Safety Switch vs Circuit Breaker

Although many people make the mistake of assuming that they are the same thing, a safety switch and a circuit breaker have a few key points of difference.  

Unless you’re a qualified electrician, it’s safe to say that the average residential switchboard has a lot going on. While most buttons and gadgets are quite foreign to the average homeowner, most of us can confidently locate the safety switch and circuit breaker in the event of an emergency.

Despite this knowledge, only a small percentage of people actually realise that while their function is similar, they are in fact two separate entities with slightly different parts to play when it comes to managing the safety of a home’s electricity output – so what exactly are they, how do they work, and how do they differ?

Comparing A Safety Switch And A Circuit Breaker 

The biggest difference to note between a safety switch and circuit breaker is what they are designed to protect. The role of a circuit breaker is to protect both your appliances and the wiring in your home or office, whereas a safety switch is designed to protect people from the risk of an electric shock.

Your circuit breaker’s job is to protect your entire power system from an excessive electrical load that could lead to electrical shock and electrical damage. If you see that your house or a particular area in your home loses electricity, then more often than not, something is wrong with an appliance, a device, or wiring. 

Your circuit breaker should protect your electrical system from electrical shocks and electrical damage due to faulty electrical wirings, overloading and even appliance failure. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow after protective relays detect a fault, and aside from losing power, you might also experience flickering lights when your circuit breaker trips. 

In contrast, safety switches are a means to ensure that we can reap the benefits of electricity whilst doing so in a manner that limits exposure to any potential hazards, accidents or mishaps. By law, safety switches protecting power points and lighting circuits must be installed in all new homes and in buildings where electrical circuits are altered or added. Although the exact legislation varies between the different states and territories, the general rule of thumb is that if your home is older, it may not be protected by safety switches.

When in action, a safety switch is triggered by the unit detecting a change in the flow of electricity through the circuit that it is fitted to. A broad range of electrical issues or problems can cause the safety switch to be triggered, with common examples including – 

• Overloaded power sockets or power boards
• Having too many appliances running at the same time 
• An electrical fault in an appliance
• Faults within the wiring of a home or dwelling
• Water in the walls or ceiling that may affect the power circuit

For the latter, this is not that uncommon after heavy rainfall. A leaking pipe in a wall cavity can cause safety switches to trip, and occasionally even a sprinkler hitting an outdoor power point. While a wide variety of unusual conditions can cause the safety switch to take action, its presence alone can be a game changer when it comes to avoiding a potential disaster. 

While some people assume that a circuit breaker and a safety switch are one in the same, the reality is that you really do need both to be correctly installed as a way to protect both your home and the people that reside in it. 

If you’re on the hunt for a decent sparky to help install or repair a safety switch or circuit breaker, finding a reputable and local electrician to bring your vision to life can feel a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Thankfully, the team at Shield Electrical offer a solution. 

Where To Get Advice On All Things Electrical 

Here at Shield Electrical, we are a Brisbane based electrical contracting company, and pride ourselves on being shockingly good at watt we do. For us, friendly and reliable customer service isn’t just a nice add on – it’s how we do business. Don’t take our word for it though, just ask our clients. 

Established in 2015, Shield Electrical is lighting the way when it comes to providing electrical work with world class customer service. With our headquarters based in the central suburban pocket of Coorparoo, our team of qualified industry professionals are readily available to deliver quality workmanship, fast quotes, and affordable pricing.

Whether you’re on the hunt for an electrician for domestic services, residential, commercial and industrial construction, security systems or even just further energy saving tips, get in touch with us at Shield today to source practical solutions that don’t break the bank.