General FAQs

How do I protect my property from power surges?

Power Surges are becoming increasingly a major problem with the electricity supply along the Costa Blanca. They burn out and destroy PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), which exist in practically every modern day piece of electrical equipment. Power Surges are caused by the switching of the electricity supply networks, high powered motors and transformers. Lightning, faulty temporary builder’s supplies and generators can be other common causes.  Power surges are indiscriminate and can destroy any number of electrical appliances that are plugged into socket outlets.  To protect everything in your property install a Surge Protection Device (SPD) in the Consumer Unit for whole-house protection. In rural areas, also consider installing a SPD to incoming TV and telephone cables for protection against electrostatic discharges caused by lightning.

My Consumer Unit is getting hot Sparks, why?

One of the most common causes of this problem is "cowboy upgrades".  Work carried out by odd-job men, unqualified so-called professionals and would-be Electricians with "Gatwick Diplomas". Generally, this problem is caused by overloading. Circuit Breakers (MCBs) that get upgraded by the wannabes and are rated too high for the job they are meant to perform. The switches and cables in Consumer Unit get hot when over worked causing the insulation to heat up and even melt. An  MCB that is prevented from functioning properly can cause severe damage to an installation and a risk of fire.  Other causes may be loose terminations and faulty RCDs.

In my Consumer Unit I've got a Test Button, what is it for?

The Test Button is on the RCD (Residual Current Device), or more commonly called the "trip switch".  The RCD prevents the risk of electric shock. You should ensure that all the RCDs fitted in your Consumer Unit, (there maybe more than one), are functioning correctly by testing them once a month. Just press the test button and the electricity supply will disconnect. If it fails to disconnect, get a new one fitted asap. A qualified Electrician with specialist test equipment should test the RCDs every 10 years as part of a periodic test and inspection. More info click here.

Sparks, why do my electrics trip-out when I switch on more than one air conditioning unit?

The numero uno cause of Circuit Breakers tripping-out on the Costa Blanca is air conditioning units overloading circuits. If an A/C unit is not wired into the mains electricity supply correctly, it can cause the Circuit Breaker to trip-out.  Air conditioning installers are notorious for overloading the 10 Amp lighting circuit and have frequently been known to combat this problem by substituting a higher-rated Circuit Breaker, which stops the tripping-out problem but creates a risk of fire. Generally they connect the A/C unit to the nearest supply point, which is the source of the problem. If you use an air conditioning installer that connects a unit to the lighting circuit, ensure they connect "one only".  Better still, Sparks recommend installing all air conditioning units on a seperate circuit in order to avoid overloading problems.

My local lighting shop offers free installation when purchasing their light fittings, is this a good idea?

Only if the fitter is a qualified Electrician, which local lighting shops rarely use.  You would be surprised at how many short cuts and bad work practices I have uncovered by so called reputable lighting shop installers in what seems a relatively simple job of installing a light fitting; fittings wired incorrectly; fittings not earthed, sometimes the earth cable being deliberately cut off causing a risk of electric shock when changing the bulb; only one screw fixing in a ceiling fitting; cables not adequately protected from the heat of a hot lamp, eventually causing the insulation to melt exposing a bare live wire.  In life, you normally get what you pay for.

My RCD keeps tripping-out, I've unplugged everything in the house and I've still got a problem, Sparks I need help?

You'll probably need a qualified Electrician for this one to test your electrics and carry out some fault finding.  It is highly probable that you have water or damp getting into the installation. Double check you have unplugged the water heater, that's the number one appliance that causes this problem. Possible use of cheap or incorrect materials not designed for weatherproof conditions could also be the cause.

I have a burnt out socket in my kitchen, what causes this?

When you have a bad electrical connection inside a socket outlet such as a loose wire or corroded terminal, heat is created when an electrical load is applied by plugging something in and switching it on.  The heavier the load, say an electric kettle rather than a transister radio, causes the bad connection to rapidly get hot.  Over time the socket outlet burns out, the cable insulation can melt and the socket outlet needs to be replaced, in some cases rewiring to the property needs to be done.  Other causes can be the wrong size cable used when wiring, the cable is not sufficient enough to handle a powerful appliance.  Multi socket adapters can also be a cause of this problem and should not be used in kitchens, for heaters or refrigerator appliances or anywhere where heavy electrical loads apply ... and change all those English plugs to Spanish plugs on these same items too, plug adapters are are definate no no and should only be used for a short term solution.

Sparks what the heck does does "Reversed Polarity" mean?

Reversed Polarity means the live and the neutral on a supply cable are connected the opposite way round and it can cause a potentially dangerous situation.  There appears to be nothing covered in the current Spanish Electrical Regulations (REBT) for a domestic dwelling regarding Reversed Polarity.  Furthermore, Iberdrola seem under no obligation to connect a residentual property to the correct polarity.  In Spain you can easily plug an electrical appliance into a socket outlet either way round, this can cause Reverse Polarity.  The most dangerous aspect of this most concerning Spanish mal practice is if you switch the main supply off in your house, and do so using the Iberdrola "ICP" Circuit Breaker (that's the smaller switch in your Consumer Unit under the seal) your installation may still be live.  Never presume a cable is dead, always test with a mains tester before carrying out any work to an electrical installation.

I hear horror stories about Spanish homes not being properly earthed or not earthed at all, whats the story Sparks?

Electrical work practices regarding safety have remarkably improved since the introduction of the current Spanish Electrical Regulations (REBT) in 2002.  Before that time electrical safety can only be described as "questionable".  During my years working on the Costa Blanca I have never witnessed, nor heard of, a local goverment safety authority or industrial third party inspecting or testing a new domestic dewelling.  Spanish Electrical Contractors on housing projects have unquestionably been massively unregulated.  Industrial, commerical and public premises are somewhat different and highly regulated.  When an installation is inadequately earthed it greatly increases the risk of a serious electric shock. Make sure you regularly test your RCD as this acts as a kind of back-up should you have bad grounding in your installation. If you have concerns over the safety of your electrics I would recommend contacting a qualified Electrician to test your installation.  Regulations state a house should be tested every 10 years.

I've got some very old sockets in my house, they look different from the new ones, are they safe Sparks?

Many socket outlets in old properties are now obsolete and do not provide an earth connection. If the live cable accidentally comes loose and touches the metal case of an appliance, the electricity will travel through you rather than to earth.  These include the 2 pin 16 amp socket outlet without the top and bottom pins and the smaller 2 pin 5 amp socket outlet.  There is also a 3 pin 5 amp socket outlet, whilst it has an earth connection it is now obsolete.  I recommend you get a qualified Electrician to change them to the standard 'Schuko' 16 amp socket outlet, now standard in most of continental Europe.  Where there is no earth termination currently provided an earth cable should be installed.  Wire all new socket outlets with 2.5mm cable.

I have a holiday home for rent Sparks, how do I stop tenants leaving the air con on when they go out, and avoid knocking up an electricity bill that can feed a small country.

You can prevent air con abuse in several ways.  Most common is to install an electric coin operated or card operated meter like one supplied by Euro-Meter, or fit a a device called "Airconomy" which works in a similar way to hotel key cards.  Visit the web site and see how it works at airconomyinspain.blogspot.com.es