Preventing Disasters
The following statistics for domestic fires caused by electrical failures in New Zealand are taken from the Emergency Incidents Statistics Book, found on the web site of the NZ Fire Service.| 2003/2004 | 2002/2003 | 2001/2002 | 2000/2001 | 1999/2000 | |
Heating Systems |
|||||
| Central Heating Unit | 52 | 58 | 66 | 57 | 47 |
| Water Heater | 61 | 57 | 69 | 38 | 28 |
| Heater Unit (Stationary) | 146 | 124 | 132 | 72 | 26 |
| Heater Unit (Portable) | 69 | 88 | 101 | 53 | 41 |
Heating Systems Total: |
328 | 327 | 368 | 220 | 142 |
Cooking Equipment |
|||||
| Stove/Cook Top Unit/Range Top | 695 | 833 | 845 | 376 | 192 |
| Oven (Fixed & Stationary) | 218 | 254 | 241 | 179 | 202 |
| Food Warming Appliance (Fixed) | 8 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| Food Warming Appliance (Portable) | 78 | 90 | 71 | 49 | 56 |
| Deep Fat Fryer | 34 | 59 | 50 | 24 | 39 |
| Barbacue/Open Fire Grill | 15 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| Kitchen Appliance: Food processing | 2 | 1 | 4 | - | - |
Cooking Equipment Total: |
1050 | 1261 | 1227 | 639 | 506 |
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Equipment |
|||||
| Air Conditioning Unit | 38 | 35 | 24 | 11 | 15 |
| Refrigeration Unit | 27 | 46 | 50 | 32 | 13 |
Air conditioning & Refrigeration Total: |
65 | 81 | 74 | 43 | 28 |
Electrical Distribution Equipment |
|||||
| Transformers (& associated equipment) | 41 | 37 | 37 | 16 | 14 |
| Meter/Meter box | 71 | 60 | 56 | 33 | 7 |
| Power Switch Gear/Over Current Protection | 107 | 109 | 65 | 42 | 44 |
| Switch/Socket | 58 | 56 | 52 | 18 | 18 |
| Lighting Fixture/Lamp/Bulb | 247 | 214 | 196 | 98 | 95 |
| Cord/Plug | 28 | 33 | 36 | 13 | 12 |
Electrical Distribution Total: |
552 | 518 | 442 | 220 | 190 |
Appliances/Electrical Equipment |
|||||
| Television/Radio/Music System | 33 | 36 | 57 | 38 | 36 |
| Dryer | 59 | 72 | 89 | 47 | 53 |
| Washing Machine | 60 | 59 | 60 | 50 | 60 |
| Floorcare Equipment | 14 | 7 | 16 | 9 | 3 |
| Motor/Generator | 34 | 32 | 37 | 19 | 18 |
| Heat Appliances (Portable Controlled) | 82 | 73 | 73 | 54 | 42 |
| Portable Appliance (Clocks, Fans, Radios) | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
Appliances/Electrical Equipment Total: |
289 | 283 | 338 | 220 | 215 |
Specialist Equipment |
|||||
| Electronic | 18 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 6 |
| Vending Machines | 4 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Electronic Office | 9 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 |
| Vehicle Part/Pump/Compressor | 22 | 26 | 28 | 20 | 17 |
| Conveyor/Escalator | 13 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Press | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Specialised Equipment Total: |
68 | 79 | 79 | 54 | 48 |
| Download this table as a PDF file | |||||
Old houses have almost always been at least partially rewired. This was such a house, with a modern switchboard.
Unfortunately, when an old house is rewired, it is usually done piecemeal; and some sections may never get done.
The original lighting wiring contained in the steel conduit pipes found in the ceilings of almost all bungalows and villas is tinned copper, insulated with rubber and covered with cloth. This wiring is seldom still safe. The cloth disintegrates, the rubber perishes over the years, and the copper has become fatigued.
Unfortunately, it is still common for building surveyors to find new wiring connected into the old conduits at junctions.
Some of the older power circuit wiring is also now becoming dangerous, with similar problems. Around about the period 1935 to 1955 TRS (Tough Rubber Sheath) was used. This is the black coloured power cable electricians are particularly wary of. It wasn't until the late 50's / early 60's that the modern TPS (Tough Plastic Sheath) wiring became common place. A building surveyor will observe the type and condition of the wiring and fixtures, and if in any doubt, will recommend the wiring is upgraded by a certified electrician.
Fully registered Electricians are currently "self-regulating" in this country, that is, they certify their own work. This has some interesting results.
If you engage an electrician to install a new powerpoint, for instance, he will issue you with a Certificate of Compliance upon completion - for that work only. For any number of reasons, he may not inspect the rest of the wiring in the house. In an older house, if he touches the existing fuseboard, he may be obliged to upgrade it. But the owners, unwilling to pay for this expense, may encourage him to find an alternative, resulting in his looping the powerpoint into an existing circuit, rather than running a new cable back to the switchboard.
This is obeying the letter of the law, rather than the spirit, and it certainly does happen. That is why it is so important to obtain a Certificate of Compliance for all the electrical work in your (older) house; as this will only be issued after the electrician has thoroughly checked every circuit and outlet. If you live in an older house, this certificate may enable you to negotiate a reduction in your insurance premium. Ensure you are employing a Registered Electrician, and make sure the Certificate covers the whole house.