electricians in Canberra

The Story of Detlev’s, Your Trusted Electricians In Canberra

Posted by Grae Munro on

At Detlev’s Electrical, we are a team of licensed electricians in Canberra. For more than 25 years, we have been providing unparalleled residential, commercial and industrial electrical services in the beautiful Canberra and ACT region. We are incredibly proud of the journey we have undertaken. Our humble roots have given us the strongest foundation to achieve what we are today. We are one of the most trusted, respected and successful electrical companies in the Canberra and ACT region. We are Detlev’s Electrical, and this is our story.

Your Trusted Electricians In Canberra: How It All Began

Detlev’s Electrical is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the Canberra community since 1994. We began as a residential electrical and appliance repair company. Over the course of two decades, we have built a multi-disciplined electrical business that specialises in a range of electrical services. Today, apart from residential electrical work, we also handle commercial and industrial electrical services.

Our business, first and foremost, is built on family values. Like family, we are committed to encouraging each member of our team to harness their skills and expertise. We offer valuable support to help them achieve their goals to become leaders within the state’s and Australia’s electrical industry.

The Detlev’s Electrical services team in Canberra is composed of Management, Project Managers, Senior Leaders, Licensed Electricians in Canberra along with apprentices and an admin team. We are like one big family with all of our team skilled in interpreting our clients’ electrical needs and delivering service efficiently. 

With over 80 years of collective experience and partnerships with major brands and retailers in Australia and overseas, this enables us to go above and beyond to provide 6-star personalised service every time. 

Detlev’s Electrical: Our Commitment and What We Stand For

Good People. Good Work. We believe that the character of people working in a company and the values they uphold will strongly manifest in the quality of work they do. Here are the principles we live by:

Development of our Entire Team, including all our Electricians in Canberra

We pride ourselves on investing in each team member’s continuous improvement and development. Everyone is provided with the best training opportunities that align with industry changes, new technological advances and modern management practices. 

We believe continuous learning aids our team in becoming dynamic, flexible and resourceful in meeting all the challenges that may come with the job. They can deliver well-considered, high-quality solutions to address our clients’ needs with theoretical and practical knowledge.

Delivering Exceptional Electrical Services for Projects of All Sizes

There’s no project too small or too big with Detlev’s Electrical. We are a family-owned business with the experience, expertise and financial strength that give us the capacity and capability to complete mid to large scale projects across Canberra and the surrounding regions. 

All projects are carried out with understanding and adherence to current standards, regulations, and codes of practice. We are responsive to urgent work and can handle complex residential, commercial and industrial electrical work and installations. 

Detlev’s Electrical is a strong supporter of new technology, constantly seeking innovations that can improve the quality of work we provide our clients. We use quality components only from reliable and reputable brands. Our entire workforce has specialised training that allows them to give sound and trustworthy advice and the technical capability to complete any electrical work, including but not limited to:

  • Design and Construction
  • Lighting control and design (specifically Dali and
  • C-Bus systems)
  • Electrical Design
  • Infrastructure projects
  • Data and communications
  • Fibre optic installations
  • Muti story commercial fit-outs
  • Audio Visual (AV)
  • Underground cabling 
  • Premium Automation
  • Asset Management
  • Routine and Scheduled Maintenance 

We offer a value for money service and outstanding quality of work on all projects.

Ensuring Safety of All Stakeholders

Detlev’s Electrical aims to always provide a safe work environment for all stakeholders, including our entire team, contractors, clients, and the public who may be affected by our work. Our team undergoes regular training in manual handling, use of new tools, working at heights and high-risk activities and wiring rules. Prior to starting any work and on new areas of operation, a thorough risk assessment is performed to ensure the safety of the team and premises where we will work.

Furthermore, we work closely with the National Electrical Communications Association (NECA) and Advances Safety Systems Australia (ASSA). Both agencies help constantly monitor and improve (if applicable) our internal management systems, including Workplace Health and Safety Policy, Quality Management Plan, Safety Management Plan and Environmental Plan.

Building Strong Relationships

Since 1994, what we value the most is the quality of relationships we have built with developers, contractors, major brand clients and most especially, the residents of the Canberra community. Over the last 25 years, we have worked with people in various industries, including property managers, business owners, commercial building owners, body corporates and government departments. 

The trust they have given us has been our inspiration to continue providing the highest quality electrical services. Our goal is to constantly find ways to identify value opportunities that benefit everyone involved in each project we complete.

Our Electricians in Canberra: Anchoring Our Company’s Success

Our reliable and ever hard-working electricians in Canberra have earned the skills, shown expertise and gained the complete trust of our clients. Together with our entire team, they provide excellent service at all times. Detlev’s Electrical has grown to be one of the finest electrical companies in Canberra because of a team that works together towards one goal – to provide electrical solutions necessary to make the lives of the people of Canberra more convenient.  

In the words of Detlev’s Electrical Director, Grae Munro, “I feel our growth is a direct reflection of the quality of our work, the consistency of our delivery and our continued commitment to safety and the environment. Quite simply, our clients trust us and know we won’t let them down.” 

If you need licensed electricians in Canberra and surrounding areas, trust Detlev’s Electrical to deliver the service you deserve.

licensed electrician

Why Hiring A Licensed Electrician Is Essential For Any Electrical Service

Posted by Grae Munro on

As a property owner, you want to ensure that the electrical systems in your home and/or commercial premises are working properly. If they aren’t, it can be very dangerous and expensive overall. As a result of this, engaging the services of a licensed electrician is an essential part of any electrical work carried out on your property.

At times, you may think it’s quicker to attempt DIY at a reduced cost, however, the potential hazards far outweigh the benefit of saving money initially. Ultimately, it will end up costing more.

Hiring someone who doesn’t have the necessary qualifications poses a massive risk for both you as the customer and the person you have engaged to conduct the work. Apart from it being unlawful, if not carried out in the right manner, it can cause damage to your property and put you, your family and your home at risk. On top of this, the person doing the job is put in an unsafe situation handling work that requires skills only a licensed electrician has.

Qualifications of a Licensed Electrician

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), electricians must be licensed under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 and meet eligibility requirements. The two main categories of an electrician’s license are:

  1. Restricted (attained full qualifications)
  2. Unrestricted (attained partial qualifications; Restricted license holder supervision required to perform electrical work). 

What Electrical Services can a Licensed Electrician Perform?

A licensed electrician will have the necessary training, knowledge and experience to perform a range of electrical work within residential properties and commercial establishments. A few of the most common electrical services they can provide are:

Although many unlicensed electricians claim to be able to resolve these issues, they do not have the correct legal qualifications (not to mention expertise) to carry out the job.

Reasons It’s Important To Only Hire A Licensed Electrician

Expertise – Guarantees Quality Work

There’s no doubt that work involving electricity is very dangerous, so only highly trained individuals should be handling it. A licensed electrician is an expert and has the necessary qualifications to perform the work. They follow a set of protocols and procedures in strict accordance with state and federal laws. 

They source tools and materials only from reputable suppliers to ensure that whatever they use to complete the project meets the highest Australian standards – something that an unlicensed person cannot guarantee.

Possessing a license also means their work is subjected to inspection by authorities to ensure they are meeting the current safety improvement standards.

Safety – Gives Peace of Mind

By law, anyone who seeks to do electrical work needs to have a valid electrician’s license. While it may cost a little more to hire a licenced electrician, having the peace of mind knowing that you’re not breaking the law is worth it.

In addition, a licensed electrician prioritises safety above all else and are required to follow local and federal safety codes. They also understand the implications of not adhering to electrical safety laws.

Apart from the fact, that an unsafe work environment can create massive damage to the property and put you and your family in harm’s way, It can also cause unfortunate consequences for the electrician, They can be given disciplinary actions or worse, lose their license when authorities find out of the non-adherence.

Efficiency – Saves Time and Money

When you experience loss of electrical capabilities in your property, such as incidences of a power outage, blowing of fuse or circuit box malfunctioning of Smart devices, broken appliances, and even the constant flickering of lights, you want them resolved right away. Apart from these issues being potential safety and fire hazards, they can also affect the way you live in your home and cause revenue loss for your business. 

A licensed electricians’ goal is to get the problem fixed at once. They have a fully stocked vehicle with all materials and tools they would possibly need. Their experience and skills also allow them to diagnose the issue right away and execute the electrical services required efficiently without going back and forth to your property.

They value your time, and won’t be charging for repeated visits.  It also means you continue doing your activities at home or have your business operations back up as quickly as possible because the electrical issue has been resolved.

Insurance – Provides Protection

Electrical work is a risky business. Therefore, one of the requirements of an electrician’s license is insurance which protects your property, you and anyone who uses your property’s electrical systems.

Also, for home and office insurance policies to cover costs, they require a licensed professional to carry out any electrical service, otherwise, the insurance is not valid. This has the potential to leave you liable and with additional expenses.

How To Ensure You’re Hiring Licensed Electrician

To find out if you’re hiring the right person to work on your property and if they’re carrying a valid electrician’s license, here are some useful tips:

No matter the type of work or the size of the job, a professional licensed electrician will know how to efficiently complete your project without compromising your propertys’ safety or putting you or your family in danger.

At Detlevs Electrical, we have a team of licensed electricians supporting homes and businesses for almost 30 years within the Canberra and ACT regions. If you need a licensed electrician, please feel free to get in touch with us. 

 

Electrical contractor

5 Signs It’s Time To Hire An Electrical Contractor

Posted by Grae Munro on

When there’s a home maintenance situation, do you (like many homeowners) try to take a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach and get the solutions from YouTube or other online video tutorials? Whilst there’s nothing wrong with trying to solve them on your own, there are specific issues that require a level of expertise to resolve correctly. 

Electrical problems are an excellent example. If it’s just the regular light bulb changing, then perhaps you can do it yourself. However, if it involves the need to troubleshoot, use special equipment, and do complex electrical work, it’s best to engage the services of an electrical contractor. DIY-ing in such cases can lead to spending too much time and money trying to fix the issue and just ending up with shoddy work. What’s worse is running the risk of getting hurt in the process and putting other people and properties in danger.

5 Reasons To Hire An Electrical Contractor

Electrical Safety Issues

Although Australia has some of the most regulated and stringent electrical safety standards globally, residential and commercial incidents  relating to electricity are still fairly common all over the country. Property owners should not ignore these incidents as if they can cause undue hazards to the surrounding properties and the entire community if not set up correctly. 

It is our strong recommendation to call an electrical contractor IMMEDIATELY upon noticing any of the following electrical issues in your home:

  • Lights Flickering

It may be easy to disregard flickering lights as just a nuisance, but when this is happening excessively and continually, especially while using small appliances, it could be a warning sign of an electrical problem. Often, flickering lights are caused by deteriorating wires or an overloaded circuit. 

  • Outlets and Switches Heating  and/or a Burning Smell

Be aware of the danger signs that your outlets and switches are overheating. An indicator of this is when they feel warm to the touch, or if there’s blackening or melting of switch plates and wire ends, that is usually from constant sparking.

On the other hand, a burning smell coming from outlets could signal the start of an electrical fire. Turn off your home’s power immediately and call an electrical contractor when you notice a burning odour.

  • Main Fuse Constantly Tripping

Another sign to connect with a professional electrical contractor is when the main fuse or circuit constantly trips or blows up. Though breakers may require a hard reset every few months, needing to restart it almost weekly due to  malfunctioning is a sign of a more significant electrical issue.

Usually, the main fuse tripping results from excessive use of power on the circuit that has been assigned to your home. The circuit gets overheated, the electricity would cut down, and this can cause brownouts and blackouts.

Electric Bill Keeps Going Up

It’s normal to see an increase in electricity bills during Australia’s hot summer months. As the temperature increases, air conditioners are turned on for extended periods and usually on full blast. However, an energy bill that is higher than usual during winter could be a sign of an inefficient or faulty electric setup.

Compare your last year’s bill during the same period. If there are no other factors at play, such as increased consumption from other appliances, then it’s time for an electrical contractor to diagnose the issue and recommend a solution so you can start saving on electricity cost, moving forward.

Older House That May Need Rewiring

If you’ve been living in an older home, it may be time for an electric system upgrade or rewiring. Some wiring in older homes (if not updated) may have corrosion or are frayed. An outdated wiring system may not be as efficient or safe to power modern electronic devices.

In addition, older homes usually do not have enough wall outlets to power additional appliances. Relying heavily on powerboards and extension cords might sound like a good solution but they may cause appliances to short circuit over time and potentially be a source of electrical fires.

Moving to a New House / New Appliance Installations

It is beneficial to have an electrical contractor assess the property for faults in the wiring or spot other electrical hazards. Doing so helps safeguards your family and home,  as you’re getting any electrical problem fixed before moving into a new house.

Installing appliances is part of setting up a new home. Gas cooktops, dishwashers, fans, dryers, washing machines and others should be installed correctly to ensure they work as designed. 

Hire a professional electrical contractor, preferably someone accredited by the appliance brand.

Installing Residential/Commercial Automation System

A home or commercial automation system can make a property safer, more efficient and easier to manage. However, setting up a Smart system involves technical aspects from design, fan installation to maintenance. An electrical contractor has the skills and expertise to ensure the system is installed correctly for optimal use.

What To Look For When Considering Hiring Electrical Contractor

When choosing an electrical contractor, make sure they are licensed and prepared to show and validate their certifications. Having years of service and experience can also be a plus factor when hiring someone to work on your home. 

Conduct ample research about the company’s previous work, clients and reputation. Take a look at their online reviews and speak with people who have used their service in the past. An excellent electrical contractor will also have references to back up how they’ve handled other projects like yours before.

Detlev’s: Your Trusted Electrical Contractor

Detlev’s is a team of licensed and expert electricians. For almost 30 years, we have been supporting homes and businesses and providing exceptional service in the Canberra and ACT region. Among our services, we specialise in appliance repairs, end to end electrical work and setting up automation solutions for both residential and commercial properties. 

With over 80 years of collective experience and partnerships with major brands, we have available resources to provide you with an excellent, personalised service every time.

If you’re looking for help with the best electricians in Canberra, to help with all of your electrical problems, please feel free to get in touch with us. 

licensed electrician

Home Improvements: When to Hire A Licensed Electrician

Posted by Grae Munro on

Are you planning to spruce up your home? Although it’s tempting and exciting to do some DIY (it’s all in YouTube anyway, right?), some home improvement projects need the services of a licensed electrician for safety purposes.

Home Improvement Projects That Need A Licensed Electrician

Lighting

Your lighting system not only adds aesthetic value to your home; but it is also functional and practical. It illuminates the inside and the outside of your home, making it one of the most used electrical systems.

Lighting Fixture Installation

Make sure you engage the services of a residential electrician if you decide to replace old light fixtures. When you take them out from the ceiling, expect to see lots of wires. For someone who is not an electrician, this can get confusing.

Outdoor Lighting

The challenge for upgrading the outdoor lighting system is to ensure it can withstand outside elements such as weather changes. To avoid safety hazards, a licensed electrician can install grounded outdoor wiring properly.

Home Theatre

Who doesn’t love a home theatre where you and your family can be couch potatoes during the weekends? A fantastic home theatre has features like surround speakers, huge mounted smart TVs, adjustable lighting, ethernet ports, additional cabling and many more.

Installing a new home theatre or upgrading one requires a licensed electrician to do proper lighting control and other electrical installations.

Rewiring

Are you tired of seeing extension cords around your house? They are a bit of an eyesore, especially if there’s too many of them.

Rewiring your home entire home allows you to install new plugs, outlets and sockets. As it is a very complex task, you would need a licensed electrician’s expertise to complete the job.

Home Automation

There’s no better way to make home improvement than upgrading to home automation! To get all your systems hooked up, make sure you hire accredited home automation installers who can also advise you of the most optimal way to use your new smart system.

Where To Find A Licensed Electrician

Detlev’s is a team of award-winning licensed electricians in Canberra. Our residential electricians provide a wide range of electrical services that you may need for making home improvements.

Here are some of our services

Avoid costly mistakes when making electrical upgrades and home improvements. Choose to hire a licensed electrician to do the work for you. We can help, please BOOK IN for a quote.

Related Tag: Electrical Maintenance

residential electrician

What To Do During A Power Outage And When To Call A Residential Electrician

Posted by Grae Munro on

Imagine yourself sitting in front of your TV, watching your favourite crime series on Netflix. Suddenly, just when you’re about to find out who the real murderer is, the power goes out. Before you start calling your residential electrician to help turn the power back on, there are things you need to do to ensure your and your family’s safety.

How To Handle A Power Outage

Determine the Cause

There may be several reasons that blackouts happen. Here are some of the most common ones:

  • Blown Fuse

Even a simple broken light bulb or any faulty appliance can blow up a fuse that can result in a power outage. Check your trip switch. If the fuse blew up or the trip switch is in the “off” position, it’s likely because of a faulty appliance or wiring.  

  • Scheduled power interruption 

Electrical companies sometimes schedule power interruption for maintenance purposes. Call your energy provider or visit their website and social media accounts for announcements you may have missed. 

  • Electrical Emergencies 

Fallen trees, lightning striking, vehicular accidents, fires, vandalism, and even birds or other animals messing with power lines can cause underground power cable damage and fallen power lines. When this happens, there will be a community blackout, and residential electricians need to do repairs.

What to do when there is a power outage

Switch Off Your Appliances

Except for keeping one light on (so you know if the power is back), manually switch off and unplug ALL appliances during the power outage. Doing so helps prevent device damage in the event of a power surge.

Most appliances wouldn’t have any issues switched off for hours. It’s a different case with your freezers and refrigerators as the food inside might start to thaw. So keep the fridge doors closed as much as possible during a power failure. When the electricity is back, check the state of your food and discard anything that has spoiled.

Be Prepared

Have a plan in place for any power outage. Have available sources of light and heat. Stock up on batteries, power banks, candles and matches. If you have a backup generator, use it as directed and with extreme caution. 

When To Call Your Residential Electrician During A Power Outage

Engage the services of a licensed electrician when: 

  • You have a faulty appliance that has caused the power outage
  • An appliance feels extremely hot and has a smell of smoke
  • Outlets are burnt or charred and have an odour of smoke
  • You’re not familiar with fuse boxes or trip switches
  • Fuses are blown, or you have a problem with the circuit breaker

Call A Trusted Detlev’s Residential Electrician

At Detlev’s, we have a team of qualified residential electricians and commercial electricians offering electrical services Canberra region. Our licensed electricians are highly skilled to handle emergency electrical cases. If you need help, please contact us.