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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…

The festive season is upon us! Christmas 2020 might be different from all the others, but people are still adorning their houses with lights, trees and decorations. At this time of year, there are lots of electrical dangers to watch out for. So, here at Harcon, we have a few tips for staying safe this Christmas.  Christmas Decorations Since your decorations are only used once a year, it’s important to test them prior to use. Also, if you store them in a damp, uncovered place such as your garage, you may want to consider grabbing a few new lights for this year.  Here are a few of Harcon’s top tips for staying safe when putting up the decorations.  Always read the instructions and retain them for future useReplace failed lamps…

The COVID-19 crisis has led to millions of people being in the house throughout the day; working, homeschooling and shielding. Of course, this means more energy being used, especially as it gets colder and darker. So, to prevent your bills skyrocketing, we’ve come up with some energy saving tips for lockdown. Interested? Keep reading.  Heating  Usually, when people are out at work and school, the heating is left off during the day. However, with extended time spent indoors, people will have the thermostats turned up high. Don’t heat your house for the entire day. Consider the times of the day you’d like the heating to be set, and go from there. Every degree that you turn the thermostat down, can save you £80 per year. That’s something to consider.  Chargers…

A bathroom without windows can be dreary, dark and depressing. When going through your morning routine, you need light to complete your usual tasks, like brushing your teeth, putting on makeup or shaving. So, if you don’t have the natural lighting, we’re here to tell you about the next best thing. Keep reading for the best lighting solutions for windowless bathrooms.  Type of Bulb First things first, you’ll want to make yourself aware of the different types of light bulbs there are. We’re talking about halogen incandescent, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs.) Bathroom lights tend to be switched on and off a lot, so LED’s are your best option because of how energy efficient they are.  Brightness  If you have to make up for the lack…

As we settle into the second lockdown in Northern Ireland, a lot of people might be tempted to give their house a revamp. Queue the over-ambitious redecorating, renovations and rewiring jobs. Now, our main concern is when people take their electrics into their own hands. Not only is this unsafe, it can end up costing you ten times more in the long run. If you’re set on carrying out a few electrical jobs yourself, please remember that you are obliged to get the completed job tested by a fully qualified electrician and obtain a minor works certificate. Now, here are a few DIY Electric jobs we would suggest to start off.  Wiring a UK Plug Stripping cables to the bare wire can be very tricky and dangerous, but we’ve got…

Electricity, as you know, is everywhere. It is used in every aspect of life. However, it can be dangerous. It is extremely important to test your electricals regularly. Let us introduce you to: Portable Appliance Testing. It’s a series of checks which safeguards everyone in your business and ensures that you meet the Electricity at Work Regulations. Although they are not a legal requirement, they are crucial for safety. The tests are generally very quick to do, but if an appliance fails a PAT Test, it must be removed from the premises immediately. In this article we’re going to talk you through PAT Testing in the Workplace and fill you in on everything you need to know.  Three Stages of a PAT Test There are three stages of a PAT…

An electrical installation comprises all the fixed electrical equipment that is supplied through the electricity meter. This includes cables that are hidden in the walls, ceilings and fuse boxes. Electrical systems today are worlds apart from where they used to be, especially in media, communications and IT. Here at Harcon, we know a lot about this kind of thing. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about electrical installations.  Choosing an Electrician To help you make the right decision in choosing an electrician to do your installations, here’s three things they should possess.  Good reputation - should be well thought of and have a good track recordLicense - the electrician must have the accreditation from the concerned authority because of the seriousness of electrical installationQualifications - should…

Emergency lighting refers to a light that automatically turns on when a building experiences a power outage.  It is an important feature in a wide variety of environments. In the UK, it is the law to have emergency lighting fitted in occupied buildings. The lighting must be tested regularly  to ensure the safety of occupants. This law comes under Fire Precautions Regulations 1997.  We are a Belfast electrical company. So, we understand electrics back to front, inside out, so we’re going to give a quick overview of what emergency lighting is and how it works.  Imagine all the lights suddenly shutting off in your apartment block, university dorms or workplace. This could be from a power cut or a fire. Either way, most people’s immediate reaction might be panic. In…

Lighting and emergency lighting upgraded to  energy efficient with added feature lighting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXi2yRASBLI