FAQs

The maximum amount of power allowed through a circuit according to the Australian Electrical Standards is dictated by the following three things; The cable size, temperature rating and insulation environment. A cable can be deemed to sit in one of three environments. Free air, where the cable is untouched by any insulation. Partially surrounded, the cable touched insulation on one side. Completely surrounded, the cable is completely encased by insulation. Typically, batts will create a partially surrounded environment for cables and blow-in will create a completely surrounded environment. As a rule of thumb, the more insulation that goes around a

When the sizes of the fuses protecting the existing circuit are reduced, the chance of the circuit tripping when overloaded is increased. We call this nuisance tripping. While nuisance tripping is not usually a problem for lighting or power circuits in areas of the home such as lounge rooms and bedrooms, nuisance tripping on derated kitchen circuits is quite common. Kitchen appliances such as kettles and toasters draw large amounts of power for short periods of time and can easily trip a 13 amp breaker (the most common sized fuse that older homes need to be reduced to). To avoid

Adding thermal insulation can reduce the heat dissipation capacity of electrical cabling and appliances. Depending on the type of insulation installed or removed, adjustments to circuit protection may be required to meet Australian Standards.

For safety reasons, we may need to turn off the power during installation. This precaution protects our team and occupants from potential electrocution risks, such as exposed wiring or inadvertently activated lights and appliances during our work on the switchboard.

Absolutely, depending on our electrical team's availability, we’re usually able to arrange the insulation installation and electrical work in a way that suits you.

Of course! The benefit of us having our own electrical team is that we can undertake any other electrical work that you may require while we are there. Whatever is on your list of electrical things to do around the house, our team is here to help.

The cost of electrical work is hard to estimate as every Canberra home is different. As a range, the electrical work may cost anywhere from $500 up to $3,000. For a more accurate estimate of the cost of electrical compliance work that may be required at your home visit our price estimator here, or get in touch with our team!

The ACT Government requires an electrical inspection to be completed by a licenced electrician for any installation of insulation to ensure that the circuits, downlights and tastics are suitable to be surrounded by insulation. At Alexander Watson we strictly adhere to this.

When we do an insulation installation in a home, it can change the insulation environment for the existing cables. This often means the maximum amount of power allowed to pass through the circuit is reduced. In newer switchboards, this might be as simple as swapping some fuses, while older boards may require an upgrade for compliance. We also want to provide a complete coverage of ceiling insulation in your home and not leave any gaps, this means that we need a plan for recessed lighting in the home. We can either install downlights that are IC rated (IC stands for