3 Key Signs Your Office Needs Electrical Maintenance

Regular electrical maintenance is crucial to avoid dangerous hazards and keep safety at a high level. Besides safety, it also improves energy efficiency, thereby reducing power costs. The best way to ensure you get the benefit of electrical maintenance is to schedule regular checks. However, if you haven’t done so yet, look for signs that your office needs electrical maintenance.

To keep your office cost effective, Azz Industries, the ultimate electrical contractor offering the best electrical services in Brisbane and the surrounding area, has come up with five key signs indicating you need an electrical contractor to conducting a maintenance check.

Top 3 Signs You Need Electrical Maintenance

  1. Flickering Lights

Even though people see flickering lights as a trivial issue, when it happens constantly, it is a sign of a potential major issue. Not only will persistent flickering lights distract office staff from their tasks, but it will also lead to vision problems, headaches, and reduced energy levels. Plus, your power bills are likely to increase.

That said, consider that an independent specialist can do an inspection, preferably an electrical thermal scan, to identify the cause and any other potential electrical hazards. Luckily, Azz Industries is the number one electrical contractor offering thermal inspection so they easily and quickly get the job done.

  1. Sparks when Plugging or Unplugging Devices

The second sign of the need for electrical maintenance and an outlet check are sparks when plugging or unplugging devices. However, if this happens only from time to time – like a brief spark – it can be normal due to a rapid draw of power.

But if there are sparks every time you plug or unplug a device, you should definitely seek professional help. There’s a high chance of a serious problem, pointing to either excessive heat in your outlets – which could eventually lead to melting wire insulation and a potential fire – or water exposure that could short out the circuit.

  1. Circuit Breaker Trips Frequently

Finally, the circuit breaker might trip occasionally and you usually will just reset it. However, if it happens regularly, it may be a sign of an underlying electrical issue to address as soon as possible. Most of the time, circuit breakers trip as a result of either a circuit overload or a circuit shorted to ground.

A circuit overload can be quite complex and needs special equipment to test and identify the cause, which could lead to serious injury in case of a short circuit. The latter indicates an issue in the electrical conductors, including the wires, but the issue could also have its roots in other components. This is why you need a professional inspection specialist offering electrical services to carefully check wiring and connections and determine the cause of the problem.

The Bottom Line

The most common signs your office needs electrical maintenance include, but are not limited to, flickering lights, sparks when plugging/unplugging devices, and tripped circuit breakers. If you notice any of these or other suspicious occurrences, or you simply want to avoid hazards and ensure safety, don’t hesitate to call Azz Industries to schedule your office electrical maintenance.

 

Choosing between Halogen vs. LED Landscape Lighting

When planning and designing your outdoor areas, one of the most important things to consider is lighting. And, when it comes to landscape lighting the most important decision you should make is using LED or halogen lights. To help you make an informed decision, AZZ Industries – the number one specialist in the Electrical Industry offering electrical services throughout Brisbane – has come up with the following comparison of LED and halogen landscape lighting key categories to help your decision.

Halogen vs. LED Landscape Lighting

  1. Cost

Even though many people consider LED lighting as a better option in most categories, the truth is, halogen bulbs win in the first category – initial cost. On the other hand, even though LED lights could cost you a bit more at the beginning, they will save you money over time due to the fact that they are extremely energy efficient and don’t require frequent replacement.

  1. Energy Efficiency

As we mentioned above, LED lights are the hands-down winner regarding their energy usage. Statistics show that if you use only LED bulbs in your household, you could see your energy bills drop by as much as 80%. Halogen bulbs use more energy and most of it they give off as heat which is why they get hot and don’t last as long. On the contrary, the heat produced by LED lights is drawn away from the bulb increasing its lifespan.

  1. Colour Output

In general, landscape lighting design requires warm light which is why you may decide to use halogen or other incandescent bulbs since they produce light in a warm yellow hue. But, you shouldn’t rule out LEDs because they have improved a lot in terms of colour. Although they were just bright white in the past, modern LED lights come in more calming hues which are also suitable for landscape lighting.

  1. Longevity

This is something we’ve already mentioned, but now let’s dig a bit deeper into it. LED lights can last up to a whopping 40,000 hours. So, when you compare halogen’s 2,000 to 5,000 hours, LEDs are obviously a better option considering longevity. But, what determines the end of their lifespan? Halogen bulbs either burn out or fail whereas LEDs experience light depreciation.

  1. Maintenance

The great thing here is that both halogens and LEDs require very little maintenance. However, you may remember that we already said how halogen bulbs require more frequent replacement compared to LED lights. Depending on usage, you should replace halogens every one to two years, whereas LED bulbs should be usually replaced in 10 to 20 years. Remarkable difference, right?

  1. Warranty

The last category you should have in mind when choosing between halogen and LED landscape lighting is the warranty. Namely, halogen landscape lighting systems don’t usually come with a warranty. On the contrary, LED landscape lighting typically comes with one. To ensure you have a warranty, just ask your professional electrician, preferably one from AZZ industries, and he’ll explain everything you need to know before installation.

Now that you know everything needed about halogen and LED landscape lighting, it’s time you make the right decision and contact AZZ Industries today!