Are you aware of the hidden dangers lurking within your home’s electrical system? In Bali, as in many other places, poorly designed and installed electrical circuits are a leading cause of both electrocution and house fires. These aren’t just hypothetical risks; they are real tragedies that can be avoided with the right precautions.
The Dangers of Electrical Faults
- Electric shocks can be fatal. People are regularly injured or killed due to electrical problems in their homes. These accidents often occur when electrical systems aren’t properly designed or installed.
- Short circuits are the primary cause of building fires. In Indonesia, including Bali, electrical short circuits frequently lead to devastating fires, such as the ones that destroyed the Badung Market.
How Vulnerable Are You?
Consider these common scenarios that can lead to electrical hazards:
- Poor installations: Exposed wires or loose connections can create short circuits.
- Damaged wires: When wires come into contact with metal appliance bodies, it can lead to shocks.
- Substandard extension leads: Low-quality or damaged extension cords are a risk.
- Rodent damage: Rats and abrasion can damage cables.
- Unprotected garden wiring: Outdoor wiring must be properly insulated.
- Water exposure: Flooding, rain, or spills can cause electrical hazards.
- Power surges: Lightning strikes or grid switching can cause dangerous surges.
Key Steps for Electrical Safety
To protect your home and family, consider the following essential measures:
- Proper Design and Installation: Ensure your electrical systems are designed and installed by qualified professionals. Connections should be secure, wires fully insulated, and joints housed in junction boxes. Wiring should be protected from damage by using conduit.
- Circuit Breakers (MCBs): Install circuit breakers that are appropriately sized to cut off power during surges. It is essential that these breakers trip when there’s a fault. Avoid the temptation to install oversized breakers that will not trip.
- Earthing: Make sure your electrical circuits are properly earthed. This involves connecting circuits to the ground.
- Appliance Earthing: Ensure that appliance bodies are earthed, directing any fault current safely to the ground and causing the circuit breaker to cut out.
- Earth Leakage Detectors (RCDs/RCBOs): These devices detect small leakages to the earth (such as through a person) and immediately cut off the power. They are essential to safeguard lives. Do not disable them.
- Surge Protectors: Install surge protectors to safeguard circuits from overloads due to electrical surges.
The Reality in Bali
Many buildings in Bali, including newly built luxury villas, often fail to meet basic electrical safety standards. This is often due to a lack of training for electricians and a lack of awareness of the legal requirements. Although there is an electrical standard (SNI 04-0225-2000), which is based on European standards, many who install and maintain electrical systems are not aware of the standard.
Specific Areas of Concern
- Steel Frames: If lighting or electrical switches are installed on lightweight steel roof or wall frames, these frames should be directly earthed to prevent them from becoming live.
- Swimming Pools: Always ensure that swimming pool lights use low voltage (12V), and protect pump rooms from leaks, rain, and flooding. Also, consider installing a sump with a submersible pump to manage any water accumulation.
- Fish Ponds: Like swimming pools, fish ponds with pumps and lighting need regular inspection and maintenance.
- Water Heaters: Older steel pipes often provided an earth, which is not the case with PVC pipes. Make sure your water system is effectively earthed as corroded water heater elements can make water “live”.
Staying Safe
Electrical safety is not a minor issue; it’s a critical aspect of homeownership. By ensuring that your electrical systems are correctly installed, regularly inspected, and equipped with the right protective devices, you will significantly increase the safety of your home and family.
