Flood has taken over most homes in Lagos especially the Lekki – Ajah axis and is recently creeping into Abuja. This is not good news for electrical safety in homes. For those whose house have been severely damaged by flood water recently, here are a few tips for electrical safety.

Get back the Professionals

It is best to neutralize the change over between ‘NEPA’ and Generator so that power is disconnected but this is not enough. Available utility power from your Disco will take power up to the meter in the house. Disconnect your meter so power entirely does not get to the building at all. Get in the professionals after the storm to suck out all the water in your basement. Allow it dry then access the electrical damage to your appliances before turning back power on.

Flood Water and Electricity don’t Mix

Water and electricity don’t mix. The flood probably filled up your basement up to the point where your electrical gadgets are submerged fully or partially. Chances are these gadgets will go bad. Nonetheless take an inventory of all your electrical appliances and cables with the help your your professional. They include but not limited to

Plastic-sheathed building wire.

Armored cable for big Generators most especially.

Circuit panels and circuit breakers

Fuse boxes and fuses

Switched disconnect boxes

Switches

Motors

Circuit boards

Non-submersible pumps

Blowers and fans

Lights

Heaters

Air conditioners

Boilers and water heaters



One may tend to just turn back on most of these appliances after the flood dried up. Some appliances go on to live a post flood life, however it is risky. There is high risk of operation involved using them after the flood. Let a professional advise you to keep or replace them.



Mind the Ground

All electrical home systems ideally have two electrical parts for current conduction. The part that conducts current during normal operation within the electrical appliances loop. This has already been addressed. The other part is the one that carry electrical current to the ground during an abnormal occurrence in electricity. This one is called the grounding and bonding system. They severely get damaged more often by flood water. Let your professional evaluate them and be sure they are still good. He should also check back after some weeks to be sure no metallic material needed for grounding rusted. A rust on them prevents proper grounding of faulty current to earth.


READ MORE

http://talkelectric.ng/2017/07/09/electrical-safety-during-and-after-flood-in-homes/


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Nice tips.

Better than DJ cuppy intervies .......