The dangers of doing your own electrical work
by David Audy on 05/28/13
There are very few good reasons to do your own electrical work in your home or small business. Hiring professional electricians in Victoria BC is the only way to ensure your property remains safe, legal, and fully insured. Some people think that they can save themselves a lot of money by skipping the pros, but the potential dangers—from legal issues to fatal accidents—far outweigh the savings. Not using licensed electrical contractors in Victoria BC could be a risky move that costs you everything.
Why DIY Electrical Work is Never “Easy”
Often the biggest challenge for someone with a budget is trying to get all their electrical work done for as cheap as possible. They think that they are capable of doing the work because maybe they saw a Victoria electrician doing it before and it seemed easy. A professional has years of training, and although it may seem easy when you watch a trained expert, it rarely is.
Victoria electricians know exactly what is safe and what is not. They know the laws and the electrical code, which greatly improves your chances to not encounter any problems. If someone was to do their own work, how would they know if they followed the proper codes and laws? When you hire electrical contractors in Victoria BC, they have the responsibility to stay current on those codes and to ensure that their entire team stays trained and up to date.
The Real Risks: Fires and Explosions
As an individual, do you know what causes fires or explosions when you do your own work? Experienced electricians know full well that improper terminations, wires touching each other, or too many wires closely interlaced together can create heat and lead to devastating fires.
A professional also knows that if you were to touch the wrong things with your tools, they could explode and severely hurt you. Even a seasoned expert can sometimes make a mistake and blow his tools up; imagine the risk for an unseasoned homeowner or business owner. Some explosions can cause 3rd-degree burns to your body—is that worth saving a few dollars?
Electrical Safety and Insurance
Professional electricians in Victoria BC know to turn off the circuits that feed the wires on which they are working. They have the specialized tools to see if those circuits are safe and de-energized.
Did you know that an electrical shock as minimal as 50mA can kill a person? Most outlets in your home carry 15 to 20 amps at any time, which is more than enough to cause death. Are you willing to risk your life to save a few dollars? Furthermore, if your property was to catch on fire due to improper electrical work, the insurance company would not cover you. Is it worth losing everything you’ve worked so hard for?
Peace of Mind with Professional Contractors
Electrical contractors in Victoria BC must be insured. If something was to happen, you would be covered and not lose any of your hard-earned possessions. Finally, consider the ultimate risk: what if the work you did caused a family member to get shocked or started a fire? How would you feel knowing that happened just to save a few dollars?
Professional electricians are worth every penny. Every time you hire a qualified electrical contractor in Victoria, you are making a wise investment in your safety.
I hope that by reading this blog post you will think twice about doing your own electrical work. There is no greater peace of mind than knowing your home is safe. At Absolutely Electrical, we are happy to help you avoid fatal mistakes and protect your home.
Thank you,
David Audy ( owner of Absolutely Electrical )