• May 5, 2021

Dealing with Corrosion and Electrical Faults

How do you know if your prospective new home is safe and complies with all electrical legislation?

Pre-purchase Electrical Inspections

When buying a new home it is common to get a pre-purchase building and pest inspection. In Queensland the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) is also encouraging pre-purchase electrical inspections to assist buyers to identify if a property is safe and complies with all electrical legislation.

With electrical systems in moist climates like Gold Coast and Brisbane, corrosion can be an issue. As a householder it is often something you cannot address.

Simple Corrosion prevention

More than 80 per cent of Australians live within the coastal zone.
source: http://www.ga.gov.au/ausgeonews/ausgeonews201103/climate.jsp

Dealing with rust and corrosion is a way of life when living near the coast. When something electical fails it is unlikely you are (legally) able to attempt to fix it.

External rust can be addressed by baking soda or vinegar. Corrosion of internal components is usually a no go zone due to the risks of electrocution.

It is all about prevention. There are some great products to use from simple Vaseline on battery terminals to plastic and rubber friendly 3 in 1 spray. Inox is a good product for anything going in seawater and can be used on car electrical terminals. Inox can cause issues with some plastics or rubbers in long-term use.

• Pay attention to cable routing to prevent chafing and abrasion damage
• If spraying a product read the instructions to ensure it can be used on electrical equipment

Enemies of anything metallic - oxidation

Rusting is an oxidation reaction. The iron reacts with water and oxygen to form hydrated iron(III) oxide, which we see as rust.

Earth Stake

Your home will have an 'earth stake' in the ground outside, with an earth wire attached. The stake can dissipate a static discharge, such as a lightning strike, directly to earth. You should not remove or tamper with this stake and you should have it checked periodically, especially for corrosion. refer Earthing Your Home

Private Power Poles

Some homes in Queensland have poles located inside their property boundary that connect to the electricity network. The property owner is responsible for keeping these poles in a safe condition to avoid an electrical incident or fire.

Over time, poles are prone to deterioration. The base of poles may rot, rust or be affected by termites, leading to a serious situation. Signs of deterioration may include:

• poles leaning excessively
• evidence of rotting or corrosion at ground level or just below
• electrical fittings or wires pulling away from the pole or are broken
• cross arms splitting, loose or sagging
• trees growing into or near power poles.

Termites can cause electrical damage

Termites have a diet of wood. Specifically the cellulose contained in wood. Termite mud trails can cause issues. There are examples of termite trails (mud) in light switches, causing flickering lights or shorting of the electrical system. The mud is moist especially when first created.

Most homes in Brisbane need to be protected by a termite barrier due to the climate being conducive to termite colonies.

Termites with their strong mandibles can attack a cable if there is a food sounce nearby. They look for a weak spot like a bend or small tear or sharpe edge. Termites will continue until the protective sheaf is destroyed. This presents the opportunity for a short-circuit. Rigid PVC and other modern cable protections have a higher resistence to termite attack. There have been reports even slicone has been eaten by termites.