Nagpur: With a surge in electricity-related accidents during the monsoon season, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has issued an advisory urging citizens to install circuit breakers in homes, shops, and establishments to safeguard lives and property. The advisory emphasizes that rainwater seepage into electrical wires, walls, or appliances can lead to dangerous electric shocks and fire hazards.
According to MSEDCL, most electric accidents occur due to faulty internal wiring, current leakage, or absence of proper circuit breakers and earthing. Giving priority to electrical safety is not only crucial but a shared responsibility, said the company.
What is a Circuit Breaker?
A circuit breaker is a critical safety device for any household or commercial electrical system. MSEDCL recommends its use to prevent electrical mishaps and protect expensive appliances.
When a circuit experiences an overload — for instance, due to plugging in multiple devices in one socket — wires can overheat and potentially catch fire. A circuit breaker detects the overload and instantly cuts off power, preventing short circuits and fire risks. Similarly, if there’s a fault in the wiring or if two wires accidentally touch each other, it causes a short circuit, resulting in a sudden spike in current. This can damage appliances or even start a fire. A circuit breaker immediately trips in such cases, averting further danger.
Special types of breakers such as Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB) or Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCB) are designed to protect human life from electric shocks. If someone receives an electric shock or if there’s a leakage of current, these breakers shut off the power supply within milliseconds, significantly reducing the risk of severe injury or death.
Circuit breakers are also highly effective in protecting costly appliances like refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, and fans from damage due to power surges or short circuits. In case of a fault in a specific section of the house, that particular breaker can be turned off, allowing safe repair work without switching off the entire house’s electricity.
MSEDCL has urged consumers to install appropriately rated Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB), ELCBs, or RCCBs in their homes to ensure full protection.
Don’t Ignore Earthing
Alongside circuit breakers, proper earthing is essential for a robust electrical safety system. In the event of excessive current generation, it is safely diverted into the ground via earthing, thus avoiding electric shocks. MSEDCL has stressed that installing both circuit breakers and proper earthing is mandatory in all new constructions. In older buildings or houses where they are not installed, immediate action should be taken to have them fitted. Consumers are also advised to get their earthing systems inspected every two years to ensure they are in good working condition.
Use Electric Testers for Extra Caution
MSEDCL also recommends the use of simple electric testers, available in the market for as low as ₹20–₹50, to check for electric current in walls, metal objects, clotheslines, refrigerators, geysers, water taps, etc., before touching them. If the tester light glows, it indicates the presence of live current, and the object should not be touched with bare hands.
When working with electrical equipment in damp or wet areas — inside or outside the house — people should wear rubber or plastic slippers. The public has also been advised to inspect iron pipes, water motors, and pump boxes carefully before contact, especially in wet surroundings.
Safety Is a Shared Responsibility
MSEDCL has reiterated that electrical safety is not just an individual responsibility but a social one. By ensuring proper installation and maintenance of circuit breakers and earthing, citizens protect not only themselves but also their families and the wider community from potential disasters. “This collective responsibility can significantly reduce the risk of electrical accidents,” the utility company stated.
