A buyer's guide to electrical accessories

Faulty electrical systems are a common cause of accidents and fires which lead to burn injuries and deaths. It is, therefore, important for consumers to learn more about buying and using electrical supplies, accessories, wiring products and more. Find out more about buying electrical accessories and some safety tips for consumers in the proper use of electrical tools, supplies and appliances.

Safety in using electrical products

Making home improvements like installing electrical lights, fixing electrical sockets or integrating door chimes are common DIY projects that people usually want to do. However, in buying electrical accessories and supplies one must remember these: Safety seal of approval The best way for consumers to tell if the electrical supplies that they are buying are reliable is to look for the British Electro-technical Approval Boards (BEAB) seal. This seal on a product signifies that it has been tested carefully and thoroughly, and is approved for use by the government. Manufacturer's manual Look for the manufacturer's manual along with the product or ask for it from the electrical supply store. This manual contains the instructions that must be properly followed by a consumer with regards to use and safety precautions especially if one is not familiar with how the product works. Buying used products Although it is not recommendable to buy second-hand or used electrical accessories and supplies, there are some people who prefer to purchase them. In this case, consumers should have a qualified technician properly test the tool or appliance before buying it.

Other considerations

Electrical fuses Use the correct electrical fuse for each appliance. The fuse prevents an appliance from overheating. Each appliance requires a different amount of electricity to operate so that a specific type of fuse may be needed. Planning installations Electrical installations need planning, especially with regards to measuring electrical wirings accurately to ensure that you have the right length of cables, the necessary electrical fittings and tools to get for your project. Be sure to buy some extra metres of wiring products, just in case you need more while doing your project. Where to buy them Aside from considering safety, one also wants to get the best deals on electrical products and supplies. For reliability of product quality and the best deals try Screwfix, the UK's largest multichannel supplier of plumbing, electrical, bathroom and kitchen supplies. They have over 160 branches nationwide and over 10,000 products stocked in each branch that can be ordered and delivered the next day.