Residential
Learn how the electrical accessories and wiring function and get some maintenance tips to keep them in good working condition. You can refer to Energy Market Authority (EMA) website for more safety tips under " Safety at home - Electricity Safety".
The CU distributes electricity within your flat. Proper maintenance will ensure safe electricity distribution throughout your home.
The consumer unit (CU) is an electrical distribution panel installed in the flat. It is housed in an enclosure comprising:
One of the double pole MCBs will function as the main switch of the CU. The other double pole MCB will function as the main switch for the Household Shelter (HS) in the flat, where applicable. The maximum current that can be drawn through a CU is limited by the rating shown on the double pole MCB (main switch of the consumer unit).
MCBs are designed to protect against overheating of electrical cables and appliances. In the event of overcurrent due to an overload or short-circuit, the MCB will ‘trip’ to cut the supply to the circuit. A single pole MCB protects a single electrical circuit.
A major component of the CU is the Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB), which is a safety circuit breaker. It automatically cuts off electricity in your flat when it detects an earth current leakage in an electrical circuit. The RCCB has a test button, labelled T. When it is pressed, the RCCB should switch off automatically. If not, the RCCB may be defective. If the RCCB is in working condition, reset the RCCB after testing.
Here are maintenance tips you can follow:
Plugs and socket outlets are common household electrical accessories. Only a licensed electrician can replace socket outlets.
Ensure that the flexible (2-core or 3-core) cable on your appliance is in good condition and is not cut or twisted. There are 3 terminal holes in the plug where the correct core of flexible cable wire should be terminated.
Learn about the common issues you may encounter, why they happen, and how to fix them.
You are advised to replace your flat’s electrical wiring when its lifespan is over or when it is worn out.
Your flat’s electrical wiring has a limited lifespan. The estimated average lifespan of a PVC electrical cable is approximately 25 years.
You are advised to replace the electrical wiring in your flat when its lifespan is over or when its condition has deteriorated. A licensed electrical worker (LEW) will be able to check the conditions of the wirings and advise whether the wiring needs to be replaced.
When carrying out the electrical re-wiring and on completion, your appointed LEW is required to submit an SP Services Ltd (SPSL) form CS/5H endorsed by us to SPSL and apply for testing of the completed works.
Regular maintenance of your ceiling or wall-mounted fan is important to keep them running smoothly.
You should clean your fan at least once a month. Remember to remove the front grille if you are cleaning a wall-mounted fan.
You can quickly remove thin layers of dust by cleaning the fan blades with a vacuum cleaner and brush attachment.
For thicker layers of dust, wipe the top and bottom of each fan blade with a damp cloth. Avoid shaking or bending the fan blades excessively to prevent damage.
Do not use ammonia or bleach-based cleaners or any harsh cleaners to clean the fan, as this may wear away its surface finish and cause warping to the fan blades.
Loose screws can result in noisy or shaky fans.
The screws on the fan may loosen over time due to the fan’s vibrations. Simply tighten any screws with a screwdriver, particularly those on the fan, ceiling plate, and light fixture, if any.
Noise from ceiling or wall-mounted fans can disturb your neighbours, especially low-humming or intermittent sounds.
For most cases, you can resolve the humming noise by lubricating the fan with light machine oil.
If the humming noise persist after lubricating the fan, you may need to consult a reliable fan supplier/ installer to install an insulation pad (such as a fan rubber) to the base of the fan or to repair the fan.
Intermittent noise may be caused by loose fan blades or screws. You can address this by tightening the screws.
If the intermittent noise persist, it could be caused by the deterioration of the rubber holding the fan. You will need to consult a reliable fan supplier/ installer to replace it.
