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Electricity powers our lives but without the right safeguards, it can also put us at risk. One of the most important safety devices in your home’s electrical system is the safety switch, also known as a Residual Current Device (RCD).
In this article, we explain how safety switches work, why they’re essential, and how they integrate with a modern switchboard to keep your family safe.
What is a Safety Switch (RCD)?
A safety switch monitors the flow of electricity through a circuit. If it detects any leakage of current such as electricity passing through a person to the ground it shuts off power in milliseconds.
Why it matters, That fraction of a second can be the difference between a minor shock and a fatal electrocution.
Why Every NSW Home Should Have Safety Switches
- Legal compliance, NSW regulations require safety switches on all new and modified circuits.
- Shock prevention, Protects against electrical injury from faulty appliances or wiring.
- Fire prevention, Detects faults that can lead to overheating and ignition.
- Appliance protection, Reduces damage from power surges and faults.
How Safety Switches Work with Modern Switchboards
In modern boards, safety switches sit alongside circuit breakers. While breakers protect wiring from overload, safety switches protect people. They’re designed to trip at a very low fault current, shutting off power before injury occurs.
Common Reasons Safety Switches Trip
- Faulty appliances
- Damaged extension cords
- Water ingress in outdoor power points
- Overloaded circuits from too many devices
Tip, If your safety switch trips repeatedly, it’s a sign of a fault that needs professional diagnosis.
Upgrading to a Modern Switchboard with RCD Protection
Older switchboards with ceramic fuses offer no RCD protection. Upgrading ensures every circuit is protected by at least one safety switch, bringing your home up to modern standards and vastly improving safety.
Safety switches save lives. If your switchboard doesn’t have them, or if you’re unsure, now is the time to act.
