FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRINGS - PART 1

GOING BACK TO BASICS

FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRINGS - A CLOSER LOOK

(First Part of a Series of Six)

by Doods A. Amora, PEE

(January, 2008)

Doods’ Note:


[This article may bring some concerns for discussion amongst electrical practitioners because of the diversities in views over the subject. Nonetheless written in the context of “everybody is entitled to his own opinion”; note that this article reflects the author’s position – a position that may later be argued or deliberated upon.

It is hoped however that the full text of the article be read and the author’s points appreciated. After all, this article is an attempt to help clear why buildings burn in the light of situations where electrically-started fires are in focus. This article also intends to show why there’s a real need for competent electrical engineers or practitioners to design electrical systems and for master electricians executing the actual wirings whether for homes, offices, buildings or industrial plants.]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


1.0: INTRODUCTION


For the past five years preceding 2006, an average of 26 fires hit the Philippines daily. In a March 2006 report published by Xinhua News Agency, the Philippines’ Bureau of Fire Protection cited a total of 46,719 fires were recorded nationwide from 2001 to 2005. From 7,213 fires recorded in 2001, the number of reported incidents increased to 10,728 in 2005. The report however did not itemize details as to the breakdown of the causes of these fires. Likewise, no available updates so far are published for year 2006 & 2007.

But more often than not, most fires in Philippine buildings & residences have always been attributed to “faulty electrical wiring”. A month ago, national TV newscasts reported a fire in Iligan City, eating up four homes – this time, the cause given was, “short circuit”. This is just one of the several episodes.

Perhaps, in the monotony of the phrase ‘faulty electrical wirings’; some reporters put it as “short circuit”. After all, said one radio announcer in Cebu City, “short circuits and faulty electrical wirings mean the same”.

Meanwhile, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) accounts that in a typical year, home electrical problems registered 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, and some US$ 868 million in property losses.

While the month of March in the Philippines is red for fires, in the USA, “December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires and fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increase in lighting, heating, and appliance use.”

Note that in leading countries, causes of electrically-started fires are classified as: a) faulty distribution wirings (referring to fixed & movable wirings), and; b) electrical appliances (referring to unattended appliances & appliance faults). A web article says that, “In urban areas (USA), faulty distribution wiring accounts for 33% of residential electrical fires. Home faulty electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as caused by electrical appliances”. Other causes of course are non-electrical in nature; topping them is negligence on the part of the house occupants.

Back to the Philippines, frequently tagged as causes of building fires that are electrical in nature are: “faulty electrical wirings” or “short circuits”. Interestingly, most significant building fires in the Philippines usually happen in the month of March – i.e., coinciding with the Fire Prevention Month. From the way it is, it seems that the month of March is flirting with fires…huh?

2.0: IS THERE SUCH A THING AS “FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING”?

Apparently, people are accustomed to use the phrases “faulty wirings” and “short circuit” as interchangeably similar. But, is ‘faulty electrical wiring’ the same as ‘short circuit’?

Maybe so, maybe not…

“If the wiring is faulty, why the circuits did not blow off when first energized many years ago? Why only now?” There goes the common line of argument.

The phrase ‘Faulty Electrical Wiring’ has thus triggered reservations even among electrical engineers. Many electrical practitioners believe “substandard installations”, and, “abuse & misuse of electricity” as the reasons for electrically-started fires, and that, “there is no such thing as faulty electrical wirings”.

Of course to this author, the “myth” in ‘faulty electrical wirings’ could be true or not, depending on what intention or which side one is looking at. By the way, if the ‘official’ cause of the fire is tagged as ‘faulty wiring’; the insurance companies in the Philippines pay without fuss. Probably, this could be one of the reasons why faulty electrical wirings became famous or infamous.

[Good wirings, huh?]

But fact is, faulty wirings are real. Even the United States Fire Administration (USFA) recognizes it. And faulty wirings do not appear during the first energization of a circuit. Opposite to the beliefs of many, faulty wirings usually manifest themselves when the building becomes old.

But how can electrical installations became faulty when there was never an electrical problem all these years? But interestingly then, we should note that in the USA, buildings that are 30 years old and older are considered electrical fire hazards. In the Philippines, many are thinking otherwise! Why? Because “if the building has lasted for 30 years, why should it not be electrically safe for the next 20 years?” Again, the common line of argument…

To this writer, in electrical engineering practice, energizing a system successfully doesn’t always mean that they are not faulty. But are the electrical systems we live with today in our homes or offices, have the integrity? Gentlemen, mark the word “integrity”.

Now, the seemingly simple thing is becoming complicated. Let us tackle these subjects one by one.

(To be continued…)