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Our comfortable lives depend on the safe use of electricity. Electrical appliances and devices make our lives easier. Flipping a light switch, plugging in a coffeemaker, and charging a laptop or a mobile phone are second nature for most of us. Tragically, misuse of electricity is also a leading cause of fires that damage homes and cause injuries and fatalities around the world. The most common cause of home electrical fires is the unsafe use of electrical equipment and appliances. The story below illustrates how vulnerable we all are to electrical hazards.

The Shocking Truth about Electricity

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110 Vs. 220 Volt — Are You Ready for the Switch?

Saudi Aramco is in the process of switching the electrical power supply in its community homes from 110 to 220 V. This shift is necessary to meet the electricity standard set by the Saudi Arabian government. The switch also helps community residents — who are having difficulty finding 110 V electrical appliances in the local stores — equip their homes with 220 V electrical appliances that are widely available locally, without relying on transformers. In fact, it is very dangerous to use 110 V appliances with 220 V outlets, but similarly, one of the greatest risks for home fires is when residents rely on substandard transformers to use 220 V appliances with 110 V electricity. To eliminate the risk, and until the switch from 110 V to 220 V is completed, follow these safety tips:

q Only use transformers approved by recognized testing authorities, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Factory Mutual (FM) or the European KEMA-KEUR.

• Onlyusequality“stepup”transformers that will “step up” the voltage of the appliance, i.e., transformers that will allow you to use 220 V appliances with 110 V outlets.

Once the switch to 220 V is completed, the need for people to

use “step-up” transformers will be eliminated. At that time, to be able to use a 110 V appliance with a 220 V outlet, you must use a “step down” transformer, i.e., a transformer that will allow you to use a 110 V appliance with 220 V electricity.

Electrical equipment and appliances are generally available in the following electrical ratings:

1. 110-127 V.

2. 220-240 V.

3. Dual voltage (100-240 V), e.g., most TVs and computers.

Following the switch, company homes will be equipped with the following outlet types:

1. 120 V.

2. New 208 V outlets suitable for most 220-240 V appliances.

To reduce electrical hazards, and as a temporary measure, use dual voltage appliances that do not require the use of transformers whenever possible.

Electrical Transformers

Transformers convert the electrical supply from one voltage to another. A “step-up” transformer increases the voltage and a “step-down” transformer decreases the voltage. Some are both “step-up” and “step-down” transformers.

Electrical transformers with inferior quality or improper ratings for the intended appliance are a likely cause of overheating and electrical fires in Saudi Aramco communities. To prevent these fires follow these safe behaviors:

• Onlyusetransformersapprovedby recognized testing authorities, such as UL, FM or KEMA-KEUR.

• Usethemonlytemporarily—theyare not designed for permanent connection.

• Makesurethateachtransformeris used for its intended purpose and has a tight fit. If it does not fit the plug correctly, never force it in position.

• Neverusedefectivetransformers.

• Neverexceedthepowerratingofa transformer.

John and Helen arrived in Saudi Arabia from the US a few years back to work for the company. They brought all their household items, including electrical appliances and furniture. A year ago, one of the bedroom lamps stopped working and John went to local stores to buy a new one. He tried to find one rated for 110 volts (V) since company housing provides 110 V electricity. After several failed attempts at finding a lamp he was finally encouraged by a salesman to purchase a 220 V lamp and a wall outlet plug adapter. He arrived home and plugged in the new lamp using the plug adapter. The lamp looked great on the night table — his wife was pleased — but did not work when he turned on the switch. John thought about it for a while and then decided to change the 220 V light bulb to a 110 V bulb that fit perfectly in the socket. He turned the lamp on and “Voila!” the lamp brightened the bedroom instantly!

A few days later, while reading in bed, Helen smelled something burning. She jumped out of bed and looked around. She screamed when she noticed that the bottom of the bed cover next to the lamp was burning! The lamp’s electrical cord was on fire, which ignited the cover. John unplugged the lamp and used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out. Fortunately for Helen and John, the fire was small and manageable. What would have happened if they were not in the bedroom but downstairs or away from home? They could have lost everything — or worse, risked injuries and even death! Days later John found out that the electrical cord of a 220 V appliance is thinner than the 110 V cord. Yes, the lamp worked but the thinner 220 V cord could not withstand the extra current needed for the 110 V electricity passing through, thus it overheated and started a fire.

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How to calculate the load you want to place on the transformer:

• Allelectricaldevicescomewith a rated power usage described on its nameplate in V and load amps (A). (VA is the same as watts.) The load A is calculated after the device is started and running. So, all electrical devices have a starting current.

• Tocalculatetheload(orpower) first multiply V and A, and then multiply by 125% (the starting current factor).

Example: A typical microwave lists on its nameplate 127 V and 12.2 A. So, 127 V x 12.2 A = 1,550 VA x 125% = 1,940 VA (watts).

• Forthe1,940VAmicrowave,you need to use a transformer with a minimum rating of 1,950 VA or 1.95 kVA.

• Youcanuseatransformerof a higher rating but never one of a lower rating. For example, you can run 100 watts of garden lighting with a 900-watt transformer, but you should never run 120 watts with 100-watt transformer.

Electrical Power Cords and Plugs

Prevent power cord and plug related fires:

1. Make sure that all electrical power cords are UL, FM or KEMA-KEUR listed.

2. Conduct a visual check to make sure that the power cords are not frayed or damaged.

3. Check the label to make sure that you never exceed the rating capacity of the power cord.

4. Never place the cord under carpets or rugs or rest furniture on them; always keep them out of traffic areas.

5. Never nail or staple electrical cords to the wall, baseboard or to another object.

6. Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.

7. Never use a 220 V extension cord to power 110 V appliances.

Multioutlet Power Strips

Prevent multioutlet power strip related fires:

1. Make sure that all electrical power cords are UL, FM or KEMA-KEUR listed.

2. Use extension cords only temporarily and make sure that they have three prongs.

3. Never run them across doorways, in traffic areas or under carpets.

4. Never overload electrical outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time. A good “rule of thumb” is that the total power loading should never exceed 1,500 watts (1.5 kilowatts).

Note: • Heat producing appliances (e.g.,

space heater, clothes iron, hair dryer, curling iron, microwave oven, kettle and coffee percolator) have a typical power rating of 850 to 1,500 watts. Connect only one such appliance to a multioutlet power strip.

• Motor appliances (e.g., blender, mixer, vacuum cleaner, electric fan and electric drill) have a typical power rating of 850 to 1,500 watts. Connect only one such appliance to a multioutlet power strip.

• Low power appliances (e.g., VCR, TV, computer, monitor, printer, stereo and table lamp) have a typical power rating of 15 to 300 watts. Connect more than one such appliance to a multioutlet power strip but do not exceed 1,500 watts in total.

Signs of Electrical System Problems

Watch for signs that your home electrical system is not functioning at the level of safety needed to keep you, your family and home safe:

• Lightswitchesandoutletsfeelwarm to the touch.

• Lightsflickerordimfrequently.

• Electricalbreakerstripfrequentlyor trip immediately after being reset.

Electrical System Safety TipsWhat can we do to prevent home electrical fires?

• Ifyouexperienceanysignsof electrical problems, have a qualified electrician inspect your home’s electrical system to make sure that it’s operating at optimum safety. Never rely on “do-it-yourselfers” and handyman electricians. They are not trained to properly handle any electrical problem. They may repair something but problems, such as electrical shorts, damaged appliances and fires, can occur weeks or months later.

• Beforebuying,sellingorremodeling a home, have a qualified electrician inspect the electrical system to ensure the highest safety level.

• Equipyourhomewithgroundfault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, basement, garage and outside. GFCIs can generally reduce the risk of shock by immediately shutting off an electrical circuit when it presents a shock hazard. Only qualified electricians should install GFCIs.

• Makesurethatyourhomeisequipped with high-quality and functional smoke detectors — on every floor — preferably inside and outside the bedrooms.

• Checkallelectricaloutletsandhave a qualified electrician replace missing or broken wall plates.

• Makesurethatelectricalplugsfit securely into outlets. Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-point plug fit a two-conductor outlet. Never force a plug into an outlet if it does not fit.