Electricity is an essential part in our daily lives. It is thus important to have electrical safety awareness and safe habits when using electricity.
As the Regulator of the electricity and piped gas industry, one of the Energy Market Authority's duties is to protect the interests of consumers with regard to pricing, performance standards, reliability and safety of supply. The following is a quick guide for all electricity consumers on some important safety tips to remember when using electricity.
Check Your RCCB Regularly
The residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), formerly known as Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker or ELCB, is a safety device available in all households and buildings. The RCCB helps prevent the occurrence of electrocution as it cuts off electricity supply immediately when it detects any current leakage in an electrical circuit i.e. short circuits.
Check that you have one installed on your premises and make it a point to ensure that your RCCB is working by pressing the test button each month.
Always Engage a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)
Engage only licensed electrical workers to carry out any electrical installation, maintenance and repair work. This includes new wiring, rewiring and extensions which have to be tested by an authorised officer of SP Services Ltd before supply is turned on.
To check whether a person is a LEW, consumers can call telephone number 6835-8075 or check online.
A reminder: Always verify whether the person you engaged is an EMA licensed electrical worker before allowing him to carry out any electrical work in your premises!
Keep Electricity and Water Apart!
Do not use electrical appliances near water or with wet hands; nor touch an open electricity outlet or electrical switch with wet hands. This can lead to current leakage which may be dangerous.
Do Not Overload Power Points
Overloading power points is dangerous as it may lead to current leakage. So do not 'piggy back' multiple plugs into one socket by using double adaptors.
Also, get power points which are cracked or broken replaced immediately by a licensed electrical worker.
Some Do's and Don'ts for Electrical Cords
Do not join cut or frayed electrical cords together with insulation tape as this may peel off after a while and leave wires exposed. Replace the cord with a new one instead.
Do not run wires around sharp edges as their insulation may be cut.
When not using an electrical appliance, do switch it off and store the electrical cord carefully to avoid damage.
