Christmas time means fridges full of food, ovens full of roasts, a frantic search for your fat pants and dazzling festive lights worthy of being named best in the street. Yes, it’s a time for those baggy saggy fat pants because no one can resist the third helping of Granny’s apple pie. And yes, it’s a time for playful rivalry with your neighbours as to who is rocking the lighting scene this year - and no Joe you are not winning this year mate.
 
But the festive season can end in tragedy or circuit trips, and too often this is because of those dazzling lights that are making Joe see green. Let’s face it, there is no use taking the title of best lights in the street if you trip the power and can’t turn the oven on to heat up Granny’s famous apple pie now is it!! 

Lights manufactured for indoor use should only ever be used indoors (this might seem obvious but it’s a big cause for my Christmas call-outs). If you are unsure, please check the packaging or look on the light itself. Most lights will feature a tag near the plug indicating whether the lights are indoor or outdoor lights. Indoor lights do not have the additional weatherproof ratings required of lights that are to be used outside and should not be used outdoors, this includes on verandahs.

More tips to keep in mind: 

• Keep lights and other electrical appliances out of reach of children and pets.
• Turn your lights off before going to bed or leaving your house.
• If your wife is like mine and insists on having a live tree (something to do with the smell), please switch off and unplug lights when watering tree. 
• Outdoor lights feature an IP rating showing how weatherproof the light is with all outdoor equipment requiring a minimum rating of IP23. If your outdoor lights require a transformer, check whether it needs to be located indoors or outdoors as some can be impacted by weather.

• Turn off any outdoor lights in wet weather.
• Avoid passing power leads through doorways and windows or across walkways and driveways where leads can be damaged.
• Secure outdoor lights to avoid damage in wind or storms.
• Avoid wrapping lights around sharp metal objects that may damage the wires.
• Ensure that your connections used outdoors are waterproof -- don't put Christmas lighting around or above swimming pools or have leads lying in water or wet areas.
• Be aware that using multiple high-powered lamps may overload your electric circuits.

 
Ensure your family, friends and fat pants are safe this year by thinking about the lights you are using and how you are using them. If you do need to upgrade your lights, consider purchasing LED, solar powered lights or extra low voltage lights (12V or 24V) as these are the safest options to prevent electric shock and overheating leading to fires.
 
Happy holidays and enjoy those Christmas lights, the safe way! ​​

Are you currently sitting under the sprinkler with a beer in hand? Are you putting wet sheets in the freezer to hang in doorways? Are you sitting in your car with the air conditioner blasting pretending to listen to Texas Dave on the radio? Chances are you need to cool down!
 
Staying cool when the heat hits can be a challenge that the creative at heart enjoy. If you failed craft at school or you’re currently wiping sweat from brows while sitting under sprinkler because you don’t want the expense of running an air conditioner, then read on my friend!  
 
There are plenty of ways to stay cool without breaking the budget. And yep, ceiling fans  are high on the list.

Choosing a ceiling fan is like taking a trip to a brewery. You know that they’re all beers, but you have no idea what each one actually is. At least at a brewery you can sample, when facing the choices of ceiling fans in a fancy retail shop with a pregnant lover nudging you in the ribs, you need to make a choice. And make it fast.
 
Here are a few considerations you may want to think about when picking out the right kind of ceiling fans to keep your bedroom full of the right kind of heat.
 
Is your fan saving your pocket and planet?
The energy efficiency of your ceiling fan will directly impact on your electricity bill. It will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An energy efficient ceiling fan will give you maximum cooling power for the least amount of electricity. It will also help lower greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, which improves our environment. So it’s totally worth finding a ceiling fan with a good rating – both for you and for our next generation of ankle-biting grommets.
 
Can you use your fan all year round?
Yep, ceiling fans can control the temperature all year round. In those endless summer days they create air movement that cools you down, and in winter you can flick a switch and the fan will turn in the opposite direction pushing warm air down to heat things up. When choosing a ceiling fan be sure to choose one with a reversible motor so you can take advantage of the summer/winter switch.
 
Do you need a middy, schooner or pint size ceiling fan?
It’s important to choose your beer size according to your thirst factor. It’s likewise important to choose your ceiling fan according to your room size. Choose a fan that’s too small and it probably won’t work effectively, choose one too large and it may be too overpowering and make all the paperwork in the room turn into drones and start flying around. Nope, let's try to avoid that scenario and seek advice when choosing what size of fan will work best for your room. Ask your retailer or your local electrician. 
 
How many blades should your fan have?
Four is the stock standard number of blades on a ceiling fan. More blades may mean a more effective fan but it also means more drag equalling more power to run. So let’s remember our pocket and planet when choosing the number of blades on a fan. What the blade is made out of is also something to consider. If you live close to the beach, metal blades can be more vulnerable to rust or corrosion from salt water however there are stainless steel options available for your outdoor areas to last the distance. Also, wooden fans may look cool but they are often more noisy.
 
And once you’ve picked your perfect ceiling fan you’ll need to find a qualified electrician to install it for you. Enter the south coast sparky…
 
Call Cowley Electrical on 0411 457 441 to arrange for an accredited Eurobodalla electrician to help you install an energy efficient ceiling fan.
 

The cold weather sends most of us inside to hybernate next to the fire and forget our frozen toes with a glass of deliciously warming red wine. But the south coast has been enjoying a rather mild autumn. Heck, it's the end of May and I'm still walking around in boardies and a t-shirt! My kids are still swimming in the sea without lips turning blue. With the weather the way it is, it's easy to forget about winter electrical safety (and winter is only a week away).

Here are some sneaky tips to keep you and your grommets safe this winter:

Test you fire alarms
We had a bushfire scare in Moruya Heads today. The whole place smelt of campfire. Driving to town meant driving through a ghost blanket of smoke. Hope no poor bastard lost anything. So test your fire alarms before you start your fire this winter so that your place doesn't resemble ghostly South Head Road today!!

Don't climb on top of heaters
I tell my wife this constantly. I'm surprised she hasn't combusted yet. I'll tell you guys too - keep your distance from heaters! I do not want to smell you hair burning, it stinks! Keeping a distance of 1 metre between your heater and objects (stationary or otherwise), is recommended.

Never double up on doubling up
It might seem like a good idea to power your heater, computer, tv, iPad, iPhone, iPod, turn tables, disco lights and smoke machine using a power board with double-adapters plugged in to double-adapters. It's not. Don't be a bloody idiot. Don't double up on double-adapters or power boards. You can easily overload the circuit and start a fire. Your home nightclub is no good up in smoke now is it!

Bin grandma's old electric blanket
Electric blankets and heaters wear with age. Unfortunately for them, they can't get botox. If your cords are frayed or damaged, don't risk it. Throw them out. If you're not sure, give me a buzz and I'll come and do a winter safety check for you. I may even bring my grandma's luscious nut slice for a friendly snack.

Don't grill lamb chops
OK, grill them, they taste good. Just don't forget about them. That's how fires start. That's all. Enough said.

Rats have big sharp teeth
Did you know that rats have big sharp teeth and they love electrical wiring? Yep, just ask my old man. A man sized rat used its big sharp teeth to chew right through the wiring in his dishwasher. I don't know who was more upset. The rat at being dead or me at the thought of hand washing. The chilly weather sends our big-toothed friends inside in the search of warmth (or perhaps they're just after my shiraz). A common winter call out for me as a sparky is to replace wiring that has been under attack from big-toothed rodents. If you have had rats recently, best give me a buzz to take a look at your wiring.

Well, that's my two cents worth. Moral of the story, if your loved one starts climbing on heaters to avoid big-toothed rats, call me on 0411457441 or drop me a line, jack@cowleyelectrical.com.au.

Free quotes. Expert electrician. Unbeatable service, every time.
Electrician | Batemans Bay, Moruya, Narooma
www.cowleyelectrical.com.au.

So what is the Testing & Tagging process?
The integrity of electrical appliance assets is determined by subjecting each asset to testing as required by Australian standards. Cowley Electrical carries out the following testing procedures:

• Physical inspection
• Insulation tests
• Earth circuit test
• Continuity test
• Functionality test
• Run / Leakage test
• Polarity wire test
• Visual Inspections (as per AS 3760)
• Check for obvious external damage
• Check defects; accessories, plugs or socket outlets
• Check defects on connectors
• Check supply cords
• No exposed inner cords, external sheath not cut abraded or damaged
• Check cords are not tangled or exposed for tripping
• All flexible cords are securely anchored; and
  Power boards: Indicator for ‘maximum load’ is visible and legible.

Asset Register Certificates
Asset Register and Test Certificates will include the following information:​

• Description / serial number (if required)
• Inspection Test Date
• Next Inspection Test Date
• Results of Inspection / Test
• Repairs made
• Comments

We provide routine periodic inspection, testing, tube replacement and cleaning. These routine 6 and 12 monthly procedures ensure that relevant compliance requirements are being met, accurately recorded and conducted.

By having the Emergency Exit Lights on your premises inspected, tested and data managed by Cowley Electrical, your business will be fulfilling its legal obligations.

Cowley Electrical conduct a 6 monthly and annual compliance inspection as required by law. We will even send you a reminder that you are due for your next inspection so that your company fulfils its legislative requirements and to ensure that your staff and customers are safe to exit in an emergency. 
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We post about our recent projects, the latest lighting trends, our favourite design styles, electrical news, what's happening with Cowley Electrical as well as our everyday experiences living on the beautiful south coast of NSW.
 
We also encourage our followers to join in the conversations and share their own Cowley Electrical projects, favourite lighting designs and their own south coast adventures. We will share your photos if you tag us in them.

Looking forward to getting social with you all!

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