TEEAM organised a press conference on electrical safety on 10th September 2011. The items highlighted to the Press are three very important electrical devices. The quality of these devices is very crucial to ensure the safety of the users. Failure of these devices may cause fire, injury or even death. These items are plug tops, portable socket outlets & RCCBs. The Energy Commission – Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST) has categorised these devices under “controlled items”. Manufacturing, importing and/or selling of these devices must first get the approval from ST.

Plug tops (13A & 15A)

• Must comply with MS589-1
• Must be tested by SIRIM or any approved lab by ST
• Must be approved by ST
• Must carry SIRIM sticker
• Line & neutral pins must only be made of brass
  • Most of the sub-standard products are using copper coated aluminum or steel. These materials will not be able to withstand the full load current and will easily be overheated and subsequently burn the socket.
• The plug body must be made of fire retardant material
  • Some of the sub-standard products are using combustible plastic

Extension cords & portable socket outlets

• Must comply with MS589-2
• Must be tested by SIRIM or any approved lab by ST
• Must be approved by ST
• Must carry SIRIM sticker on its plug top & socket outlet
• The cable must be printed with SIRIM or CB scheme approval
• If the plug is rated at 13A & fixed with a 13A fuse, the cable/cord size must be at least 1.25mm2
  • Those unapproved products will normally use smaller cable sizes and will easily be overheated and burn at full load

Residual Current Operated Circuit Breakers (RCCB)

This device is very important in any electrical installation to prevent against fire & electrocution. This is our last defense, should all other protection fail to function RCCB must operate to disconnect the power supply and ensure safety. A 100mA current for one second is enough to kill a person.

• Must comply with MS-IEC61008
• Must be tested by SIRIM or any approved lab by ST
• Must be approved by ST
• Must carry SIRIM sticker
• Installation rules:
  • Rated residual tripping current (sensitivity)
  1. 100mA for general circuit
  2.  30mA for socket outlets
  3. 10mA for any water feature (eg. water heater)

Guide & recommendations:

i. Check the sensitivity rating. Please change immediately should it be of 300mA (this is illegal for domestic installation)

ii. Press the test button. Please change immediately should it fail to trip. Recommended to test monthly or at least 4 times a year.

iii.If you have installed a water heater, please install another RCCB with 10mA sensitivity.

iv. You may install a split or double RCCB system for lightings and sockets for better protection. A 100mA for lightings and 30mA for sockets.

The price guide for RCCD is as follows:

i) 10mA, 16A, 1 phase between RM120 to RM150

ii) 30mA , 63A, 1 phase between RM100 to RM130

iii) 100mA, 63A, 1 phase between RM70 to RM90