Electrical faults range from minor annoyances like a circuit that trips occasionally to genuine safety hazards: burning smells, sparking power points, or a switchboard that won't stay on. Millar Electrics uses systematic testing methods to identify the root cause, not just the symptom, and we'll always explain what we found and what it will take to fix it before proceeding. Common faults we diagnose and repair include nuisance RCD tripping caused by a faulty appliance or degraded cable insulation, dead power points caused by a loose termination or failed circuit, flickering lights from a failing lamp driver or loose ceiling connection, and intermittent trips caused by overloaded circuits.
How we narrow down a fault
Most faults can be localised in 30 to 60 minutes with the right testing approach: visual inspection of the switchboard and affected circuit, isolation testing to confirm whether the fault is in the wiring or the appliance, insulation resistance (megger) testing to find degraded cable insulation, and earth fault loop impedance testing to confirm the safety system would operate correctly under fault conditions.
Stop and call us immediately if you notice
A burning smell from a power point, light fitting or switchboard. Discolouration, melting or scorching around a power point. Buzzing from a switch, dimmer or board. Tingling when you touch a metal appliance, tap or fitting. Switch off the affected circuit at the board (or the main switch if you can't isolate the circuit) and call us. These are signs of a fault that can become a fire or shock hazard if left.
Repairs and quoted work
For straightforward faults we can usually fix on the same visit and leave you with a written report. For larger faults, such as degraded wiring on multiple circuits, a board needing replacement or aluminium-cable issues, we identify the cause, present options and quote the remediation before proceeding.
Standards we work to
Repair work is installed to AS/NZS 3000 (the Wiring Rules), with the verification tests (insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, RCD trip-time, polarity, continuity) drawn from AS/NZS 3017. Safe-work procedures while diagnosing energised circuits follow AS/NZS 4836 (safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations). Where the fault traces to non-compliance against AS/NZS 3000, such as missing RCD coverage, undersized cable or degraded insulation, we document the finding and quote the remediation against the relevant clause.
