How to Prevent
Shower Electrocution

Water heaters can be found in many Malaysian homes. It’s a convenient way to get a hot shower, but it can also be a dangerous electrocution hazard.

In August 2016, Malaysians were shocked by news about a 19-year old student who died from electrocution while taking a shower at her home in Seremban 2.

Although the reason for the accident was never identified as the instant water heater, it is possible for such appliances to cause electrocution.

Type of Electrical Water Heaters

1. Storage Water Heater

It heats up water in a tank, and is usually installed in the ceiling above your bathroom. The hot water is kept until you need it for your shower.

2. Instant Water Heater

Known as a tankless heater, and since it does not have a water tank, it takes up less space in the house.

Dangers of electrical water heaters

Water heaters can be a dangerous hazard if not installed or maintained properly. If the thermostat fails, the water can become too hot, and cause severe burns. It can also be a fire risk.

Also, since electricity is used to power the heating elements, it can be an electrocution risk if the electricity is not isolated from the water that flows on your body when you shower.

Safety Advice When Choosing Water Heaters

The Malaysian Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga Malaysia) has advised homeowners to replace water heaters that are more than 10 years old as those older models do not meet the latest safety requirements.

For storage water heaters, look for those that come with plastic-based inlet/outlet isolation barriers. This innovative device, which has been made mandatory since April, is to limit the amount of leaked current that enters or leaves the circuit, and to prevent electrical accidents.

As for instant water heaters, the new models are now fitted with a built-in 15 miliamps (mA) residual current device, which detects the leak of dangerous current caused by defective equipment.

How to Test Your Water Heater Safety

1. Don’t install a water heater yourself if you are not trained.
2. Check the TEST button on your instant water heater once a month.

“To test this, your instant water heater will come with a button on the side marked “TEST” or “ELCB” (Earth leakage circuit breaker). Turn on the switch outside the bathroom (so that the water heater light is on), then press this button. You should hear a click, and the power to the heater will be cut off. That means it is working.”

3. Inspect for loose cabling.
4. Test your house fuse box regularly.

“Open the RCCB cover, and you should see a large “TEST” button. Similar to the ELCB on the water heater, push this button once a month to see if the switches trip, and the power supply cuts off. If power to the house is not cut off when the button is pushed, call an electrician to check it.”

5. Avoid pointing the shower at the water heater casing.

That is why you & your family need a
Healthy & Safe
Hot Water Heater

Solar Water Heater Usage does not require you to test either ELCB or RCCB due to the fact that no electricity involved in heat production.

It uses the solar energy from the sun to generate heat (not electricity) which can then be used to heat water for showering, space heating, industrial processes or even solar cooling.

In the mean time, YOU can :

• Save up to RM 20000.
• Be safe from electrocution.
• Enjoy 24 hours daily hot water.
• Save the environment.

“Let the sun pay for your bill!”