Better safe than sorry: Avoid overloading wiring to ensure electrical safety. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Wiring systems and inspections should only be carried out by contractors registered with the Energy Commission, says Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia president Chang Yew Cheong.
“Under the Electricity Supply Act 1990, all electrical installations shall be performed by a competent electrical contractor.
“Any electrical work should be carried out by a qualified wireman as improper electrical wiring can cause a fire or electrocution,” he said.
According to Chang, the rising trend of co-living rentals has resulted in wiring issues due to too many occupants in a residential unit.
“Often, ‘nuisance tripping’ of the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) and Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) will occur to prevent a fire.
“Some distribution boards (DBs) may have been modified, posing a danger to the tenants, especially when the power circuit and the lighting circuit are bundled together and go through the smart meter, which may not be protected by the MCB and RCCB,” Chang explained.
A power outage known as nuisance tripping occurs when the MCB distributes power unevenly due to overloading.
“Improper sizing of the RCCB can also be an issue.
“If current leakage occurs in the electrical network due to faulty appliances, the RCCB will not trip, potentially causing electrocution if a user touches the faulty appliance’s metal casing,” said Chang.
To check whether the switchboxes have been tampered with, homeowners are advised to compare the existing DB with the original plan provided by the property developer.
“If the layout is different from the original design, it may have been refitted.
“Secondly, a visual check can be performed on the DB panel. If there is messy wiring inside the box, it may have also been modified,” Chang added.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah raised concerns about the possibility of untrained workers being employed to carry out electrical tasks.
“This poses significant safety risks to the public. We call for strict enforcement regulations by the relevant authorities to ensure that all workers conducting electrical tasks are adequately trained and certified,” he said.
He also called for campaigns to focus on the proper use of electrical appliances, avoiding overloaded power outlets and regular home-wiring system maintenance.
“Inspections to ensure compliance should also be intensified, especially in high-risk residential areas.
“The public should report to the authorities of unsafe practices of contractors or if they use substandard appliances,” he added.
Saravanan said the government could also consider providing incentives for households to upgrade outdated wiring or replace non-certified appliances.
“The measures can collectively help prevent incidents and ensure a safer environment,” he added.
Last month, a 31-year-old woman was killed while two others were rescued following a fire at an apartment in Damansara when a switch box in a unit on the 14th floor caught fire.
In March, a fire caused by an electrical distribution board razed a hypermarket in Perak.
In February, a fire broke out at the Sri Sabah flat in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, believed to have been caused by faulty wiring.
