as they are slightly similar to each other.

Like the safety switch, a circuit breaker cuts off the power supply when it detects anomalies in the electricity. These anomalies could include a short circuit, high currents, and circuit overloads. However, unlike the safety switch, it only works to protect the electrical circuits from being damaged due to the fluctuations occurring.

Different Types of Safety Switch Available

There are three types of safety switches which can be used to protect you from electric shocks or fire outbreaks. Two of them - the switchboard safety switch and the power point safety switch – are complex, and therefore require a skilled expert to install them. These two types of safety switches provide protection for extension cords, other electrical appliances, and electrical circuits.

The last type of safety switch that is available is the portable safety switch, which can be installed and removed at ease. It is mostly used by individuals who work with power tools and often encounter circuits without a safety switch installed in them.

Testing Your Safety Switch

If you have had your safety switch installed for a while, always carry out periodic tests to ensure it is working optimally. This you can achieve with the following steps:

• * Open your electrical switchboard and look for the button labelled “T” or “Test”.

• * Press the button and watch the safety switch.

• * If the safety switch flips off then it is working well; if not, call your electrician to come in and check for faults.

If it works fine, but you find your safety switch nuisance tripping after a while, you can reset it by turning it off and turning it back on.

Conclusion

Now you have the basic knowledge of what a safety switch is, it’s up to you use them to keep your family safe from electrical hazards. Go ahead and check your electrical switchboard, and if you don’t find a safety switch there, call a qualified installer to install the one best suited to your home.