When buying an older property, it is likely that the electrical wiring will need replacing or new power points installed.
The first factor that contributes to the cost of installing electrical power points is whether any existing sockets need to be moved due to remodelling works being performed in an area where most people spend their time in. The cost of installing the existing power points can vary depending on how many are being installed and whether there is need for new cables to accommodate the changes.
For example, if a number of power points need to be installed in the one room, an average homeowner might expect to pay around $500.
If power point rewiring is needed, which includes a full inspection of the house wiring, including pulling out old copper wiring from walls and power points where needed, then significant costs come up. It can cost around $100 per hour for an electrician as they work through the home and if there are multiple rooms to inspect, some of them quite large, then it may take a whole day for the job to be completed so costs will rise accordingly.
When electrical power points need to be installed in addition to moving or rewiring the house wiring, then this further contributes to the overall costs incurred by homeowners who want new and improved power outlets in their homes.Typical costs, and work, is listed below.
Call out rate: $100.
Extra costs involved: wiring materials, service fee, electrician supplies, etc.
Other necessary work such as installing a power board with surge protection, working with internal walls.
Location | Average cost per hour for electrical work during normal hours |
|---|---|
Melbourne | $80 to $87 |
Perth | $91 to $95 |
Sydney | $100 to $132 |
Adelaide | $84 to $93 |
Brisbane | $93 to $97 |
Wiring up power point is a complicated job done by first running the cables to the power point either through the wall or underground. This must be done away from fixtures, insulation and other things that may cause a short circuit. The cables are then connected to the power point using standard fittings. There are several different types of connections available so ensure you know which one your power point uses. Any work of this nature is best left to the professionals.
The main issue with wiring up a power point is ensuring that the cable which is being used is of sufficient quality in order to avoid fires and other safety issues. This means using cables that are correctly rated for the power it will be handling and includes all necessary safety features such as fuses for overload protection.
Wiring up the power point or wall socket must be done in accordance with wiring rules. The official wiring guides for Australia is AS/NZS 3000 which sets out how to make safe and proper electrical installations.The first step is to ensure that all conductors in the cable are insulated and can safely be used. There should not be any bare wires exposed at any time as this will cause serious problems when it comes to conducting electricity - especially when there is even more than one conductor next to each other or if they are touching metal components of the power outlet or switch box such as screws, bolts etc. This may lead to permanent damage to your home, fire hazard and other problems. If fuses blow or lights flicker (running lights flicker), call a licensed electrician. They may suggest rewiring.
In order to wire up a power point properly, you must ensure that there is a dead short between the earth and neutral wires in the cable. This means ensuring these two conductors are connected together at both ends of installation - either within the metal casing of the power outlet or via an insulated connection such as a terminal block that is contained within your switch box or panel board.
One of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to the installation of a USB power point is not understanding the “behind the scenes” work that needs to be done. This includes all the cabling that needs to be done in order for the USB power point to function correctly. Typical work includes the below.
The correct installation of electrical cable for power supply and data cables to the computer. This may be done by running new cabling or using existing wiring that is in place. It is important that high quality data cables are used as this will ensure speed and reliability when it comes to transferring data between devices such as phones, tablets, fitness trackers and other devices.
Some USB power points require an existing AC outlet in order to function correctly. If there isn’t one available then you must install a new one which typically involves hiring an electrician. The cost of installation for your average household can vary depending on the type of work required and the number of outlets you want to be installed but it can be anywhere from $75 - $150 depending on the type of work required.
Once the data cables have been run and a new AC outlet has been installed, the next step is to connect everything to your home’s electrical system. This means running cables between your USB power point and an existing AC outlet as well as installing a new circuit breaker in order to provide enough power for your devices. It will generally cost around $250-$300 to install a circuit breaker for this type of work including parts and labour.
Power points can have up to six plugs or even more depending on the power boards.
Single power point: $10 or less (single power point installation isn't so common.
Double power point USB charger: $12
Five power points: $45 or more (might require a new electrical system and or power board depending on the power outages).
Extra power points installed: $30 to $100 (depending on the required electrical work).
The Australian Standards for Electrical Installations are AS/NZS 3000:2007. This standard gives guidance on how to make safe and proper electrical installations and ensure customer satisfaction. The most important thing that must be taken into consideration in ensuring a safe installation is the separation of low-voltage and high-voltage cables. This is so that if there is damage or failure to a low-voltage cable (typically AC power cables) then the high voltage ones remain insulated from it and therefore do not pose a safety risk. This standard also requires that all electrical installations are done in a way where they can be accessed easily by licensed electricians should they need to perform repairs at some point in the future.
The easiest way to attach a power point to a brick wall is to use a power point kit. These kits are available at most hardware stores and come with everything you need for installation. The first step is to attach the power point to the existing switchboard bracket which will then be attached to the brick wall. The power point kit comes with all you need for this, such as screws and raw plugs. Once these have been inserted into the power point it can be screwed onto the bracket using a screwdriver until tight. The next step is to attach the bracket to the brick wall. For best results use a drill and masonry bit to make holes in the bricks before screwing in raw plugs. The power point kit will come with different sized raw plugs depending on the depth of your brick wall. Once the plugs are in place, screw on the bracket using a drill and screwdriver until tight. The final step is to attach the braid plate to the end of your electrical cable which will be connected to an outlet inside. The screws provided with your kit should be used for this purpose and then push the cable through the holes in it before attaching it to either side of your power point. Once this has been done, you can attach your electrical cable to an existing outlet or use another type of connector such as an adaptor if you don't have access to an existing outlet.