Risk of Electrocution by Running Instant Electric Water Heater with Plug and Socket
By Choo WS, ShowerTec Industries Sdn Bhd
Introduction
In Malaysia, Electric Instant Water Heater is always the best seller (half a million units per year) followed by Electric Storage Heater (80k units per year) and Solar Water Heater (20k units per year). Due to simplicity and affordability, Electric Instant Water Heater can be seen in almost every Malaysian household, including landed houses, high-rise condos, service apartments, chalets, budgets hotels, service apartments or even some saloons.
Despite the popularity and increasing usage of Electric Instant Water Heater, we have noted that some aspects of the safety measure are being overlooked, and often neglected, or just simply being ignored (“tidak-apa” attitude), and that is wher accidents start to happens. As shown in fig 1 and fig 2, we have noted that most of the Malaysian households are running this appliance with 13A/15A plug and sockets, or via sub-standard connector (without approval). Are they safe?
Based on wiring guidelines published by ST, water heaters exceeding 3kW shall be permanently connected to a 20A/30A rated 2 pole On/Off switch outside bathroom, but why is the socket and plug being put up in the bathroom, on top of the shower rose?
Summary
- Water heaters shall only be wired permanently and directly from the 2 pole On/Off switch outside the bathroom using 4.0mm square wire.
- Remove the socket and plug, and use the “SPLASH PROOF WATER HEATER CONNECTOR” to run Electric Instant Water Heater.
- Use only water heaters that are approved by SIRIM and ST (Suruhanjaya Tenaga), you may log on to www.malaysiancertified.com.my to check.
- Test the RCCB in your house Distribution Box regularly to ensure its functionality, it shoud be tested 4 times annually in accordance to the requirement by manufacturer.
- House wiring system is recommended to be inspected by qualified electrical contractors every 10 – 15 years for deteriorations.
Conclusion
The above actions are often being neglected due to unawareness of users, unscrupulous businesses / installers who are taking things for granted, weak enforcement on safety regulations, and many other factors which will make it impossible to install the water heating system in a risk-free environment. In fact, socket and plug cannot be used for water heater installation anymore as all water heaters in Malaysia are above 3.0kW and it consumes more than 15 Amps. Developers should be urged to stop providing socket on top of shower rose in new houses to enhance user’s safety.
Figure 1: It has been observed in recent years that sockets were provided on top of shower rose of new residential units, and the installers just fix 13A/15A plugs onto the sockets to power the Electric Instant Water Heater. After some time of usage, especially during rainy days, users tend to shower with maximum power, and the socket & plug melted / burnt.
Figure 2: After removing the socket, some installers use terminal blocks which are sub-standard, non-approved and without glow wire test to connect the wires to the heaters. These terminal blocks will melt after a period of usage.
