Sparkies FAQ

As professional electricians, the Sparkies team gets asked a lot of questions pretty frequently. We have compiled them all in a convenient list for you to explore. If your question isn’t listed or, or even if it is but you want a further clarification, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our friendly and skilled team will be more than happy to help you out with whatever it is that you may be in need of!

My lights keep flickering on and off continuously. Is this a problem?

Answer: If your lights are fluorescent or LED, this might be normal. Some types of lights just flicker more often than others. This doesn’t indicate an electrical issue, but it might be a good idea to change your bulb if this keeps going on for a while or it gets too annoying. Flickering might also be the result of a loose bulb. Try tightening the bulb and the issue might be solved. If however you suspect that the flickering is occurring because of voltage fluctuation or a poor wiring job, call an electrician immediately.

My power socket feels hot. Is this a problem?

Answer: This is a bit of a problem. A hot power point could indicate an underlying electrical problem. The other reason behind this could be that you are drawing too much power from it by means of overloading. Try easing up on the appliances you have hooked to it and you just might see an improvement. But if the problem persists, it is probably a good idea to call an electrician to check it out.

What is the difference between a surge protector and a circuit breaker?

Answer: A circuit breaker is a device that is designed to stop the flow of current in an electric circuit as a safety measure. Its primary purpose, simply, is to keep wires from catching on fire. On the other hand, surge protectors protect your electrical appliances from getting fried. Sparkies recommend having both to keep you, your home and your appliances safe

My wiring is really old. Does it need to be replaced?

Answer: The only sure way of determining this getting it checked. However, if you’ve got rubber insulation, it’s probably time to change your wires.