Homeowner knowledge centre
Your electrics can look fine.
That doesn’t prove they are safe.
Gas safety is widely understood, but fixed wiring, protective devices and alarms are often forgotten until something goes wrong. This knowledge centre explains what protects your home, what you can check safely and when to call an electrician.
Know what protects you
Ten practical
home safety guides.
No unnecessary jargon and no scare tactics—just practical information, the reason it matters and what to do when something needs attention.
What is an EICR—and does your home need one?
Understand what is actually checked, what the report codes mean and why electrical installations need periodic inspection even when everything appears to work.
What an RCD does and why it matters
Learn how an RCD can rapidly disconnect a dangerous earth-leakage fault, how to recognise one and why the test button should not be ignored.
Smoke and heat alarms have an expiry date
Mains-powered alarms still age. Find out what to test, where different alarm types are used and when the complete unit—not only its battery—needs replacing.
Earthing and bonding: what is the difference?
Understand how earthing helps a protective device disconnect a fault, how bonding reduces dangerous voltage differences and what can—and cannot—be checked visually.
What is inside a modern consumer unit?
A plain-English guide to the main switch, circuit breakers, RCDs, RCBOs and surge protection—plus the warning signs around a fusebox that should never be ignored.
Electrical warning signs every home should know
Burning smells, unusual heat, buzzing, repeated tripping and electric shocks are not normal. Learn which signs need urgent action and what to do safely.
Why does my RCD keep tripping?
Understand the common causes, the safe observations that help fault-finding and why repeatedly resetting an RCD is not the answer.
Burning smell from a socket or fusebox
Learn what heat, arcing and damaged connections can look or smell like, when to isolate and when to get out and call 999.
Do I need a new consumer unit?
Age and colour do not answer the question. See which signs, protective devices, tests and planned work affect the recommendation.
How long should a proper EICR take?
There is no one time for every property. Learn what affects the duration and what should be included in a meaningful inspection and report.
Do not ignore the signs
Electricity rarely gives
a harmless warning.
Some electrical problems remain hidden. Others give clues that should be investigated rather than repeatedly reset, taped up or left until later.
- 01A burning smell, scorching or unusual heat around an accessory
- 02Repeated RCD, RCBO or circuit-breaker tripping
- 03Crackling, buzzing, flickering lights or intermittent power
- 04A shock or tingling sensation from electrical equipment
- 05Broken sockets, damaged cables or exposed live parts
- 06No record of the installation ever being inspected
The information on these pages helps you recognise risk; it is not a substitute for inspecting or testing an installation. Never remove a consumer-unit cover or touch exposed electrical parts.