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Your home can be connected to the energy grid in two ways: with 2 wires (single-phase) or 3 or 4 wires (three-phase). Each type of connection has its advantages.
An electric overload occurs when too much current passes through electric wires. In some cases, this overload can cause a fire.
Grounding (or earthing) prevents electrical shock by rerouting any electrical current that might escape from a device to a metallic conductor (cable) that ends with a stake (rod) buried in the ground.
Music, Christmas lights, electric garden tools, barbecue, ... extension cords come in handy more than once. But always remember to keep it safe!
In case of a power failure or a mains power outage, some devices and appliances will malfunction. In that case, any damage is your own responsibility. Thankfully, damage can be largely avoided.
An automatic circuit breaker is increasingly being used as an alternative to the earlier fuse. Both protect against short circuits and overloads, but whereas a circuit breaker can simply be reset, a fuse always needs to be replaced.
If you have a power cut, you should first check whether the problem is general or individual. Depending on the situation, you may be able to resolve the problem yourself. Otherwise, you have to contact Sibelga or an electrician.
When moving in, take out a plan with the energy supplier of your choice. During the tenancy, take care of the gas and electricity installations. When moving out, close the account if the new occupant refuses the transfer procedure.
Yes, provided you follow a few precautions and coordinate with other occupants of the building to avoid any danger and comply with the regulations.
An electric overload occurs when too much current passes through electric wires. In some cases, this overload can cause a fire.
The answer is easy: the regulations require you to, i.e. during periodic inspection of your heating installation.This is a good idea anyway, for your own safety, as a third of house fires start in chimneys!
The electrical installation of your home is a labyrinth of fuses, switches and electric circuits. It is a complex and interconnected tangled web. Focus on the heart of your electrical installation.
A carbon monoxide detector can save lives, but only if you hang it in the right place. And there are many misunderstandings about that.
You will make huge savings by replacing your boiler if it is more than fifteen to twenty years old. Was it installed before 1978? It will soon no longer be compatible with the gas in Brussels. Another reason for getting ahead!
There is much less risk of damage or fire caused by lightning in the town than in the countryside. Some points of advice and tips to follow if you want to take maximum precautions.
Collect evidence to show that the problem exists. If your owner still refuses to replace or repair the boiler, you should call on the justice of the peace.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a hazardous odour- and colourless gas. Nevertheless, CO poisoning can be easily avoided by taking four precautions.
As an owner or tenant, you have to take care of the area surrounding your meter. You can follow a number of instructions to guarantee the safety of your meter.
By adopting good habits and improving your installation, you will use less hot water and relieve your wallet.
Can you smell gas in your home, a building or the street? Open all doors and windows and call 0800 19 400– away from the area where gas you can smell gas. Sibelga will send an intervention team to the site straight away.
If your electricity installation does not function properly, you run the risk of power cuts, short circuits and fire. You can take a number of precautions to guarantee your safety.
Cerga is a quality label for professional natural gas fitters, issued by the KVBG/ARGB – the Royal Association of Belgian Gas Professionals.
Choose an efficient stove which is suitable for your room, have the chimney cleaned regularly, choose a suitable wood to burn and learn how to light your stove properly!
There are no legal provisions for the standard maintenance of an electrical installation. So everyone has to maintain their installation with due care and attention. In some case an installation does have to undergo a conformity inspection carried out by an approved body.
We explain some basic safety rules in 10 steps. Or call your service engineer for installation, inspection and maintenance of your gas installation.
Your garden lighting will be exposed to damp, changes in temperature and even shocks. So several precautions must be taken.
An inspection body will check the conformity of your new installation if the work has not been done by a Cerga fitter. For check-ups in compliance with the EPB requirements, you should contact a specialist approved by Leefmilieu Brussel/Bruxelles Environnement.
Energy, home safety and anti-burglar alarm: sure you have not forgotten something? Consult our holiday departure checklist.
A small photovoltaic generation installation (≤ 10 kVA) may automatically disconnect from the network. These automatic disconnections occur when the voltage or the frequency at the attachment clamps on the converter reach values that are too low or too high. There may be several reasons for this.
Follow our advice to make the correct choices when buying domestic appliances for the kitchen and limit their consumption.
It is obligatory to contact approved professionals to have your indoor electricity installations checked.
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The answer to all your energy questions in Brussels
