Preparing Your Toowoomba Home for Storm Season: Electrical Safety is Key

Toowoomba and the Darling Downs region are no strangers to storm season, which typically brings heavy rain, strong winds, and potentially severe thunderstorms with lightning. These weather events can impact your home's electrical system, leading to power outages, surges, and potential hazards. Taking some preventative steps and knowing what to do during and after a storm is crucial for staying safe.

Before the Storm Hits: Preparation Tips

Being prepared can make a significant difference when severe weather approaches:

1. Test Your Safety Switches (RCDs) and Smoke Alarms

• Safety Switches: Ensure your life-saving RCDs are working correctly by pressing the 'Test' button on each one (do this every few months regardless of weather). If they don't trip, call G-TEC Electrical immediately. Functioning RCDs are vital during storms if water ingress causes electrical faults. Test Your RCDs

• Smoke Alarms: Test your smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Ensure they are interconnected photoelectric types as required by QLD law, especially crucial if a storm-related fire were to occur. Check Smoke Alarm Compliance

2. Check Trees Near Powerlines

Inspect trees on your property. Are there any branches close to or overhanging the powerlines connecting to your house (service line) or street powerlines? Arrange for qualified tree loppers to trim them safely well before storm season hits to prevent them from falling and causing damage or power loss. Never attempt to trim trees near powerlines yourself.

3. Understanding Power Surges & Protection in Toowoomba

Power surges, often associated with lightning during Toowoomba's storm season or other grid disturbances, can potentially affect your electrical appliances. Here’s a practical perspective on protection:

• Switchboard-Mounted Surge Arrestors: For significant events like nearby lightning strikes, a professionally installed surge arrestor (or diverter) at your main switchboard can offer a level of protection to your home's entire electrical system. Glenn can discuss whether this is a suitable option for your property based on its location and your concerns.

• Plug-in Surge Protector Boards – A Word of Caution: Many common plug-in surge protector power boards are marketed as essential for protecting individual appliances. However, from extensive professional experience, these devices often cause more issues than they solve. They are designed to 'sacrifice' themselves during even minor voltage fluctuations (where your appliance might have been perfectly fine). Once this internal protection has activated, the surge board itself can become faulty if left plugged in, frequently leading to nuisance tripping of your safety switches (RCDs). This often results in unnecessary call-outs to diagnose what appears to be a power fault.

• G-TEC Electrical's Advice: For most household appliances, a standard, good-quality power board is generally sufficient. The primary exception where a point-of-use surge protector might be considered is for highly sensitive electronic equipment with irreplaceable data, such as your main computer system. For broader protection against appliance damage from power events, review your home and contents insurance policy to see if it includes 'motor burnout' or 'fusion' cover, which can often provide a more comprehensive solution for appliance replacement.

If you have specific concerns about protecting your electrical system, particularly against lightning, please discuss options for switchboard-mounted surge arrestors with Glenn.

4. Prepare an Emergency Kit

Include torches with fresh batteries (avoid candles), a battery-powered radio, a charged power bank for mobile phones, and essential contact numbers (including your electrician!).

During the Storm: Staying Safe

• Unplug Sensitive Electronics: If a severe electrical storm is approaching with significant lightning, consider unplugging valuable electronic equipment (TVs, computers, modems, gaming consoles) from the wall socket as an extra precaution against surges.

• Avoid Using Landline Phones: Telephone lines can conduct electricity during a lightning strike. Use mobile phones if needed.

• Stay Indoors and Away from Windows: Basic storm safety.

• If Water Enters Near Electrical Points: If you experience roof leaks or water ingress near power points or appliances, turn off the power to affected circuits at the switchboard if it is safe to do so. If unsure or if the switchboard area is wet, call for emergency electrical assistance immediately.

After the Storm: Post-Event Checks

• Check for Damage (Safely): Once the storm has passed and it's safe to go outside, visually inspect your property for any obvious damage to electrical wiring, the service line connecting to your house, or your switchboard.

• Fallen Powerlines: EXTREME DANGER. Stay well clear of any fallen powerlines (at least 10 metres). Assume they are live. Report them immediately to Ergon Energy (13 16 70) and emergency services (000 if life-threatening). Never touch anything in contact with fallen lines (trees, fences, puddles).

• Power Restoration Issues: If power returns to your neighbours but not your property, check your switchboard first to see if a safety switch or circuit breaker has tripped. Try to reset it ONCE. If it trips again or stays off, call G-TEC Electrical to investigate a potential fault.

• Water Damage: If your home experienced water damage near electrical outlets or appliances, do not turn the power back on to those circuits until they have been inspected and cleared by a licensed electrician.

Be Prepared, Stay Safe

Storm season is a part of life in Toowoomba. By taking sensible precautions before, during, and after severe weather, you can significantly reduce electrical risks.

If you have concerns about your home's electrical preparedness for storms, need surge protection installed, or require assistance after a storm event, contact G-TEC Electrical.

Contact G-TEC Electrical