A Safety News Bulletin Vol.

7 - 2009

Electricity usage has become an integral part of our day-to-day activities. While enjoying the benefits of electricity one should also be cautious of its safe usage. Electricity is a good servant, but a bad master! Use of electricity can prove to be detrimental if wiring/installation is not done properly or the same is not protected well. This issue of SURAKSHA will discuss few simple tips on House Wiring and Protection of Circuits.

Cables / Wires Use good make and ISI marked copper cables of adequate size. Higher size conductor reduces resistance thereby reducing heat generation and risk of fire hazard. This also reduces the energy loss in wiring. Install electrical circuits and communication circuits e.g. telephone in separate conduits/casings. Before installing high power consuming appliance viz. air-conditioner, geyser, etc. ensure that wiring is of adequate capacity to take the additional load. Preferably, the wiring for the same should run separately with separate Neutral brought from supply terminal. This reduces voltage fluctuation in other loads. Sockets / Switches Use good make and ISI marked switches. Normally, in house wiring, single pole switches are used which ensure that switches are in "live" or "phase" wire of the circuit connected to appliance. If switch is connected in "neutral" wire, the appliance/circuit may cause an electric shock even though the switch is in "off" position. Always use three pin plug/ socket of proper rating. Neutral

Neutral provides return path to the current. Dont provide fuse control to it. Always have separate neutral and earth wire. Earthing Ensure proper Earthing as it provides a low resistance path for dissipation of leakage current into the earth, thus avoiding the risk of electric shock. Earth wire should never be used as a Neutral wire and its use should be restricted only for the purpose of appliance body Earthing. Use Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) as a protection against leakage current and associated risk of an electric shock.

Get the House Wiring tested for its healthiness and proper grounding at least once in a year by a certified electrician.

Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) Faulty wiring, poorly insulated appliance or its improper use may cause current to flow through the wrong path (i.e. appliance body / casing) to the earth. This Leakage Current and associated risk can be prevented with the help of ELCB. ELCB installation is mandatory for all 3 phase loads and loads above 5 kW. It is recommended for All residential premises as main incoming after Energy Meter. All domestic appliances where there is proximity of moisture/ conductive liquids i.e. Water Heater, Washing Machines, Pump Sets etc. A fault current as low as 4 to 6 milli amperes activates the ELCB and interrupts the power circuit within 30 milli seconds. ELCB operates even in case of neutral failure. Dos It is recommended to test ELCB once a month with the help of a Test Push-button available on the unit itself. While the electricity is on (i.e. not during power-cut or with the mains off), gently push the Test push-button on ELCB. If it trips (i.e. the ON/OFF switch will snap and drop to the lower position. You can see the OFF label/symbol), then the ELCB is working properly. In case of ELCB tripping, call a certified electrician to locate the fault and eliminate the same. ELCB can be reset on elimination of fault and set on again, therby not requiring any replacement.

In the most typical electrical fault termed as short circuit, the supply phase and neutral or earth gets short circuited accidentally due to foreign metallic substance coming in contact with phase and neutral or earth or due to overload, thereby resulting in a heavy current flow called as a "short circuit current". This high current may generate sparking and lead to fire. Install Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) to restrict the short circuit current and to isolate the faulty circuit from electric supply. Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) MCB is a combination of switch and fuse with specified level of fault clearing capacity. It can be used to protect individual circuit / installation. Like ELCB, it can be reset on elimination of fault and set on again.

Difference between MCB and ELCB MCB provides protection against overload and/or short-circuit current. Installation of MCB is, moreover, to protect an electrical appliance and wiring system itself. On the other hand, instllation of ELCB offers personnel protection against leakage current and associated risk of an electric shock.
Disclaimer: The information herein mentioned has been derived and compiled from various sources and it is advised that all the readers should independently verify and take necessary precautions and care. Reliance Energy hereby disclaims and inform all the readers that it shall not be liable for correctness or authenticity of the information provided herein and to all actions and claims if any thereto.