Background and Purpose
(1)Importance of Electrical Safety: To ensure electrical safety in homes, the Singapore government requires all residences to install a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB). An RCCB is a safety device that cuts off the power supply to prevent electric shock when it detects a leakage in the home.
(2)Scope of Application: From July 2023, all residences, including those built before July 1985, must install an RCCB. However, homeowners will be given a two-year grace period to install it. Installation Requirements and Costs
(3)New Residences: From July 1985, all new residences must install an RCCB when they are built.
Old Residences:
(1)Government Subsidy: For one-room and two-room HDB (Housing Development Board) flats built in 1985 and before, the cost of installation and necessary rewiring works will be fully subsidized by the government. (2)Subsidy Scheme: For owners of three-room and larger HDB flats built in 1985 and before that do not have an RCCB installed, the government will subsidize up to 95% of the cost of installation and necessary rewiring works. (3)Private Residences: EMA (Energy Market Authority) will notify all private residence owners to check whether there is an RCCB in their homes. If not, they need to hire a licensed electrician to install it themselves, at the owner's expense.
Penalties for non-compliance
(1)Grace period: All homeowners will be given a grace period of two years to install an RCCB. (2)Enforcement inspections: After the grace period, EMA or its designated agents will conduct random enforcement inspections, focusing on pre-1985 HDB flats and private homes. (3)Penalties: Any home that does not have an RCCB installed will receive a written warning and be given another eight weeks to install the device. Failure to comply will result in a fine of up to S$5,000. However, homeowners with faulty RCCBs will not be penalized.
Testing and maintenance of RCCBs
(1)Location and identification: RCCBs are usually located in the home's distribution box, and the switch with a test button is the RCCB.
Testing method:
Turn off all electrical appliances to protect them. Press the test button and the RCCB switch will flip down, cutting off all power in the home. Test all light switches and electrical sockets in each room. If the RCCB is working properly, the lights and appliances will not turn on. If any lights or sockets continue to work, it means the RCCB is not working properly and a licensed electrician should be contacted immediately. Maintenance advice: EMA and HDB encourage all homeowners to test the RCCB regularly to ensure it is in good working condition.
Contact and help
HDB homeowners: If you cannot find your RCCB or have other questions, you can call the HDB branch service hotline at 1800-225-5432 or visit www.hdb.gov.sg/efeedback for help. Private homeowners: You can contact a licensed electrician or visit go.gov.sg/rccb-lew for help.
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