Safety Switches vs Circuit Breakers

Safety switches are key to keeping your home and family safe from electrical dangers. Whether you’re dealing with appliances, electrical wiring, or lighting circuits, electrical safety should always be number one.

Many people often use the terms safety switch and circuit breaker interchangeably, as though they do the same thing, but they do different jobs. Circuit breakers protect your wiring and equipment, while safety switches protect people from electric shocks by cutting power off when they detect an electrical fault.

Knowing the difference between the two, and understanding what’s in your switchboard and how it affects your electricity supply will help you prevent serious electric shocks and other risks in your home.

What’s In Your Switchboard?

Your electrical switchboard has numerous components that keep your home’s electrical circuits safe and working properly. Here’s a simple rundown of what you might find in a typical residential switchboard:

• Circuit breakers: The modern replacement for fuses, these circuit breakers protect your home from electrical fires and are easy to reset.
• Safety switches (RCDs): These protect people by cutting off power when an electrical fault or current leak is detected, preventing electric shock.
• Fuses: Made of porcelain, these days you’ll likely only find fuses in older homes as circuit breakers have largely superseded them.

Knowing what’s in your switchboard and how each component works goes a long way towards making your home as safe as possible when it comes to electricity.

What Is A Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is a safety device that protects the electrical wiring in your home from damage caused by overloading or short circuits.

When too much power flows through a circuit, the breaker will cut off the power supply to prevent electrical fires. Unlike old-fashioned fuses that you would need to replace when they blew, circuit breakers simply require you to flip a switch to replace them. They protect important areas like:

• your lighting circuit
• power points
• larger appliances like an air conditioner or hot water system

In the event of an electrical fault or current overload, the circuit breaker will trip. In most cases you’ll be able to reset the circuit with the flick of a switch. However, sometimes the fault is serious and the circuit breaker won’t reset. That’s when you’ll need an electrician to diagnose and fix the problem.

What Is A Safety Switch?

Also known as an RCD (Residual Current Device), a safety switch protect peoples from serious electric shock by cutting off the power when it detects a current leak.

Unlike a circuit breaker which protects electrical circuits and wiring, a safety switch prevents injury or death from faulty appliances or damaged wiring. It monitors the flow of electricity through power points, lighting circuits and other circuits like air conditioning or pool equipment.

Within milliseconds of a fault being detected, the safety switch will turn off the power and keep you safe from electric shock.

How Many Safety Switches Do I Need?

The number of safety switches you need depends on how your home’s electrical circuits are set up. Ideally, you should have one safety switch installed for each circuit in your switchboard. This will give you maximum protection across your whole home.

While you can have one safety switch cover multiple circuits, it’s always better to have individual safety switches installed. This will reduce nuisance tripping and protect against electrical faults. A licensed electrician can assess your needs and recommend the right number for your home.

Effective Protection Against Electrocution

While circuit breakers are great at preventing fires and protecting your wiring, they don’t protect against electrocution. This is where safety switches come in.

As we know, safety switches prevent electric shock by instantly shutting off the power if a fault is detected. For example, if a child uses a knife to get toast out of a toaster and accidentally becomes part of the circuit, the safety switch will cut off the power in milliseconds.

This life-saving protection is why safety switches are essential for every home.

The Importance of Testing Safety Switches

All new homes must have safety switches on vulnerable circuits like kitchen appliances or bathroom equipment. For example if someone accidentally drops their hair dryer into the bath, a functioning safety switch will cut off the power.

Like any device though, RCD switches can fail over time so it’s important to test them regularly. Each switch has a test button; it’s simply a button with a T on it. Press the T button and the switch should trip and cut the power to confirm it’s working.

Regular testing will ensure your safety switches protect you from electric shock when it matters most.

Safety Switch Regulations

Current Government regulations state that if you add any new devices to an electrical circuit, like a light or power point, you must install a safety switch to go with it. This also applies to new circuits installed in your home.

To give you even more electrical safety, there are combination safety switches and circuit breakers available. These are great for protecting your home’s wiring and the people inside from electric shock. Follow these regulations to reduce the risk of electrical hazards and get the right protection.

Get the Right Electrical Safety Protection

Knowing the difference between safety switches and circuit breakers is key to keeping your home safe from electrical hazards.

While circuit breakers protect your electrical circuitry and prevent fires, safety switches protect people from electric shock. Make sure you install both types of protection, especially in vulnerable areas such as:

• kitchens
• bathrooms
• other areas that use water and electrical equipment

Test your RCD switches regularly and consult a licensed electrician if you’re unsure about your home’s electrical safety.

Well maintained safety switches can save lives and protect your home from serious risks.