Malaysians still in the dark over safety measures for water heaters at home
This, said the Energy Commission of Malaysia, has left millions of Malaysians open to potential dangers in their own household. However, what’s disheartening is that some Malaysians, despite being aware of the dangers, are reluctant to fork out the additional cost, feeling that the risk is worth taking.
The commission’s department of electrical safety regulation director Abdul Rahim Ibrahim said, under the Electricity Regulation 1994, it is mandatory for all consumers to install an external residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) with a 10mA (milliampere) current leakage sensitivity for water heaters.
“It is a requirement for consumers to install an external RCCB, for each water heater in their house, preferably outside the bathroom, for easy access.
“However, many consumers fail to adhere to the regulation,” he said, adding that this was primarily due to lack of awareness.
Abdul Rahim said to address this, the commission, along with the Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism Ministry, and Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia, were devising awareness campaigns and programmes for the next several months.
He said the commission will hold a meeting next month with water heater manufacturers and retailers to compel installers follow regulations by installing an external RCCB.
The meeting will be held after the commission receives a report on the investigation of the Sept 9 death of a Japanese couple, due to electrocution, in their Mont Kiara home.
Meanwhile, Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia (TEEAM) president Chew Shee Fuee said many consumers assumed that the built-in 15mA circuit breaker was sufficient, when in fact it would not provide full protection against leakages.
The external RCCB, he said, serves as an added protection.
“The 10mA is the most sensitive RCCB that could detect even 0.01Amp of current, meaning it is able to detect current leakage speedily.
“The main RCCB at the switch board, which has a sensitivity of 100mA, would not be fast enough to stop the electricity supply, resulting in a short circuit.”
He said although total reliance on the 100mA RCCB would not lead to death, it would cause an electrical shock.
“All water heaters are equipped with heating coils which are immersed in the water inside the water heater. Any insulation failure of this coil will endanger the person using the water heater.
“To isolate the electrical supply in the event of a failure, protection can be provided by an external 10mA RCCB,” he said.
He said although some consumers were aware of the regulation, they chose not to install the additional RCCB, due to cost.
Chew said the average market price of the external RCCB including its installation fee ranges between RM300 to RM500.
He also noted that consumers also need an external 30mA RCCB that offers added protection for other household electrical appliances.
He advised consumers to test the built-in RCCB in the water heater, external RCCB and the one at the main switchboard at least four times a year to prevent electrocution.
“The tripping test can easily be done by pressing a button marked ‘Test’ on the RCCB. It should be replaced if it fails to trip.”
Meanwhile, TEEAM committee member Ho Khai Hong said most electrocution cases occurred because of the absence of an external RCCB.
He encouraged consumers to be more aware of safety when it comes to water heaters.
“It is also recommended to change the external RCCB every 10 to 20 years depending on the quality and usage of water heater.”
Thermo Hygro Consultants chairman Tee Tone Vei said, under normal circumstances, the current flow between the live and neutral wire should be equal.
“When a current leakage occurs, part of the current will flow out through the earth wire, and thus cause an imbalance between the live and neutral wires.
“This is the time when RCCB measures the imbalance and cuts off the electrical supply, hence protecting the user,” said Tee, who is also the member of the expert committee and chairperson of heating appliances working group for Sirim.
Source: New Straits Times
