Electrical

Safety switch (RCD) installation and testing

A safety switch cuts the power in a fraction of a second when it senses electricity leaking to earth, which is what protects you from a serious shock. We fit and test them across Perth.

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Licensed and family-run from Wilson since 2014.

What does a safety switch actually do?

It watches for electricity leaking to earth, through a person or a faulty appliance, and trips the circuit in milliseconds. A circuit breaker does not do this; it only protects against overload.

The short answer: A safety switch (RCD) cuts the power in a fraction of a second when it senses electricity leaking to earth, which is what protects you from a serious shock. We fit and test them across Perth.

A safety switch, or RCD, is the device that protects people. A circuit breaker and a fuse protect the wiring from overload, but only an RCD reacts fast enough to a shock.

We fit RCDs at the switchboard and test that they trip correctly, as part of our wider electrical work.

A safety switch (RCD) with its test button on a home switchboard

How many safety switches should a home have?

Modern practice is RCD protection across the circuits in the home, not just one or two. Specific WA requirements change over time, so we confirm what applies to your property.

Power circuits
Lighting circuits
Test button on each
Tested on completion

Older homes were often fitted with a single RCD, or none at all. Spreading protection across the circuits means a fault on one does not plunge the whole house into darkness.

Rental and sale obligations for RCDs in WA are set by the regulator and can change. We check the current position rather than quote a rule that may have moved.

Why does my safety switch keep tripping?

A tripping RCD is usually doing its job: it has found a genuine fault, often a faulty appliance or moisture in a circuit. We trace it rather than just reset it.

Repeatedly resetting a tripping safety switch hides a real fault. We find the appliance or circuit at fault so it is fixed, not ignored.

If yours trips often, see our fault finding service, or book an electrical inspection.

FAQ

Common safety switch questions

A circuit breaker protects the wiring from overload and short circuits. A safety switch (RCD) protects people by cutting power when it detects a leakage to earth. A home needs both.

A common guide is to press the test button every few months; it should cut the power immediately. If it does not, call us. We can confirm the right interval for your setup.

No. Switchboard work must be done by a licensed electrician, both for safety and so the work is tested and certified.

It depends on your board and how many circuits need protecting, so we quote up front before any work starts. Request a quote and we will sort it.