Electrical Safety

Observing Electrical Safety

in Workplaces
10th July 2014

Presenter :

Er. Edward Low

Engineering Director
Quality Power Management Pte Ltd

Introduction
Mr Edward Low Kah Loong, Engineering Director
A Singapore-Registered Professional Engineer
Graduated from the University of Tennessee, with a
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.Sc.)
Twelve years with SP PowerGrid Ltd. as a Deputy
Director and an authorised switching engineer operating
up to 66kV voltage level.
An ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer.

Er. Edward Low

Represented Singapore in the ASEANs Heads Of

ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA) as the
Chairman of HAPUA Working Group that focuses on
Distribution and Power Reliability & Quality.
Was instrumental in formulating many SP PowerGrid
standard operating procedures as well as maintenance
standards, especially in the area of predictive
maintenance.

Electrical Safety

Overall View of Electrical Safety

- Regulatory Aspects
Type of
Installation
Permanent
Installations

Temporary
Installations

Code of Practice
SS CP 5:1998

Electrical Installations

SS CP 555: 2010 (formerly CP 33) Lightning Protection

SS 538:2008 (formerly CP 17)

Maintenance of Electrical Equipment of

Electrical Installation

SS 551:2009 (formerly CP 16)

Earthing

SS CP 88-1:2001

Construction and Building Sites

SS CP 88-2:2001

Festive Lighting, Trade Fairs, Mini-Fairs

and Exhibition Sites

SS CP 88-3:2001

Ship-Building and Ship-Repairing Yards

Electrical Safety

Overall View of Electrical Safety

1.
2.
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8.

14 Items to be Registered/Approved from

Spring Singapore Before Use
3-pin rectangular type 13-Amp plugs
Fuses ( less than or equal to 13 amperes ) for
use in plugs
3-pin round type 15-Amp plugs
Multi-way Adaptors
3-pin Portable Socket-outlets
Portable Cable Reels
Instantaneous Electric Water Heaters
Mains Pressure Electric Storage Water Heaters

Overall View of Electrical Safety

14 Prescribed Items
9. Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers
10. 3-pin 13-Amp Switched Socket-outlets
11. 3-pin round type 15-Amp Switched Socketoutlets
12. 13-Amp Wall Switch
13. Ballasts
14. Isolating Transformers

Electrical Safety

Overall View of Electrical Safety

Safety Equipment

Non-compliance Temporary Supply Switchboard not secured

DB was just sitting on top of

hollow block; not secured

Rectified - DB mounted on stand

Electrical Safety

Non-Compliance - Wrong Polarity. Temporary DB with male sockets

connected to Live

Earth Work and Cable Protection

Electrical Safety

Arc Flash Safety

Arc Flash and Blast

Electrical Safety

Arc Flash and Blast

Arc Flash
Point of Arc Flash Temperature 35,000F
This heat can cause molten metals to
vaporise and produce a plasma fireball
Expansion of super-heated air & vaporizing
metals will create extreme pressure
This can cause great danger

Electrical Safety

An LEWs Perspective
Before Stepping Into A Switchroom:

Smell for ionization, foul or burning smell

Hear for humming, hissing or rapid energizing and

de-energizing of contactors

See, look out for irregularities like improper installation,

broken handle of MCCB or sign of water seepage. Do
not step or touch the water surrounding the switch
board, it could be live

Feel the heat in the switch room

Touch for vibration, surface temperature

Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Competency

Electrical Safety
Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Maintain Good Housekeeping

Areas like passageway, surrounding of switch room

should be kept clear

Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Quality of Work

Loose cable dangling without mechanical protection

Electrical Safety
Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Quality of Work

Lightning conductor removed by roof

retrofitting contractor

Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Pest Control

Ensure rodent bait is used

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Electrical Safety
Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Signs of Overheating

Check for any overloading or overheating on the main

switchboard as the surface should not be hot and does
not produce any unusual/ excessive humming sound

Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

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Electrical Safety
Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Burnt Air Circuit Breaker

Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Expired or Soon-To-Be Expired

Fire Extinguishers

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Electrical Safety
Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

On-Time Servicing

Servicing regime should follow the Maintenance Matrix

in SS 538: 2008 published by SPRING Singapore

What Makes A Good

Inspection Report?
Clear

(eg. Refers to Regulations / Photos)

Accurate
Detailed
Timely
Provides Advisory

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Electrical Safety

An Inspection Report Sample

An Inspection Report Sample

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Electrical Safety

An Inspection Report Sample

An Inspection Report Sample

Report and Defect List
Received and
Acted Upon by
Management
Quickly!

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Electrical Safety

Inspection Findings
Its All In The Details
1.
2.
3.
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8.
9.
10.
11.

Maintenance Regime (Servicing, Inspection etc.)

Accessibility / Housekeeping (Cleanliness, Eqpt. etc)
Improper Installation
Protection Systems
Protection Against Spillage / Rodents
Instrument & Indicating Lights
Protective Relays
Readings Loading / Temperature
Signs of Overheating
Excessive Humming Noise
Fire Extinguisher

Er. Edward Low

Engineering Director
Quality Power Management Pte Ltd
16 Boon Lay Way, #01-43 Tradehub21
Singapore 609965
www.qpower.com.sg

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