Report of the Survey on Residual Current Devices at Homes

Report of the Survey on Residual Current Devices at Homes

and non-Fatal Accidents

In the

Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Galle, Jaffna Areas of the Ceylon

Electricity Board and Galle Branch Managers Area of the Lanka

Electric Company (PVT) LTD.

2015

Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka

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Acknowledgement

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) take this opportunity to express its

profound gratitude and deep regards to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Lanka Electric

Company (PVT) LTD in providing all requested information about the availability, operability,

tested at least once in two months and statistics on non-fatal electrical accidents and their

severity with respect to the electricity consumption blocks and Consumer Service Center

(CSCs) wise. This survey was carried out in the Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Galle, and Jaffna

Areas of the Ceylon Electricity Board and Galle Branch Managers Area of the Lanka Electric

Company (PVT) LTD. The motivation and influence of relevant officers for the completion of

this survey is a big step in uplifting the home electrical safety in the Island.

We also take this opportunity to express a deep sense of gratitude specially to Mr. MC

Wickramasekera, General Manager, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB); Mr. HN Gunasekera,

General Manager, Lanka Electric Company (PVT) LTD; Additional General Manager (Corporate

Strategy & Regulatory Affairs); Additional General Managers of the Regions 1, 3 and 4; Deputy

General Managers of the Central Province, North Central, Southern Province, North and CS &

RA; Chief Area Engineers of the Nuwara Eliya, Jaffna, Anuradhapura and Galle of the CEB and

Branch Manager (LECO) of the Galle and Chief Engineer (CS & RA).

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Contents

1 Executive Summary………………………………………………………………..............................................

2 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3 Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….......

4 Results………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4.1 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Anuradhapura Chief Engineer’s Area……….

4.1.1 Anuradhapura Chief Engineer’s Area………………………………………………………………

4.2 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Nuwara Eliya Chief Engineer’s Area….……….

4.2.1 Nuwara Eliya Chief Engineer’s Area………………………………………………………………20

4.3 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Galle (CEB) Chief Engineer’s Area………………21

4.3.1 Galle (CEB) Chief Engineer’s Area………………………………………………………………..2.6

4.4 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Galle (LECO) Branch Manager’s Area………….27

4.4.1 Galle (LECO) Branch Manager’s Area…………………………………………………………….31

4.5 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of Jaffna Chief Engineer’s Area……………………………..32

4.5.1 Jaffna Chief Engineer’s Area…………………………………………………………………………

4.6 All four CEB Chief Engineer’s Areas and Galle LECO Branch Managers Area…………….

5 Observations & Findings…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

6 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6.1 Electrical Workers……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

6.2 Licensees…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

6.3 Occupants of the dwellings………………………………………………………………………………………..

7 Future works………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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1.0 Executive Summary

Analysis of data on electrocutions for the period from 2008 to 2012 reveal that on average of 180 electrocutions take place for an annum and highest number of electrocutions has been recorded in the Katugasthota Police Area. Among them about 36% of the electrocutions were due to non-availability or non-operability of Residual Current Devices (RCDs) in domestic dwellings.

In this context, the Commission conducted a pilot survey in the Katugasthota Area of the

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and found that only about half of the consumers are equipped

with RCDs.

This is an alarming situation as RCDs are used to provide protection against the specific

dangers that may arise in electrical installation including protection against indirect contact,

supplementary protection against direct contact and protection against fire and thermal

effects.

Hence, a comprehensive survey was conducted to check household safety in five licensee

areas namely Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Galle, Jaffna Areas of the Ceylon Electricity Board

and Galle Branch Managers Area of the Lanka Electric Company (PVT) LTD. The survey was

based on the statistical samples obtained from domestic electricity consumers of Consumer

Service Centers (CSCs) of five licensee areas based on the electricity consumption.

Procedure adopted:

Take number of accounts and account details such as account number, consumer name and address pertaining to electricity accounts in CSCs of the area

Obtain average consumption for last three months (last month consumption if the average consumption is not available)

Divide the consumer accounts of CSCs of the area in to different segments based on electricity consumption (e.g. 0 - 30; 31 - 60; 61 - 90; 91 - 120; 121 - 180; 181 and above

Calculate the number of consumer accounts in each segment based on electricity consumption

The sample size for the survey was taken as 1000 electricity consumers randomly selected

from the total number of electricity consumers in each of the CSC based on electricity

consumption.

The survey showed that:

Availability of RCDs in domestic dwellings is about 90%.

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Operability of RCDs are around 86%

RCDs are with correct sensitivity is around 86%

Only about 52% of the RCDs are tested in every two months intervals.

The findings from the survey could be used as input to the safety strategy of the PUCSL, CEB

and Lanka Electricity Company (Pvt) Ltd (LECO) in planning of future campaigns and efforts to

initiate the following initiatives:

Improve consumer awareness:

o about benefits of having RCDs in domestic installations

o about proper maintenance and testing of RCDs

o focusing on the necessity in testing the RCDs regularly, for example once in two

months immaterial on the energy consumption range

o promote widespread use of RCDs at homes since there are no inherent

reliability problems with RCDs.

Future works:

o Finding out of the average failure rate of RCDs o Finding out of the falling of average failure rate by means of regular operation

of the integral test button o Finding out what factors causing increasing of average failure rate of

electromechanical RCDs o Determine the superiority of Electronic and electromechanical RCDs as far as

failure rate are concern o Carry out situ testing of a range of 30mA RCDs installed in domestic premises o Determine overall reliability rate of RCDs by analyzing the test results obtained

from examination of the failed RCDs.

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2.0 Introduction

As the independent regulator for the electricity sector of Sri Lanka and as authorized by Sri

Lanka Electricity Act no 20 of 2009, ensuring the safety of the public is a major objective of

the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). Hence the commission is implementing

various programs to reduce and mitigate electrocutions in the country.

The commission has set forth this objective through its deliverables for the years 2012 and

2013 by giving high priority to address the above concern. The commission had already

conducted investigations on electrocutions during the last few years and more facts and

information in this regard had to be collected for an effective analysis.

Since most of the electrocutions are not reported to the licensee, it was identified that most

effective means of collecting information is through the department of police. Accordingly,

the department of police handed over the information on 593 electrocutions occurred during

the period from 2008 to 2012.

Analysis of the data on these electrocutions reveal that on average of 180 electrocutions take

place for an annum and highest number of electrocutions has been recorded in the

Katugasthota Police Area. Among them about 36% of the electrocutions were due to non-

availability or non-operability of Residual Current Devices (RCDs) in domestic dwellings.

In this context, the Commission conducted a pilot survey in the Katugasthota Area of the

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). The findings of the survey are as follows:

Availability of RCDs does not have any relationship with the income level of the

consumers.

Only about half of the consumers are equipped with RCDs.

The consumers those who are falling into the energy segment of 180 and above are

not very much concerned about operability of the RCDs. However, they are somewhat

better than other consumers in testing their RCDs.

This is an alarming situation as RCDs are used to provide protection against the specific

dangers that may arise in electrical installation including protection against indirect contact,

supplementary protection against direct contact and protection against fire and thermal

effects.

Hence, a comprehensive survey was conducted to check household safety in five licensee

areas namely Colombo North, Galle (both CEB & LECO), Jaffna, Nuwara Eliya and

Anuradhapura.

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The survey result of the Colombo North is imminent in time and to be given soon whereas

results submitted from rest of the areas have been formulated to produce the report.

3.0 Methodology

The survey was based on the statistical samples obtained from domestic electricity

consumers of Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of five licensee areas based on the electricity

consumption. The five licensee areas were Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Galle, and Jaffna

Areas of the Ceylon Electricity Board and Galle Branch Managers Area of the Lanka Electric

Company (PVT) LTD.

3.1 Data collected:

3.1.1 Availability of RCD and its relationship with the electricity consumption blocks

3.1.2 Operability of the RCD

3.1.3 Is the trip switch tested at least once in two months

3.1.4 Is there were any non-fatal electrical accidents

3.2 Procedure adopted:

3.2.1 Take number of accounts and account details such as account number, consumer name and address pertaining to electricity accounts in CSCs of the area

3.2.2 Obtain average consumption for last three months (last month consumption if

the average consumption is not available)

3.2.3 Divide the consumer accounts of CSCs of the area in to different segments based on electricity consumption (e.g. 0 - 30; 31 - 60; 61 - 90; 91 - 120; 121 - 180; 181 and above

3.2.4 Calculate the number of consumer accounts in each segment based on electricity consumption

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3.3 Samples distribution & Size:

Area Consumer Service Center(CSC)

No. of Consumers

Sample size/CSC

% of sample size/CSC

Sample size/Area

% of sample size/Area

Colombo North

Colombo 13&14 23,720 1005 4.2 2010 4.2

Colombo 15 23,920 1005 4.2

Galle(LECO) Galle 30,937 1000 3.2 3000 4.1

Hikkaduwa 18,430 1000 5.4

Amblangoda 23,945 1000 4.2

Galle (CEB) Bataduwa 27,927 1000 3.6 4000 4.3

Habaraduwa 24,755 1000 4.0

Thawalama 17,799 1000 5.6

Galle 22,524 1000 4.4

Nuwara Eliya Lindula 22,998 1000 4.3 5000 4.2

Nuwara Eliya 25,237 1000 4.0

Rikillagaskada 28,452 1000 3.5

Thawalantenna 20,416 1000 4.9

Walapane 22,805 1000 4.4

Jaffna Chawakachcheri 16,530 1000 6.0 7000 5.2

Chunnakam 30,430 1000 3.3

Jaffna City 21,496 1000 4.7

Jaffna Suburb 17,612 1000 5.7

Point Pedro 25,064 1000 4.0

Vaddukodai 18,337 1000 5.5

Velanai 5,738 1000 17.4

Anuradhapura Mihinthale 34,897 1000 2.9 3000 2.6

Nochchiyagama 28,380 1000 3.5

Anuradhapura 51,756 1000 2.0

3.4 Execution of the work:

3.4.1 Hand over the account numbers of samples to the Chief Engineers of the Colombo North, Galle, Jaffna, Nuwara Eliya and Anuradhapura Areas of the CEB and Branch Manager of the LECO

3.4.2 Carry out the survey by meter readers of the respective CEB Areas and LECO Galle Branch Managers Area

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4.0 Results

4.1 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Anuradhapura Chief Engineer’s Area.

Consumer Service Center (CSC)

Segment of the electricity consumption

Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity

Any non-fatal accidents

Injured

Admitted to hospital

Anuradhapura CSC

0 - 30 128 80 74 73 74 80 64 64

31 - 60 160 125 123 121 121 121 92 92

61 - 90 118 81 81 80 79 78 57 57

91 - 120 41 29 29 29 27 29 16 16

121 - 180 25 16 16 15 15 15 11 11

181 - Above

11 10 10 10 10 10 8 8

Sub Total 483 341 333 328 326 333 248 248

Mihintale

0 - 30 158 139 132 132 131 103 66 65

31 - 60 186 174 168 170 170 129 94 93

61 - 90 104 96 93 94 92 73 56 56

91 - 120 24 23 22 22 22 19 15 15

121 - 180 6 6 6 6 6 5 2 2

181 - Above

8 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Sub Total 486 444 427 430 427 335 239 237

Nochchiyagama

0 - 30 149 96 91 90 90 0 0 0

31 - 60 183 134 131 130 130 0 0 0

61 - 90 86 61 61 60 60 0 0 0

91 - 120 25 16 16 16 16 0 0 0

121 - 180 7 6 6 6 6 0 0 0

181 - Above

11 8 8 8 8 0 0 0

Sub Total 461 321 313 310 310 0 0 0

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Findings & comments:

1. The 90% of consumers in the 181-above category are having RCDs and they are in

operable conditions, correct sensitivity and tested in every two months intervals.

2. The 60 % to 70% of consumers falling into remaining energy consuming categories are

having RCDs and they are in operable conditions, correct sensitivity and tested in

every two months intervals.

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1. Only about 75% of consumers in the 181-above category are having RCDs and they are

in operable conditions, correct sensitivity and tested in every two months intervals.

This is a wonderful situation and necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer

awareness of having RCDs.

2. The 100% of consumers in the 121-180 category are having RCDs and they are in


3. About 90% of consumers falling into remaining energy consuming categories are



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This is a wonderful situation and necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer

awareness of having RCDs.

2. The 85% of consumers in the 121-180 category are having RCDs and they are in


3. The 60% to 70% of consumers falling into remaining energy consuming categories are



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4.1.1 Anuradhapura Chief Engineer’s Area.

Chief Engineer’s Area.


Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Anuradhapura Chief Engineer’s Area.

0 - 30 435 315 297 295 295 183 130 129

31 - 60 529 433 422 421 421 250 186 185

61 - 90 308 238 235 234 231 151 113 113

91 - 120 90 68 67 67 65 48 31 31

121 - 180 38 28 28 27 27 20 13 13

181 - Above

30 24 24 24 24 16 14 14

GRAND TOTAL

1430 1106 1073 1068 1063 668 487 485

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1. Only about 90% of consumers in the Mihintale CSC are having RCDs and they are in


2. About 70% of consumers in the Anuradhpura and Nochchiyagama CSCs are having

RCDs and they are in operable conditions, correct sensitivity and tested in every two

months intervals. Hence, necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness

of having RCDs.

4.2 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Nuwara Eliya Chief Engineer’s Area.



Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Walapana

0 - 30 360 273 272 272 272 0 0 0

31 - 60 443 353 351 349 351 0 0 0

61 - 90 145 123 122 122 122 0 0 0

91 - 120 26 25 25 25 25 0 0 0

121 - 180 11 10 10 10 10 0 0 0

181 - Above

14 14 14 14 14 0 0 0

Sub Total 999 798 794 792 794 0 0 0

Lindula 0 - 30 336 325 321 318 323 7 0 0

31 - 60 418 414 414 408 414 13 0 0

61 - 90 167 164 162 164 164 4 0 0

91 - 120 40 39 37 37 37 2 0 0

121 - 180 19 19 18 18 18 0 0 0

181 - Above

20 17 17 17 17 1 0 0

Sub Total 1000 978 969 962 973 27 0 0

Nuwara Eliya

0 - 30 216 202 194 171 191 9 9 2

31 - 60 369 365 362 347 363 0 0 0

61 - 90 233 230 229 229 229 0 0 0

91 - 120 85 80 79 79 79 0 0 0

121 - 180 50 48 47 47 47 0 0 0

181 - 46 46 46 46 46 0 0 0

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Above

Sub Total 999 971 957 919 955 9 9 2

Rikillagaskada

0 - 30 424 420 418 415 419 0 0 0

31 - 60 423 421 420 415 420 0 0 0

61 - 90 104 97 96 74 96 0 0 0

91 - 120 28 28 28 28 28 0 0 0

121 - 180 12 12 12 12 12 0 0 0

181 - Above

7 7 7 7 7 0 0 0

Sub Total 998 985 981 951 982 0 0 0

Thawalantenna

0 - 30 299 288 251 254 255 0 0 0

31 - 60 461 451 448 450 450 0 0 0

61 - 90 176 175 175 175 174 0 0 0

91 - 120 39 37 37 36 18 0 0 0

121 - 180 9 9 9 9 9 0 0 0

181 - Above

16 16 16 16 16 0 0 0

Sub Total 1000 976 936 940 922 0 0 0

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1. 100% of consumers in the 181-above category are having RCDs and they are in


2. The 90% to 95% of consumers in the 91-120 and 121-180 categories are having RCDs

and they are in operable conditions, correct sensitivity and tested in every two months

intervals.

3. The 75% to 85% of consumers falling into remaining energy consuming categories are






2. About 100% of consumers in the 121-180 category is having RCDs but only about 95%

are in operable conditions, correct sensitivity and tested in every two months

intervals.

3. About 97% of consumers in the 31-60 and 61-90 categories are having RCDs and they


intervals.

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4. About 95% of consumers in the 0-30 category are having RCDs and they are in





2. About 98% of consumers in the 31-60 and 61-90 categories are having RCDs and they


intervals.

3. About 92% of consumers falling into remaining energy consuming categories except 0-

30 category are having RCDs and they are in operable conditions, correct sensitivity

and tested in every two months intervals.


operable conditions, correct sensitivity but only 80% have tested in every two months

intervals.

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1. About 100% of consumers in all categories except 61-90 categories are having RCDs


intervals.

2. About 90% of consumers in the 61-90 category is having RCDs and they are in

operable conditions, correct sensitivity but only 70% have tested in every two months

intervals and hence, necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness of

the benefits of having and regular testing of RCDs.

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1. About 100% of consumers in all categories except 0-30 and 91-120 categories are




operable conditions, correct sensitivity and tested in every two months intervals


operable conditions, and tested in every two months intervals but only 45% are with

correct sensitivity.

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4.2.1 Nuwara Eliya Chief Engineer’s Area.



Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Nuwara Eliya Chief Engineer’s Area.

0 - 30 1635 1508 1456 1430 1460 16 9 2

31 - 60 2114 2004 1995 1969 1998 13 0 0

61 - 90 825 789 784 764 785 4 0 0

91 - 120 218 209 206 205 187 2 0 0

121 - 180 101 98 96 96 96 0 0 0

181 - Above

103 100 100 100 100 1 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

4996 4708 4637 4564 4626 36 9 2

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1. About 95% of consumers in all CSC areas except Walapana are having RCDs and they


intervals.

2. About 80% of consumers in the Walapana CSC are having RCDs and they are in


Hence, necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness of having RCDs.

4.3 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Galle (CEB) Chief Engineer’s Area.



Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Bataduwa

0 - 30 79 74 66 50 59 0 0 0

31 - 60 145 132 123 110 113 0 0 0

61 - 90 108 99 95 85 91 0 0 0

91 - 120 30 26 25 21 23 0 0 0

121 - 180 11 10 8 9 10 0 0 0

181 - Above

3 3 3 2 3 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

376 344 320 277 299 0 0 0

Galle

0 - 30 65 54 49 41 46 0 0 0

31 - 60 159 138 130 117 121 0 0 0

61 - 90 109 102 100 93 94 0 0 0

91 - 120 52 50 49 46 48 0 0 0

121 - 180 13 12 11 11 11 0 0 0

181 - Above

6 6 6 5 6 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

404 362 345 313 326 0 0 0

Habaraduwa

0 - 30 99 90 83 76 74 0 0 0

31 - 60 150 144 139 127 128 0 0 0

61 - 90 103 99 96 92 91 0 0 0

91 - 120 44 42 40 37 38 0 0 0

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121 - 180 11 10 10 10 8 0 0 0

181 - Above

2 1 1 2 2 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

409 386 369 344 341 0 0 0

Thawalama

0 - 30 123 102 93 85 84 0 0 0

31 - 60 165 153 142 133 136 0 0 0

61 - 90 66 63 55 52 53 0 0 0

91 - 120 5 5 5 3 5 0 0 0

121 - 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

181 - Above

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

359 323 295 273 278 0 0 0

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1. About 100% of consumers in all categories except 0-30 and 91-120 categories are



2. About 95% of consumers in the 0-30 category are having RCDs but only about 85% are


3. About 92% consumers in the 91-120 category are having RCDs and in operable

conditions, and tested in every two months intervals but only 45% are with correct

sensitivity.



operable conditions, correct sensitivity but about 82% are tested in every two months

intervals.

2. About 90% of consumers in the 61-90, 91-120 and 121-180 categories are having RCDs


intervals.

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3. About 82% of consumers in the 0-30 energy consuming categories are having RCDs but

their operability, correct sensitivity are around 70%. Also, only 62% have tested in


4. About 85% of consumers in the 31-60 category are having RCDs but their operability,

correct sensitivity and testing in every 2 months are around 75%.




2. About 90% of consumers in the remaining categories except 121-180 are having RCDs

but correct sensitivity and testing in every two months intervals.

3. Only about 90% of consumers in the 121-180 category are having RCDs and with

operable conditions, and tested in every two months intervals but correct sensitivity is

around 70%.

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1. No consumers in the 121-180 and 181-above categories.

2. 100% of consumers in the 91-120 category are having RCDs and they are in operable

conditions, correct sensitivity but only 60% are tested in every two months intervals.

3. About 92% of consumers in the 31-60 and 61-90 categories are having RCDs but

operability, testing and correct sensitivity are about 80%.

4. Only about 80% of consumers in the 0-30 category are having RCDs with correct

sensitivity and operability but testing and correct sensitivity are about 70%.

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4.3.1 Galle (CEB) Chief Engineer’s Area.



Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Galle (CEB) Chief Engineer’s Area.

0 - 30 366 320 291 252 263 0 0 0

31 - 60 619 567 534 487 498 0 0 0

61 - 90 386 363 346 322 329 0 0 0

91 - 120 131 123 119 107 114 0 0 0

121 - 180 35 32 29 30 29 0 0 0

181 - Above

11 10 10 9 11 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

1548 1415 1329 1207 1244 0 0 0


1. About 90% of consumers in all CSC areas are having RCDs and only 85% are in

operable conditions.

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2. About 80% of consumers are having RCDs with correct sensitivity but testing in every

two months intervals is around 75%.

4.4 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of the Galle (LECO) Branch Manager’s Area.



Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Ambalangoda

0 - 30 125 79 74 73 72 53 17 17

31 - 60 212 183 176 174 173 143 65 65

61 - 90 301 270 262 261 259 222 88 88

91 - 120 219 198 196 197 196 164 67 67

121 - 180 115 111 109 109 109 87 26 26

181 - Above

25 25 24 24 24 17 6 6

GRAND TOTAL

997 866 841 838 833 686 269 269

Galle 0 - 30 109 95 88 85 84 73 8 8

31 - 60 180 172 160 157 152 138 19 18

61 - 90 285 285 263 256 257 228 35 34

91 - 120 208 205 199 189 194 163 16 14

121 - 180 148 148 145 136 138 109 18 17

181 - Above

65 64 64 59 63 48 7 6

GRAND TOTAL

995 969 919 882 888 759 103 97

Hikkaduwa

0 - 30 149 113 103 104 98 105 23 23

31 - 60 226 209 199 198 187 198 29 29

61 - 90 286 269 263 261 245 266 41 39

91 - 120 198 189 188 185 171 186 43 42

121 - 180 94 87 86 85 83 82 13 13

181 - Above

28 27 24 24 25 26 4 4

GRAND TOTAL

981 894 863 857 809 863 153 150

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1. 100% of consumers in the 181-above category are having RCDs and their operability

correct sensitivity and testing in every two months intervals are around 95%.

2. About 95% of consumers in the 121-180 categories are having RCDs and their

operability, testing and correct sensitivity are also about 95%.

3. Only about 90% of consumers in the 91-120 category are having RCDs with correct

sensitivity, operability, and testing.

4. Only about 90% of consumers in the 61-90 category are having RCDs but correct

sensitivity, operability, and testing are around 85%.

5. Only about 85% of consumers in the 31-60 category are having RCDs but correct


6. Only about 62% of consumers in the 0-30 category are having RCDs and their

operability correct sensitivity and testing in every two months intervals are around

60%.

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1. About 100% of consumers except in the 0-30 and 31-60 categories are having RCDs

and their operability correct sensitivity and testing in every two months intervals are

around 90%.

2. About 95% of consumers in the 31-60 category is having RCDs and their operability,

testing and correct sensitivity are also about 85%.

3. Only about 85% of consumers in the 0-30 category are having RCDs but their correct


4. Necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness of the benefits of having,

regular testing and selecting correct RCDs especially among low energy consuming

consumers.

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Findings & Comments:

1. About 93% of consumers except in the 0-30 category are having RCDs but their

operability correct sensitivity and testing in every two months intervals are around

90%.

2. About 75% of consumers in the 0-30 category is having RCDs and their operability,

testing and correct sensitivity are also about 68%.

3. Necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness of the benefits of having,

regular testing and selecting correct RCDs especially among low energy consuming

consumers.

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4.4.1 Galle (LECO) Branch Manager’s Area.

Branch Manager’s Area.


Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Galle (LECO) Branch Manager’s Area.

0 - 30 383 287 265 262 254 231 48 48

31 - 60 618 564 535 529 512 479 113 112

61 - 90 872 824 788 778 761 716 164 161

91 - 120 625 562 583 571 561 513 126 123

121 - 180 357 346 340 330 330 278 57 56

181 - Above

118 116 112 107 112 91 17 16

GRAND TOTAL

2973 2729 2623 2577 2530 2308 525 516

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1. About 98% of consumers in the Galle CSC area are having RCDs and only about 90%

are operable and with correct sensitivity and testing in every two months intervals.

2. About 85% of consumers in the Hikkaduwa & Ambalangoda CSCs are having RCDs

with correct sensitivity and testing in every two months intervals.

4.5 Consumer Service Centers (CSCs) of Jaffna Chief Engineer’s Area.



Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Chavakachcheri

0 - 30 267 262 257 0 261 0 0 0

31 - 60 401 381 370 0 383 0 0 0

61 - 90 201 195 189 0 197 0 0 0

91 - 120 87 86 85 0 87 0 0 0

121 - 180 26 25 25 0 26 0 0 0

181 - Above

7 6 6 0 6 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

989 955 932 0 960 0 0 0

Chunnakam

0 - 30 181 165 146 0 151 0 0 0

31 - 60 388 356 318 0 329 0 0 0

61 - 90 252 229 210 0 215 0 0 0

91 - 120 96 87 76 0 81 0 0 0

121 - 180 44 41 38 0 40 0 0 0

181 - Above

13 10 10 0 13 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

974 888 798 0 829 0 0 0

Jaffna City

0 - 30 148 117 115 0 117 0 0 0

31 - 60 251 217 209 0 216 0 0 0

61 - 90 265 240 229 0 237 0 0 0

91 - 120 175 148 142 0 148 0 0 0

121 - 180 122 102 96 0 99 0 0 0

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181 - Above

37 34 32 0 33 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

998 858 823 0 850 0 0 0

Jaffna Surberb

0 - 30 138 122 117 0 119 0 0 0

31 - 60 359 290 267 0 289 0 0 0

61 - 90 283 253 235 0 251 0 0 0

91 - 120 136 119 102 0 119 0 0 0

121 - 180 67 62 60 0 62 0 0 0

181 - Above

13 11 11 0 11 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

996 857 792 0 851 0 0 0

Vaddukodai

0 - 30 282 228 220 0 202 0 0 0

31 - 60 417 373 352 0 364 0 0 0

61 - 90 181 162 161 0 160 0 0 0

91 - 120 78 65 65 0 63 0 0 0

121 - 180 34 32 31 0 32 0 0 0

181 - Above

8 7 7 0 6 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

1000 867 836 0 827 0 0 0

Point Pedro

0 - 30 227 190 183 0 188 0 0 0

31 - 60 399 364 352 0 363 0 0 0

61 - 90 235 199 181 0 199 0 0 0

91 - 120 88 77 74 0 77 0 0 0

121 - 180 45 39 38 0 39 0 0 0

181 - Above

6 5 5 0 5 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

1000 874 833 0 871 0 0 0

Velani 0 - 30 356 317 295 0 316 0 0 0

31 - 60 450 411 389 0 410 0 0 0

61 - 90 134 118 110 0 118 0 0 0

91 - 120 45 39 37 0 39 0 0 0

121 - 180 11 9 9 0 9 0 0 0

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181 - Above

4 4 4 0 4 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

1000 898 844 0 896 0 0 0



in operable conditions, correct sensitivity but not tested in every two months. This is a

wonderful situation and necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness

of having and testing of RCDs.

2. The 95% of consumers in the remaining categories are having RCDs and they are in

operable conditions, correct sensitivity bur not tested in every two months.

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1. Only about 75% of consumers in the 181-above category are having RCDs and are in

operable conditions, correct sensitivity but not tested in every two months. This is a

wonderful situation and necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness

of having and testing of RCDs.

2. The 90% of consumers in the remaining categories are having RCDs and 80% are in


3. Necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness of the benefits of having

and regular testing of RCDs in domestic installations.

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1. Only about 90% of consumers in the 61-90 and 181-above category are having RCDs

and about 85% are in operable conditions, correct sensitivity but not tested in every

two months. This is an alarming situation and necessary steps to be taken to improve

consumer awareness of having and testing of RCDs.





37 | P a g e


1. Only about 85% of consumers in the181-above category are having RCDs and all of

them are in operable conditions and correct sensitivity but not tested in every two

months. This is an alarming situation and necessary steps to be taken to improve


2. Only about 80% of consumers in the 31-60 category are having RCDs and about 75%

are in operable conditions. The correct sensitivity is about 80% but not tested in every

two months.





38 | P a g e


1. Only about 85% of consumers in the181-above category are having RCDs and all of

them are in operable conditions. The correct sensitivity is about 75% but not tested in

every two months. This is an alarming situation and necessary steps to be taken to

improve consumer awareness of having and testing of RCDs.

2. Only about 80% of consumers in the 91-120 category are having RCDs and in operable

conditions & with correct sensitivity but not tested in every two months.

3. Only about 80% of consumers in the 0-30 category are having RCDs and about 75% are

in operable conditions. The correct sensitivity is about 70% but not tested in every two

months.


operable conditions, correct sensitivity but not tested in every two months.



39 | P a g e


1. Only about 85% of consumers in all consumer categories except 0-30 are having RCDs

and they are in operable and with correct sensitivity but not tested in every two

months. This is an alarming situation and necessary steps to be taken to improve


2. Only about 80% of consumers in the 0-30 category are having RCDs and in operable

conditions & with correct sensitivity but not tested in every two months.



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1. About 100% of consumers in the181-above category are having RCDs and all of them

are in operable conditions and with correct sensitivity but not tested in every two

months. Therefore, necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness of

having and testing of RCDs.

2. Only about 80% of consumers in the 121-180 category are having RCDs and in

operable conditions & with correct sensitivity but not tested in every two months.


operable conditions, correct sensitivity but not tested in every two months.



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4.5.1 Jaffna Chief Engineer’s Area.



Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Jaffna (CEB) Chief Engineer’s Area.

0 - 30 1599 1401 1333 0 1354 0 0 0

31 - 60 2665 2392 2257 0 2354 0 0 0

61 - 90 1551 1396 1315 0 1377 0 0 0

91 - 120 705 621 581 0 614 0 0 0

121 - 180 349 310 297 0 307 0 0 0

181 - Above

88 77 75 0 78 0 0 0

GRAND TOTAL

6957 6197 5858 0 6084 0 0 0

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1. About 95% of consumers in the Chavakachcheri CSC area is having RCDs and is

operable and with correct sensitivity but not tested in every two months intervals.

2. About 85% of consumers in the remaining CSCs are having RCDs with correct

sensitivity but not tested in every two months intervals.

3. Necessary steps to be taken to improve consumer awareness of having and testing of

RCDs.

4.6 All four CEB Chief Engineer’s Areas and Galle LECO Branch Managers Area



Sample size

Availability

Operability

Tested in 2 months

Sensitivity


Injured


Galle (both CEB & LECO), Jaffna, Nuwara Eliya and Anuradhapura.

0 - 30 4418 3831 3642 2239 3626 430 187 179

31 - 60 6545 5960 5743 3406 5783 742 299 297

61 - 90 3942 3610 3468 2098 3483 871 277 274

91 - 120 1769 1613 1556 950 1541 563 157 154

121 - 180 880 814 790 483 789 298 70 69

181 - Above

350 327 321 240 325 108 31 30

GRAND TOTAL

17,904

16,155 15,520 9,416 15,547 3,012 1,021

1,003

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1. About 78% of consumers in the Chief Engineers Area of the Anuradhapura are having

RCDs. The operability, correct sensitivity and testing in every two months intervals is

around 73%.

2. About 90% of consumers in the Chief Engineers Area of the Nuwara Eliya are having

RCDs with correct sensitivity. They are in operable conditions, and tested in every two

months intervals.

3. About 90% of consumers in the Chief Engineers Area of the Galle (CEB) are having

RCDs. Their operability is around 85% and correct sensitivity is around 80% and tested

only about 78% in every two months intervals.

4. About 90% of consumers in the Branch Managers Division of the Galle (LECO) are

having RCDs. Their operability is around 88% and correct sensitivity is around 85% and

tested only about 87% in every two months intervals.

5. About 89% of consumers in the Chief Engineers Area of the Jaffna are having RCDs.

Their operability is around 85% and correct sensitivity is around 87% but not tested


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5.0 Observations & Findings

Findings:

1. Availability of RCDs in domestic dwellings is about 90%.

2. Operability of RCDs are around 86%

3. RCDs are with correct sensitivity is around 86%

4. Only about 52% of the RCDs are tested in every two months intervals.

6.0 Recommendations for

6.1 Electrical Workers:

6.1.1 Fixing of standard RCDs in Electrical wiring Installations in dwelling

is compulsory

6.1.2 Use Residual Current Devices (RCDs) for extra safety. It detects

some (but not all) faults in the electrical system and rapidly

switches off the supply

6.1.3 Keep in mind that RCD helps to protect against electric shock when

current flows through a person from a phase to earth. It cannot

protect against electric shock when current flows through a person

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from phase to neutral or from phase to phase. But RCD may still trip

if the person is in contact with the ground (earth), as some current

may still pass through the persons finger and body to earth

6.1.4 Keep in mind that RCDs cannot remove all risk of electric shock, fire

or overload conditions, phase-to-neutral short circuits or phase-to-

phase short circuits. Hence, Over-current protection (fuses or circuit

breakers) must be provided

6.1.5 Installation of RCDs for protecting people should have a rated

tripping current (sensitivity) of not more than 30 milliamps (mA)

6.1.6 Educate house owners to press the RCD test button regularly (at

least once two months) to check that its mechanism is free and

functioning

6.1.7 The best place for an RCD is built into the main supply or the socket-

outlet, as this means that the supply cables are permanently

protected

6.1.8 if this is not possible, use a plug incorporating an RCD or a plug-

in RCD adaptor

6.1.9 The RCD is a valuable safety device – never bypass it

6.1.10 If the RCD trips, it is a sign there is a fault. Check the system before

using it again

6.1.11 If the RCD trips frequently and no fault can be found in the system.

Replace the RCD

6.1.12 Educate occupants of the dwelling on:


6.1.13.1 benefits of having RCDs in domestic installations 6.1.13.2 proper maintenance and testing of RCDs 6.1.13.3 necessity in testing the RCDs regularly, for example once

in two months immaterial on the energy consumption range to check that its mechanism is free and functioning

6.1.13.4 widespread use of RCDs at homes since there are no inherent reliability problems with RCDs.

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6.2 Licensees:

6.2.1 6.3.1 Fixing of standard RCDs in Electrical wiring Installations in

dwelling is compulsory and to be ensured at the time of new supply

connection as well as when Revenue Meter Reader visits the house




6.2.3 The RCDs help to protect against electric shock when current flows

through a person from a phase to earth. It cannot protect against

electric shock when current flows through a person from phase to

neutral or from phase to phase. But RCD may still trip if the person

is in contact with the ground (earth), as some current may still pass

through the persons finger and body to earth

6.2.4 The RCDs cannot remove all risk of electric shock, fire or overload

conditions, phase-to-neutral short circuits or phase-to-phase short

circuits. Hence, Over-current protection (fuses or circuit breakers)

must be provided





functioning



protected

6.2.8 If this is not possible, use a plug incorporating an RCD or a plug-in

RCD adaptor

6.2.9 The RCD is a valuable safety device – never allowed to bypass it

6.2.10 If the RCD trips, it is a sign there is a fault. Ask them to check the

wiring installation system before using it again


Replace the RCD


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6.3 Occupants of the dwellings:

6.3.1 Fixing of standard RCDs in Electrical wiring Installations in dwelling

is compulsory




6.3.3 The RCD helps to protect against electric shock when current flows

through a person from a phase to earth. It cannot protect against

electric shock when current flows through a person from phase to

neutral or from phase to phase. But RCD may still trip if the person

is in contact with the ground (earth), as some current may still pass

through the persons finger and body to earth

6.3.4 The RCDs cannot remove all risk of electric shock, fire or overload

conditions, phase-to-neutral short circuits or phase-to-phase short

circuits. Hence, Over-current protection (fuses or circuit breakers)

must be provided





functioning



protected

6.3.8 If this is not possible, use a plug incorporating an RCD or a plug-in

RCD adaptor

6.3.9 The RCD is a valuable safety device – never bypass it

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6.3.10 If the RCD trips, it is a sign there is a fault. Check the system before

using it again


Replace the RCD





7.0 Future works 7.1 Finding out of the average failure rate of RCDs 7.2 Finding out of the falling of average failure rate by means of regular operation

of the integral test button 7.3 Finding out what factors causing increasing of average failure rate of

electromechanical RCDs 7.4 Determine the superiority of Electronic and electromechanical RCDs as far as

failure rate are concern 7.5 Carry out situ testing of a range of 30mA RCDs installed in domestic premises 7.6 Determine overall reliability rate of RCDs by analyzing the test results obtained

from examination of the failed RCDs.

Documents

Report of the Survey on Residual Current Devices at Homes