Electrical installation safety
Home improvement
3 tips for staying safe
1. When carrying out work close to your overhead electricity supply, painting or roofing work for example, contact ESB Networks to shroud the wires.
2. When using a ladder at roof height make sure not to touch or come close to the electricity wires or connections.
3. If the work you are doing requires the ESB Networks' electricity wires to be moved or altered, contact ESB Networks at: 1800 372 757 or +353 21 2386555
Shrouding of overhead wires
If you’re carrying out work on your house or premises close to overhead electricity wires and connections, you must contact ESB Networks to arrange for the wires to be shrouded to prevent electrical injury. Contact ESB Networks enquiries at 1800 372 757 to arrange this free service.
Completion certificate
If you are getting a new house wired or having existing wiring renewed or extended you must get a completion certificate from your Registered Electrical Contractor. Find a Registered Electrical Contractor on safeelectric.ie.
This certificate is the contractor's statement that the installation complies with the National Wiring Rules. The completion certificate is also required by ESB Networks before a new supply can be connected.
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Essential safety features you should know
Trip switches (RCDs), fuses and miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) are essential safety features in all homes as they make your electrical installation safe if a fault occurs.
Types of RCDs
Your fuse board or distribution board contains the fuses or MCBs which protect individual circuits carrying electricity to different areas of your home such as your sockets or lights. These circuits have different size wires and consequently have different rating of MCBs or fuses protecting them. The rating is measured in Amps and will be clearly marked on the MCB or fuse.
Trip switches and Residual Circuit Devices (RCD)
A trip switch or RCD detects leakages of electricity current from the circuit. Once a fault is detected, the circuit is disconnected. Trip switches/RCDs are found in the fuse board and should be tested frequently.
MCBs and Fuses
An MCB or fuse is a safety device which cuts off the flow of electricity to a circuit if a fault in the circuit or an appliance causes an overload. An MCB can be reset when the fault is identified and repaired. A blown fuse must be replaced with one of similar size.
RCDs, Fuses & MCBs
This short video explains the purpose of a Residual Circuit Device (RCD) also sometimes known as a Trip Switch or an Earth Leakage Trip Switch.
The video shows how an RCD works, what it looks like and where it is found.
RCDs, Fuses & MCBs
This short video explains the purpose of a Residual Circuit Device (RCD) also sometimes known as a Trip Switch or an Earth Leakage Trip Switch. The video shows how an RCD works, what it looks like and where it is found.