Safety Tip 2: Tripping Safety Switch

Safety switches come in basically three types being, switch board mounted, power point mounted or on an extension lead, they will probably look similar to these:

Safety switch extension lead

Safety switch - powerpoint

Safety switch - switchboard

The function of a safety switch is to protect against electrocution and therefore save lives by detecting a leakage of current to earth. They are usually calibrated to trip at 30mA of earth leakage with a tripping time of 1millisecond.

But it is not a substitute for common sense and we must always remember to be safe with electricity, never use appliances with frayed or damaged leads. If an appliance is identified as faulty do not use it until it has been repaired by a qualified person.

To restore the power if your safety switch has tripped follow this suggested sequence:

Please remember that a safety switch is a Safety Device. You should:
- never use appliances suspected to be faulty;
- always practice safe use of appliances;
- never use appliances near water.

Test your safety switch every month to ensure it is working, by pressing the test button, this simulates an earth fault!