Are You Protected Against Electrocution? – Survey Report
Survey Findings: Report of the Survey on Residual Current Devices at Homes and non-Fatal Accidents
Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) recently conducted a study citing the alarming findings of a sample survey conducted in Katugastota area, where about 36 percent electrocution have occurred due to non-availability and non-operability of Residual Current Devices (RCDs/ Trip Switch ) in domestic dwellings.
Trip Switches are used to provide protection against the specific dangers that may arise in electrical installation including protection against indirect contact, supplementary protection against direct contact and protection against fire and thermal effects where the domestic safety entirely depends on the availability and the operability of the trip switch, the study pointed out.
Hence, PUCSL conducted a comprehensive survey to check household safety in five areas namely Colombo North, Galle (both CEB & LECO), Jaffna, Nuwara Eliya and Anuradhapura. The survey was based on the statistical samples obtained from domestic electricity consumers of Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of five licensee areas based on the electricity consumption.
Accordingly PUCSL found out that availability of Trip Switches in domestic dwellings is about 90 percent but only 86 percent is operated properly.
The survey also said Trip Switches with correct sensitivity is around 86 percent while only 52 percent of the Trip Switches are tested in every two months intervals.
Based on the findings, PUCSL made recommendation to electrical workers, licensees and households to be more cautious when fixing of standard Trip Switches in Electrical wiring Installations in dwelling and made it compulsory, where licensee was asked to make sure Trip Switches are in place at the time of new supply connection as well as when Revenue Meter Reader visits the house.
PUCSL also advised to educated and be educated to press the trip switch test button regularly (at least once two months) to check that its mechanism is free and functioning.
The Survey Report is attached:-