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Pharmaceutical Project On this recently completed commercial project for a leading pharmaceutical company based in Co. Antrim, we liaised with architects, building contractors and the client to achieve a high end quality electrical installation. This project consisted of 3 floors of a modern style building, accommodating multiple laboratories, offices, communication room and canteen all having a complete new electrical installation, including an electrical containment system, full power installation and lighting design, data / communication install, mechanical supplies and NICEIC certification Every project is unique coming with its own set of plans, guidelines and specifications that we a Harcon Electrical are careful to meet. On any project, site safety is our number one priority and we are sure to follow all regulations to keep everyone safe. We also understand the importance…

RCD A residual current device - most commonly referred to as an RCD - is designed to save lives by ensuring that anyone who touches something live, such as a bare wire, does not receive an electric shock that could prove fatal. An RCD will offer a level of protection that goes beyond a standard fuse or circuit breaker and can be worth its weight in gold in preventing electrocution or fire. An RCD works by monitoring the electric current that flows through the circuit(s) that it is in place to protect. If it detects that electricity is being channelled through an unintended path, such as a human being who has touched an exposed wire, the RCD intervenes to switch the circuit off immediately, thus reducing the likelihood of serious…

With all of us spending extended amounts of time at home these days, the electricity bills can easily start to climb. Did you know that in general, 6pm-9pm in the time during the day when the most electricity is used at home? But there are some simple changes that you can make to your life that will save electricity, money and the environment!  Did you know that according to the Energy Consumption in the UK (ECUK) 2017 report, the average home with four occupants uses 13 electronic appliances, including laptops and TVs? That’s more than triple the number from 1990! However, we still use roughly the same amount of energy, which means our appliances are becoming more energy efficient. That doesn’t mean we’re perfect though, there is a lot to…

Did you know that the average person spends 12,045 days in bed? That’s 33 YEARS! While you spend your evenings watching Netflix in the living room, or your mornings preparing a nice breakfast in the kitchen, your bedroom is where you spend the most time. So it makes sense to ensure that it is electrically safe, right? Here are our top tips for this.  Don’t let your clothes pile up Tempting as it is, to dump your clothes on the floor at the end of a long day, it is a very real fire hazard! In letting a pile of garments grow, you could inadvertently be creating kindling for a fire. An easy risk to overlook, but very worth keeping in mind.  Charging devices  You’ve heard of the risk of…

A common query we are faced with here at Harcon is ‘how to know if your property needs rewiring’. There are lots of helpful tips, tricks and guidelines to follow, and we’ve gathered them all. Keep reading for everything you need to know and if you’re still unsure, feel free to contact us - we’re here to help! Light fittings The first thing to keep an eye out for is where the light fittings are located. If they are near the windows, rather than in the centre of the room, this is an immediate tell-tale sign that the house hasn’t been rewired since the 1950’s and 60’s and needs attention.  Sockets  Check out your sockets and switches. If they’re old and tired looking, your property is probably due a rewire.…

You may be thinking, what is the correlation between mice and electrics? Well, did you know that rodents chew through everything?! Their tiny teeth can snap through wires and can add a serious electrical bill to your month. Here at Harcon, we have a bit of advice for dealing with the ‘rodents and electrics’ problem. Safety To begin, we need to make it clear that rodents and electrics pose a serious hidden threat to your safety. The tiny teeth never stop growing, and biting through a wire could cause a fire. Now, give this some thought: according to the  National Fire Protection Association, fires caused by home electrical failure or malfunction kill more than 420 people per year? Injuries associated with such fires average 1,370 per year. To ensure your…

Did you know that there were nearly 2.5 million residential sales in the UK in 2014-15? Research carried out by Electrical Safety First found that only 37% of buyers had the electrics checked before purchase and less than half of home owners knew that these tests were necessary. A third of people went on to find electrical issues - this could have been prevented by organising for an electrician to test the electrics before they moved in. Buying your own home is a stressful and exciting time, with so much going on, it can be difficult to stay on top of everything. Let us at Harcon take the electrical stresses of buying your new home away. We have a few top tips to keep you on track. 1. Budget  If…

2021 has finally rolled around and we have high hopes for this year. Now, everyone is getting stuck into their new year resolutions; be it running a mile a day and eating healthier. But let’s think about the electrical side of things. Did you know that the National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 50,000 fires are caused each year by faulty electrical systems in homes? These fires injure up to 1,570 people per year, and kill around 420. You don’t want to be one of those statistics. So here are some electrical resolutions for the New Year.  Extension leads: As simple as this sounds, be careful about where you place your extension leads. These handy features can take the power from one room to another, but don’t overlook them…

An electrical burn is caused when someone comes into contact with a live current. This could be by touching an electrically live object or electrified water. You can also experience an electrical burn from being hit by lightning, but this is very rare. Here at Harcon, we want to talk about how to prevent electrical burns. Electrical or thermal? When you are burnt, it’s important to make the distinction between thermal and electrical burns. They are obtained in different ways and require different treatments. It’s easy to overlook a burn and wait for it to heal, but always remember that an electrical burn can do significant damage to blood vessels, nerves, muscles, tendons, fat and bones throughout the body.  Symptoms of electrical burns  Symptoms will depend on the amount of…