[Earthquake-proof and weak current safety class] The power will be cut off immediately after the earthquake! Safety Guide for the Installation of "Evacuation Emergency Lighting" and "Distribution Box Earthquake Automatic Power-off Protector" in Greater Taipei Residential Areas

The source of secondary disasters caused by earthquakes: short-circuit fires in wires caused by strong earthquakes

According to fire statistics from the Fire Department of the Ministry of the Interior over the years, the highest proportion of secondary disasters caused by earthquakes is fires caused by short-circuit in wires. When an earthquake shakes violently, high-power appliances such as high-temperature halogen lamps, electric heaters, and electric irons can easily fall over and ignite immediately if they come into contact with flammable materials such as carpets and curtains. In addition, deformation of the wall may also squeeze and tear off the insulation of the wires in the wall, causing the exposed metal to short-circuit and heat. When Taipower temporarily shuts down during an earthquake due to its protective mechanism and then resumes power supply (power restoration), the surge voltage generated instantaneously can break down damaged electrical appliances or lines, causing a serious fire. In the Greater Taipei area, which is densely populated and has narrow fire breaks, post-earthquake fires are often more devastating than the damage from the earthquake itself. Therefore, the installation of "earthquake-sensing power-off devices" that can automatically cut off fire and power sources in the event of a strong earthquake has become an important indicator of high-asset property valuation in modern weak-electric power planning.

The patron saint of residential power grids: Distribution box seismic trip breaker (Seismic Trip Breaker)

The seismic trip breaker is a safety switch that combines physical shaking induction and electromagnetic tripping technology. When the detected earthquake intensity reaches level 5 (equivalent to an acceleration of more than 250 gal), the internal physical pendulum or micro-electromechanical acceleration chip will instantly send a signal to trigger the shunt switch in the main distribution box (usually a fuseless switch or leakage circuit breaker) to trip and trip, instantly cutting off the power supply to the entire household. This can ensure that when residents flee in panic or are away from home, fires will not be caused by electrical appliances toppling over or power restoration surges. For commercial property managers or investors who renovate old houses, planning to install a set of earthquake-induced power-off protectors in the main distribution box not only shows the utmost importance to the life safety of residents, but also is a commercial tool for packaging the property into a "compliant, safe and disaster-prevention smart home" to increase the premium resale rate.

Golden Escape Line: Configuration Specifications for Evacuation Emergency Lighting Systems

When a strong earthquake causes the regional power grid to be interrupted and the whole house is plunged into darkness, it often causes great panic and even causes tramples and falls. Reasonable emergency evacuation lighting planning is the second line of defense against earthquakes. Water and electricity experts pointed out that emergency lighting cannot be plugged into ordinary extension sockets at will, but a dedicated self-charging circuit should be planned. Emergency lighting should be installed above the entrance door, at the corners of stairs and in long and narrow corridors. The installation height is recommended to be about 2 meters to prevent it from being blocked by overturned furniture when the decoration shakes. When purchasing, you should identify the national standard CNS verification and have the ability to continuously emit light for at least 90 minutes. Regularly pressing the test button to check battery health is a routine and required course for property managers to maintain fire safety in their buildings.

Plumbing repairs and insurance assessments: a win-win option for lower premiums and asset appreciation

For real estate acquirers who plan to convert old apartments into commercial office space, youth hostels or high-end rental suites, equipped with compliant emergency lighting and earthquake-sensitive power outage switchboards are the key to successfully passing the Shuangbei "Interior Renovation and Decoration Permit" review and fire safety inspection. In addition, when evaluating fire and earthquake insurance rates, many domestic insurance companies will provide premium discounts for commercial buildings or residences equipped with automatic power-off devices. The initial investment in this concealed project can achieve high financial ROI by reducing maintenance costs and insurance costs in future property operations.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs' latest "Regulations on Consumer Electrical Equipment Installation" and the key points of electricity safety in old houses

Due to the popularity of high-power household appliances (such as air fryers, microwave ovens, dishwashers, instantaneous electric water heaters, and IH furnaces) in recent years, the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs has revised the "Regulations on Consumer Electrical Equipment Installation" many times to strictly require the diversion and protection mechanisms of residential electricity circuits. Statistics show that more than 30% of building fires in Taiwan are caused by electrical factors, among which "old wire insulation deteriorates and short circuits", "socket contacts are oxidized and loose, poor contact" and "non-fuse switch (NFB) overloaded and failed to trip" are the three main fatal causes.

Old apartments in Shuangbei that are more than 30 years old have a total original designed power capacity of only 30A to 40A, and several rooms often share the same 1.6mm or 2.0mm circuit. In the modern standard safety configuration, kitchen electrical cabinets, bathroom equipment, and air-conditioning and heating machines must all be equipped with 5.5mm² dedicated circuits (single circuit and single socket). It is recommended that the main switch box be upgraded to a busbar (Busbar) integrated distribution board, and the total amperage is increased to 75A or 100A (a qualified electrical appliance contractor needs to be entrusted to Taipower to review the additional power capacity).

Residential electricity self-test and regular inspection checklist

• Appearance and temperature of the socket: Touch the outer cover of the commonly used socket lightly with the back of your hand. If it feels lukewarm or if you find that the plastic socket is yellowed and charred, or the plug is loose and shaking after being plugged in, it means that the internal copper plate clamping force is exhausted or the contact resistance is too high, and you should immediately cut off the power and replace it.
• Regular testing of leakage circuit breakers (ELCB): For leakage circuit breakers in humid places such as balconies, bathrooms, and kitchen sinks, regulations require that the "TEST button" on the switch be pressed once every 1 to 3 months to confirm that it can automatically trip and cut off the power supply instantly.
• Serial connection and overloading of extension cords are strictly prohibited: Extension cords should be purchased with 2.0mm thick wire diameter products that have CNS certification and automatic overload power-off protection. Do not share the same extension cord with high energy-consuming appliances to ensure zero hidden danger to life and property at home.