In the first two weeks of October, Ranchi saw a string of fires that local reports linked to a suspected short circuit. Thankfully, no one was reported hurt in the incidents below. But each one is a reminder that the wiring behind our walls is easy to forget until something goes wrong. This is not about blaming anyone. It is about what all of us, at home, in a shop or in an office, can check this week.
What was reported
- 5 October, Hinoo: A fire broke out in a private security company's office on the third floor of a building in the Doranda police station area. PTI reported that police believed the cause was an electrical short circuit. Four fire tenders brought it under control in about two hours. Computers, documents and furniture were destroyed, with losses put at over Rs 1.25 crore. No one was hurt.
- 6 October, State Library: According to Newswave Jharkhand, sparks came out of an electrical board in a corner of the girls' section. Some furniture and papers caught fire while students were studying. The cause was reported as a short circuit. Everyone got out safely and the power supply was cut.
- 11 October, Lalpur: Lagatar reported a fire in a house in the NIBM lane area. A short circuit was suspected in initial reports, and the actual cause was still being assessed. Valuables and documents were lost, and no casualties were reported.
Official investigations decide the real cause of any fire. We are only repeating what the reports said.
A 15-minute wiring check you can do
You don't need tools for most of this. Just walk around with your eyes and nose open.
- Look at your distribution board (DB). Do you have proper MCBs, or old rewireable fuses with a piece of wire twisted in? Is there an RCCB (or RCBO) on the incoming side? An RCCB trips on earth leakage, which an MCB alone does not detect.
- Feel and smell. A switch, plug top or DB cover that feels warm, or a faint burning or plastic smell, needs an electrician's visit soon.
- Check the socket load. A heater, iron or geyser on a multi-plug extension board is a common risk. Heavy appliances should get their own correctly rated socket.
- Look for tired cables. Cracked insulation, taped joints and wires hanging loose above false ceilings or behind furniture are worth fixing.
- Test the RCCB. Most RCCBs have a "T" test button. Pressing it should trip the device. If nothing happens, get it checked.
- Know where to switch off. Everyone in the family or office should know where the main switch is.
For shops, offices and libraries
Commercial spaces often grow load over the years: more computers, more ACs, a printer here, a water dispenser there. The original wiring was rarely planned for that.
- Ask an electrician whether each MCB rating suits the cable it protects. A bigger MCB on a thin cable is not an upgrade.
- Keep paper, cartons and furniture away from the DB and the meter.
- Book a periodic inspection. If you already have a maintenance contract for switchgear or CCTV, add the DB to the checklist.
- Keep a suitable fire extinguisher near the panel, and make sure staff know never to use water on live electrical equipment.
When to call a professional
Frequent tripping, a breaker that will not reset, scorch marks or a burning smell are signs to stop and call a licensed electrician. Please don't keep resetting a tripping breaker or "upgrade" it to a higher rating to stop the tripping. The tripping is the warning.
If you are replacing old fuses or adding RCCB protection, ATRICL in Upper Bazar, Ranchi can help you choose and supply the right switchgear. We are the C&S Electric Authorised Service Partner for Jharkhand and Bihar. Installation should always be done by a qualified electrician.
This article is general information, not a substitute for a site inspection. Electrical work should always be done by a qualified, licensed electrician. ATRICL is GeM-registered.