Introduction
Electrical safety is a critical concern in Singapore, where electrical accidents—including electrocutions and electrical fires—have led to fatalities and significant property damage. Despite strict regulations and advanced infrastructure, incidents continue to highlight gaps in safety compliance and public awareness.
In this article, we examine notable electrical incidents, explore common causes of electrical hazards, and discuss preventative strategies to enhance electrical safety across homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
The Reality of Electrical Accidents in Singapore
Electrocution Incidents: A Preventable Tragedy
Between 2014 and 2021, Singapore recorded four electrocution incidents in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, resulting in five fatalities and one injury. A common factor in these cases was the absence of Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs), essential safety devices that cut off electricity supply upon detecting current leakages, thereby preventing electric shocks. ema.gov.sg
Case Study: December 2020 Electrocution Incident
In December 2020, three family members were tragically electrocuted in their HDB flat due to an improperly installed water heater. Instead of being connected via a double-pole switch, the heater was plugged into a three-pin socket, which failed to provide adequate protection against electric shock.
Key Lesson: Always engage a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) for electrical installations. DIY electrical work can have fatal consequences.
Electrical Fires: A Growing Concern
Electrical fires remain a leading cause of household fires in Singapore.
Electrical Fire Statistics in Singapore:
- 2022: 228 electrical fires recorded in residential buildings, an 18.8% increase from 192 cases in 2021. scdf.gov.sg
Common Causes of Electrical Fires:
- Overloaded electrical circuits
- Use of substandard electrical appliances
- Faulty wiring and improper installationsesfi.org+3repair.sg+3hdb.gov.sg+3
- Aging electrical infrastructure in older HDB flats
Regulations and Safety Measures: What You Need to Know
Singapore has implemented stringent electrical safety regulations to mitigate risks. Here are key measures homeowners and businesses must comply with:
- Compliance with SS 638: 2018
The Electricity (Electrical Installations) Regulations mandate that all electrical installations adhere to Singapore Standard SS 638: 2018, ensuring electrical systems are designed, installed, and maintained safely.
- Mandatory RCCB Installation
- As of July 1, 2023, all residential premises in Singapore are required to have RCCBs installed to enhance electrical safety.
- Grace period until July 1, 2025 for full compliance.
- RCCBs reduce electrocution risks and electrical fires by automatically disconnecting circuits when leakage currents exceed safety thresholds.
- Hiring Licensed Electrical Workers (LEWs)
- Only certified LEWs are authorized to perform electrical installations, repairs, and maintenance work.
- All electrical work must be registered via the e-Licence Information Services (ELISE) portal, ensuring compliance and transparency.
Lessons from Notable Electrical Incidents
Beyond household accidents, large-scale electrical failures can have major economic and operational consequences.
Case Study: SGX Power Outage (November 2014)
On November 5, 2014, a lightning strike caused voltage fluctuations, leading to a major Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) outage:
- Securities market down for 2 hours 42 minutes.
- Derivatives market down for 4 hours 27 minutes.
- Reputation damage to Singapore as a global financial hub.
Key Findings:
- A Diesel Rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply (DRUPS) failure led to the power disruption.
- Design flaws in the Static Transfer Switches (STS) worsened the problem.
- Lack of redundancy testing increased system vulnerability.
Lesson Learned: Regular system maintenance, redundancy planning, and risk assessments are essential to prevent large-scale electrical failures.