03 Jan, 2023
Posted by rojie
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How To Find An Electrician (And Hire The Right One)

An electrician rarely has two days containing the same tasks, as they’re accountable for a myriad of duties and responsibilities. A day in the life of an electrician involves driving to clients and suppliers, resolving a broad range of electrical issues, testing electrical systems to ensure safety and delivering fair invoices to valuable clients.

If you need an electrician in Melbourne, read our trusty guide to what an electrician does, tips on selecting an electrician, questions to ask before scheduling a visit, a list of qualifications to identify and where to find a commercial electrician!

What Does an Electrician Do?

As the name suggests, an electrician oversees the instalment and maintenance of electrical fixtures. These tradespeople are paramount to everyday life, which relies heavily on electricity to operate smoothly. They’re skilled with tools such as wire strippers, screwdrivers, hack saws, electrical tape, hand drills and voltage testers. 

We employ several types of electricians ready for hire:

Residential: Residential electricians cater to homeowners and operate in various domestic locations, such as houses, apartments and bungalows. They oversee the installation and repairs of various home appliances like kitchen appliances, heating and cooling systems, televisions, internet connection and metre repairs.

  • Commercial: Commercial electricians work on the electrical systems at commercial buildings like retail shops, medical facilities, offices, hotels, restaurants and more. These tradespeople typically work with heavier-duty systems like larger lighting systems, air conditioning, electrical access controls and internet connection. 
  • Industrial: Industrial electricians work with high-scale electrical equipment in warehouses, factories, rigs and power plants. They deal with large switchboards and circuits, industrial-level lighting and advanced control panels. 

From these electricians, you may wonder, What type of electricians make the most money? This totally depends on whether the electrician operates as an independent trader, contractor or with an electrical company. As a client, you’ll need to consider the job at hand to ensure you receive an electrician with a licence that aligns with the requirements.

Calling a certified electrician is the best solution if you’re experiencing electrical failures around your property. Let’s dive into some of the services our electricians provide: 

Electrical Work

Although electrician work is at the forefront of an electrician’s role, this service is more complex than you’d think. Careful planning goes behind each job to guarantee the safety of those nearby. 

Before kick-starting implementing repairs or installations, an electrician performs accurate planning, which could involve reviewing architectural blueprints of a property, studying mechanical diagrams and creating drawings of expected repairs for transparency with clients. The planning process also comprises a thorough risk assessment to mitigate the risk of fires or harm to those nearby.

Once the planning is complete, they’ll focus on the job at hand. While electrical work applies to a broad spectrum of electrical sources, we’ve narrowed it down to a few core jobs:

  • – Fixing power sources like plugs and light switches
  • – Installing and activating kitchen appliances like fridges, washing machines, freezers, and ovens
  • – Establishing wireless connection
  • – Fitting electrical ventilators, HVAC systems, and dehumidifiers
  • – Testing circuits and switchboards

Electrical Wiring

Electrical wires are conductors that transfer electricity through a socket or circuit board from a power source to an appliance or system. 

As a client, you’ll regularly come face-to-face with wiring. Although you may be tempted to resolve an electrical error yourself, you must leave work to a certified professional. When diagnosing an issue with electrical wires, electricians look for symptoms like electrical trips, sparking noises, peculiar odours, flickering and warming of switch plates.

Electricians handle various wiring jobs, some as large as whole house rewiring, while others are minor switch rewiring. Our electricians will apply their deep understanding of Australian residential, commercial and industrial compliance regulations to ensure you’re not violating a policy. 

Electricians may need to call on additional equipment, such as drills and chisels, to get to wires positioned between walls or to feed new wires through solid fixtures like walls. They’ll measure gauges and the voltage of wires before installing new cables. 

Electrical Repairs

Our electricians spend considerable time attending to repairs. While some tradespeople specialise in a specific type of fixture, such as an oven or internet connection, ProPoint Electrical electricians have a comprehensive understanding of repairs, giving you confidence in the electrician’s solution for your overall property. Repair tasks can include but are not limited to:

  • – Oven and cooktops
  • – Ceiling exhausts, heating systems and cooling equipment
  • – LED, ceiling and sensory light replacement
  • – Metre box configuration
  • – Switch upgrade and maintenance
  • – Security systems like alarms, code pads and cameras
  • – Switchboard upgrades and repairs

Once a repair is complete, an electrician will run the necessary tests to ensure they leave all systems in working order. 

Lighting

Lighting can completely transform the ambience and security of your property but can be a real pain to repair, particularly when several lights are connected to a single switch. Fortunately, our skilled electricians have an excellent understanding of lighting systems such as:

  • – LED lights
  • – Ceiling lights
  • – Sensor lights for internal and external environments
  • – Security lights

Electricians will revise and diagnose any issues with the fixture, switch and connection wires to ensure they apply an accurate solution. If your current lights or cables need replacing, our electricians will make strong recommendations based on your needs.

Power Points

Power points, or general power outlet (GPO) if you want to get technical, refers to the contact point between an outlet and a source, such as an:

  • – Electrical sockets build into a wall’s structure
  • – Switchboard 
  • – Isolated switch
  • – USB power point
  • – Three-pin GPOs

  • If you’re experiencing issues with power, a licensed electrician will survey the power points in proximity to the area and diagnose the problem with various testing approaches. Common GPO issues are the demise of cable insulation overheating. They’ll always work on rewiring the conductors behind the power point to ensure safety and mitigate the risk of fires or structural damage.

Solar Power

Solar power offers an innovative alternative to eco-conscious homes looking to generate renewable energy–and when you’re in a country as sunny as Australia, why not make the most of the long-lasting solar rays? 

If you’re looking to invest in solar energy, you’ll need a skilled electrician to install and connect these unique power sources to your home. 

They do this by creating a PV source circuit that connects a positive and negative terminal of at least one panel. They’ll also run direct current (DC) wiring from the panel’s location, typically a roof, to your home’s electricity supply unit. 

Backup Generator

Backup generators operate on various scales, depending on the scale of the building they supply. You’ll commonly find backup generators in commercial and industrial spaces like hospitals, offices, factories and schools, although you can find residential-grade generators for lower-duty areas. 

A backup generator offers an essential Plan B for functional spaces that rely on electricity. For instance, a hospital needs a generator to maintain sufficient electrical supplies for medical equipment. Electricians will oversee the health of these generators and may attend urgent calls during a power outage to ensure the generator can cope with the new demand. 

Electricians will have an excellent understanding of the components found in a generator, enabling them to diagnose issues promptly. Common repairs include:

  • – Replacing batteries
  • – Installing new filters
  • – Maintaining the circuit breaker

Electrical Data Cabling

Electricians facilitate the installation and repair of data cabling, allowing you to enjoy the internet from your property or workplace. By law, you should leave electrical cabling duties to a certified electrician. A trusted electrician will facilitate the following:

  • – Antenna integration and repair
  • – Wireless networking
  • – Wireless system upgrade
  • – Telephone cabling

Depending on your requirements, an electrician may use a ladder or boom lift to reach high places like telephone poles and the exterior of multi-storey buildings. Electricians may discuss ways to optimise your wireless network during a briefing for various reasons like streaming, gaming and working.

Fibre Optic Cables

Like data cabling, fibre optic cables are advanced network conductors that provide impressive speed to technical devices like computers. They’re wired with a yarn or fibreglass rod to strengthen the cable. During installation, an electrician may use protective tubing and lubricant to ensure the longevity of the cables.

An electrician will apply best practices when handling fibre optic cables. For instance, they’ll measure accurate cable length to prevent stretching, create a smooth path for the line to sit to mitigate twisting and develop a port diagram to signify what each cable connects to.

Alarm Systems

Electricians play a significant role in strengthening a property’s security by fitting and connecting security cameras like CCTV, fixed corner cameras and access controls. 

Residential and commercial electricians also work with alarm systems such as house alarms, fire alarms, sensory alarms and intrusion detectors. Electricians will work on activating, testing, upgrading and maintaining alarm systems.

What to Remember Before You Hire an Electrician?

Hiring an electrician, you trust to complete a job correctly and treat your property respectfully is vital. Here are our top tips for hiring an electrician:

  • – Check authoritative reviews from trusted sites.
  • – Speak with previous customers to determine whether they had a good experience with the electrician.
  • – Ensure your electrician is licensed and aware of national, state and territory compliance before works commence.
  • – Meet with the electrician or contractor to discuss what you need, study their professionalism and enquire whether they have an area of specialty.

What Questions Must you Ask Before Hiring an Electrician?

Review the following questions with a short explanation for each before hiring an electrician: 

Are they Licensed?

Electricians must hold a licence before repairing or installing electrical equipment. You should also check whether they’re working with an apprentice and confirm what tasks they’ll complete ensuring compliance. 

Are They Insured?

Accidents happen, but working with an uninsured electrician could leave you and your property with costly damages. At ProPoint Electrical, we value our customers, ensuring that all our electricians work with the correct insurance.

Do They Have Valid References?

Word-of-mouth is a powerful source of information. Before enlisting an electrician’s services, consult previous customers to see whether the electrician resolved their faults in full, identify whether their work caused further issues and determine whether the electrician worked with professionalism and respect. With over 15 years in the business, we have many success stories we’d love to share with you.

Do They Have Positive Reviews on Google?

Google reviews contain a star-rating system and a case study describing the experience of an electrician. Look for reviews using keywords like reliable, efficient, safe, professional, honest, reasonably priced and long-term solutions. Our Google reviews are exemplary; remember to check them out.

Do They Give Competitive Quotes?

While low-cost fixes can feel like a quick resolution, you have to ask yourself whether a cheap service reflects an electrician’s effort. ProPoint Electrical prices reflect the quality of service we guarantee from our electricians. We’re dedicated to honesty, and no hidden costs are required.

Is There Anything That Can Stop You from Completing the Job?

Ideally, you’ll have all works completed by the same electrician for consistency. It also helps with diagnosing future issues, as working with an electrician over a prolonged period means they’ll better understand the electrical systems throughout your property. ProPoint Electrical values honesty and transparency. That’s why we’re proud to offer an impressive range of services for residential, commercial and industrial clients.

What Qualifications Do Electricians Need?

Have you ever wondered, “What is the most challenging part of being an electrician?” While getting qualified is undoubtedly challenging, achieving electrician status is very rewarding. When hiring an electrician, check for the following credentials:

  • – Certificate II in Electrotechnology from an authorised provider
  • – Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician (four-year course that includes an apprenticeship) from a registered training organisation
  • – Electricians’ Licence that’s valid in the state or territory in which they operate
  • – A White Card may be necessary when operating on a construction site

Need Help with Commercial Work?

Is your commercial building experiencing electrical faults? If so, you don’t need to look far. ProPoint Electrical works with certified and skilled electricians with a broad knowledge of commercial systems. 

Electrical contractors Melbourne are fully licensed, qualified and insured to relieve any concern about contracting an electrician. We’re committed to excellent customer service, so contact us today at 0401 757 325 to discuss how we can help.

Get a free quote!

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