Electricians Brentwood

Domestic Electrical Services

Our Brentwood Electricians are domestic installers who undertake all electrical installations and repairs.

Typical installations include fitting consumer units, full and part rewiring, adding new sockets, installing lighting and more.

The Consumer Unit is an essential component of your electrical system.

The consumer unit is the first port of call for electricity after it has passed through your electric meter (used by the energy companies to monitor your electricity usage).

Consumer Units

Consumer Unit installation, upgrades and repairs.

Consumer units (also known as a fuse board) can be switched on and off, cutting the power to your home.

Anytime any electrical work’s undertaken in the home, the power’s shut off via the mains switch.

Consumer units house fuses that trip when overloaded, cutting power instantly.

The fuses protect people in the house from electric shock and electrocution; they also protect appliances, cables and electrical fittings from overload, damage and fire.

Separate fuses are used for different parts of the electrical system. For example, a typical unit will contain one or more fuses for circuits, cooker, hob, boiler, lights, sockets, shower and smoke alarms.

Modern consumer units are fitted with a combination of different RCD, MCB and RCBO. The fuses fitted in your consumer unit depend on your home and budget.

Residual Current Devices (RCD) cut power in the event of excessive electrical current or overheating.

RCD’s prevent electrocution and electrical fire. RCD’s are set up to protect single or multiple circuits.

Sockets can be fitted with built-in RCD’s, and plug-in RCD’s can be used for an extra layer of protection. Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB) are used as circuit protection reacting to overload and overheating.

In the event of a ‘trip,’ MCB’s can be turned on again at the flick of a switch.

Residual Current Devices With Overcurrent (RCBO) are the safest and most expensive type of fuse, doing the job of both an RCD and MCB protecting from electrical shock, fire and the overloading of circuits.

The modern fuses listed above are much safer than older style fuses that contained wire that melted in overheating, overload, and electrocution.

Current fuses cut out instantly, faster than traditional fuses that are also a fire risk. When current fuses trip, they are turned back on via the switch. Traditional wire fuses have to be taken out and have the wire replaced manually.

Unfortunately, many older homes in Brentwood have old fuseboxes loaded with old-style wire fuses.

Old fuse boxes are mounted on a wooden base, another fire risk. Modern consumer units conform to the latest 17th edition wiring regulations (the standard for electrical installations in domestic and commercial properties) and are made from non-combustible metal.

Homes with old school fuse boxes should upgrade to a modern consumer unit, something our Electricians regularly do in the Brentwood area. Please get in touch if you need any help or advice or would like a quote for installing a new consumer unit.

New Sockets & Upgrades

Additional powerpoints are a handy addition to any home. As the year’s progress, the average household uses more and more appliances.

Adding more sockets to your home allows these extra appliances to be used safely without the risk of electrical overload.

Too many appliances running off a single socket can cause overload and tripping fuses.

Our electricians based in Brentwood can install new sockets in your home or upgrade existing ones.

There are now many different types of faceplate available on the market which can be switched with your old ones, so they match your decor.

Standard white plastic isn’t always desirable; you may prefer decorative plastic, stainless steel or wooden faceplates to compliment your home.

Sockets can be installed or upgraded to include built-in residual current devices (RCD’s) and USB ports, which are great for phone charging.

Any socket can be fitted, including fused connection units (FCU) with built-in fuses for hard-wired appliances such as boilers.

Other socket types we provide include cooker switches, shaver units, multimedia and appliance switches.

Let us know your socket requirements, and we’ll find the perfect solution. For those with gardens and outdoor areas, we can install outdoor sockets to use lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, power tools etc., outdoors without the need to run extension leads (which are a trip hazard and prone to pulling out) of your indoor sockets.

Outdoor sockets are protected from the weather with sprung covers which sit over the top of plugs preventing them from being accidentally pulled out.

Want extra protection? Allow us to fit RCD sockets that prevent electrocution in the event of a cut cable.

Sockets safely connect appliances to the power supply. Live neutral and earth cable runs around your home and connects to the back of the faceplate. Plugin your appliance, turn on the switch, and you have power.

Faceplates are screwed to a backbox that sits inside or on the wall. The backbox and faceplate keep the electrical cable sealed and out of harm’s way. It’s essential that faceplates are screwed tightly with two screws and are not cracked.

Live current runs to the socket from the consumer unit. Loose or broken faceplates must be dealt with as someone could come into contact with the live current and get electrocuted.

Please let us know if you need any help with your sockets.

Lighting

The first and foremost purpose of light is to illuminate your home so you can carry out your day to day activities.

Lighting’s also used to enhance your home, create an atmosphere and enhance security.

Every home has different lighting needs. Our Electricians are lighting experts and can design and install the perfect lighting system geared towards your preferences and lifestyle.

General lighting provides light so you can see what you’re doing and move around your home safely. General lighting’s fitted in hallways, living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and utility rooms.

General lighting Includes traditional chandeliers and recessed downlights. Task lighting’s installed to make cooking, bathing and working from home more efficient and pleasant by providing excellent quality lighting in your kitchen, bathroom and home office spaces.

Lighting can make or break your productivity, so correct lighting in these spaces is essential.

Accent lighting enhances and adds dimension to features and areas of your home by illuminating a particular area. Examples of accent lighting include up-lighters, downlighters, wall unit lighting and low hanging chandeliers over tables/island worktops.

Outdoor lighting increases security and prevents accidents while enhancing the outdoor areas of your home. Used correctly, outdoor lighting can create desirable living spaces for those warm summer evenings.

Driveways, gardens and garages are all improved with proper outdoor lightings such as wall lights, decking lights and motion sensor security lighting.

There are many types of bulbs on the market Halogen, Incandescent, LED, Energy Saving etc., all with different fitting types of wattages and lumens.

The choice is overwhelming, but don’t worry. Your local Brentwood Electrician will select the best bulbs for your lighting installation, creating the exact effect you want for every area of your home.

Click Here For More Information On Our Lighting Services

Wiring & Rewiring

Electrical installations include wiring of new build properties and premises and full and part rewiring of existing homes.

Homes that haven’t been rewired in the past 30 years should be inspected to establish if a rewire’s in order.

Electrical cables can last a long time but will deteriorate eventually. Homes in Brentwood built pre 1970 could have old wiring utilising red for live, black for neutral and green for the earth.

Since 2006 all homes built in the UK conform to Amendment 2 of the 17th Edition BS7671 wiring regulations with the same wiring as mainland Europe with brown for live, blue for neutral and yellow/green for the earth.

Most Brentwood homes use a ring circuit and a radial circuit. Radial circuits are used for lighting and hard-wired appliances such as boilers, cookers and showers.

Lights are connected in a line, the flow of electricity finishes at the last light. The ring circuit powers your sockets cables are attached to the consumer unit and run around your home in a ‘ring’, powering each socket before returning to the consumer unit.

Does your home have old red, black and green cable? If it has or you are unsure, it’s time to consider a rewire.

Rewiring’s regarded as a disruptive, time-consuming process. Our Electricians have lot’s of experience in rewiring homes and can quickly upgrade your property to a high standard of workmanship, safely with minimal disruption.

Appliance Installation

Got a new appliance that needs wiring into your electrical system? This is a job for a qualified electrician.

We offer an inexpensive appliance installation service for all hard-wired appliances, such as built-in ovens and extractor fans.

Your new appliance is connected to the correct circuit and tested.

Rest assured your new appliance will be fitted properly and safe to use.

Earthing & Bonding

We ensure the earthing and Bonding of all homes we work in are up to the current IET 17th edition wiring regulations and BS7671 standard.

The earthing and Bonding are thoroughly checked anytime an electrical installation is undertaken.

Older homes (those built before 1991) may have older earthing and Bonding which are no longer up to standard. Let us check for you.

EICR Certificates & PAT Testing

We offer landlords electrical certificates, also known as Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR). We also offer Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).

All rented properties require an EICR by law every five years or at the start of each new tenancy. The EICR needs to be presented to the tenant, letting agent or relevant local authorities when requested.

One of our electricians will perform an EICR at your rented property, and on passing, will issue the relevant certification. You can rest assured your property is safe, legal and conforms with your insurance terms.

PAT testing is an optional extra. All the portable appliances are checked and tested to ensure they’re safe to use and don’t pose a fire or electrocution risk.

PAT testing involves one of our qualified electricians fully inspecting, and testing appliances in the home rented property and workplace.

Responsible employers and landlords should have the portable appliances in the workplace or property checked every couple of years.

PAT testing is not a legal requirement but is highly recommended as it ensures your tenants and employees are safe and provides some protection to landlords and employers in the event of an electrical accident caused by a faulty appliance.

PAT testing greatly reduces the likelihood of an electrical accident. Faulty appliances can be repaired or replaced.

The procedure involves the thorough inspection and testing of all appliances with power cords, those that are portable and those that are stationary but not hardwired.

Many workplaces use industrial appliances for their daily production. As these appliances are used more often and frequently than domestic ones, many employers opt for PAT testing annually.

Click Here For More Information About Our EICR Services

Electrical Installations

A safe and reliable electrical system fitted by qualified electricians is essential for any home or business.

Whether you want parts of your electrical system upgraded or want a fall electrical installation in a new build, extension or business premises, we can help you.

We will design and build an electrical installation to your requirements

Fault Finding & Repairs

Electrical faults range from flickering lights to the continuous tripping of fuses.

Alternatively, you may be experiencing arcing on the oven/hob switch or maybe burning smells from sockets?.

Somethings wrong with your electrical system. Don’t worry, most times. It’s only a minor fault. A fault one of our electricians will find and repair.

The location of the faults established and the necessary alterations made, or replacement part’s fitted to correct your electrical system.

Outdoor Power

Do you use outdoor power tools like electric lawnmowers or hedge trimmers?

Do you rely on extension leads plugged into an indoor socket?

If the answer is yes, let one of our electricians install outdoor power at your home.

Robust sockets can be fitted anywhere to the exterior walls of your home and wired into your domestic power supply.

After installation, you’ll connect your power tools outside rather than inside.

Exterior sockets are waterproof with heavy-duty sprung covers that give protection from the elements.

The sockets feature built-in RCD fuses that’ll instantly cut power if a power cable’s ever cut.

Outdoor power makes your garden maintenance easier and safer, eliminating those annoying long extension leads.

Security Lighting

Both domestic and commercial properties have vulnerable areas that are at risk from criminal activity after dark.

Burglars and vandals work under cover of darkness when targeting homes and businesses.

Adding security lighting will deter any unwanted intruders. Crime statistics have proved that security lighting reduces crime.

Security Systems

We install security systems throughout the local area.

Installing alarms, CCTV and motion sensors around vulnerable areas such as doors and windows is the best way to prevent a burglary.

Whether at home or at commercial premises.

Burglars look for easy targets and can soon tell if a home is protected or not and are far less likely to attempt a break-in, as research has shown.

One of our electricians will undertake a free survey at your home or business and design a system that’ll make it burglar-proof.

We install all ranges of systems, from basic alarms and CCTV to monitored systems. Smart systems are another option so you can keep an eye on your property when away from home.

Smoke & Heat Alarms

Smoke Alarms alone are not enough to protect you and your family from fire.

They rely on a single power source (battery) and can not always be heard everywhere in the home.

Linked systems fitted by a qualified electrician are far safer, allowing people to react and escape quicker.

We fit such systems one of our team will visit your home and undertake a risk assessment.

Smoke & Heat alarms are placed in all the critical areas and linked together before being connected to the mains electricity supply.

In the event of a fire, all alarms will activate, notifying everyone in the building at the same time.

The alarms also feature batteries, so they still work even in the event of power failure.

The elderly, disabled and hard of hearing will need more advanced systems, something we can help you with also.

Commercial Electricians

TM Hughes Electricians are fully qualified electrical contractors serving the businesses of Brentwood.

Whether you run a shop, hairdressers, restaurant, warehouse or office, our staff are on hand to provide a professional service that’ll deliver your unique commercial electrical requirements.

We’re fully aware that the smooth running of your business is your top priority, so we’ll undertake electrical work at times that’ll cause minimal interruption to your day to day trade.

Electricians are available for emergency call-outs 24 hours a day, so if electrical failure stops your work, we’ll have you back up and running in no time. There is no call out charges for emergency services.

You may already have an Electrical fault that hinders your work? Faulty wiring, fuse boards and fuses are common problems that cause tripped fuses, slowing productivity.

Don’t lose money; let us identify and fix these faults quickly, ensuring your electrical system’s safe for you and your employees.

All commercial work’s completed to a professional standard in a tidy manner and signed off at completion by one of our fully qualified and insured Electricians.

All types of commercial wirings covered, including three-phase systems, Cat 5, Cat 5E & Cat 6 wiring.

Emergencies

Electricity is the lifeblood of any home or business. Without it, there’s no heating, light, hot water or essential appliances that allow you to live comfortably day today.

In the event of an Electrical failure, your local Electrician in Brentwood can be with you within a couple of hours no matter the time of day and don’t worry. There’s no expensive call out charges or hidden extras with our emergency electrical services.

Power cuts can be down to a fault with the Electrical supply. Before calling us, establish if this is the case by talking to your neighbours (are they experiencing a power cut also?).

In this instance, contact your energy supplier, who’ll let you know what’s happening and roughly how long the power cut will last.

Power will usually come back on in a few hours. Now, if the power cut’s just in your home, check the RCD fuses. If any have tripped into the ‘off’ position, try switching them back on. If the power doesn’t return, give us a call. There’s a fault in your system somewhere, which we’ll rectify and ensure your electrical system’s safe to use.

Weird noises coming from your consumer unit, smoke and burning from sockets, lights and the consumer unit and flooding of the Electrical system are serious issues and need attention from a professional immediately.

Shut off your electrical supply, lights and outlets if you experience smoke or burning.

In the event of flooding or sockets coming into contact with water, only shut off the electrical supply if it’s safe to do so. If you’re unsure, phone us, and we’ll tell you what to do over the phone to minimise damage before we can get to you.

Remember water and electricity don’t mix and can cause electrocution. Don’t take any risks, especially if you’re not sure. Let us take care of the situation.

If you would like a free quote or would like to book an Electrician, please use the contact form below or call us on 01277 801560