Talking Point is one of the best investigative series out there on YT. Keep it up guys! Appreciate all this crucial information that often gets overlooked by a lot of us

That opening segment with the reenactment of the family that was killed by electrocution. I remember reading it in the news. So tragic. Imagine how traumatised the daughter was when she saw her father collapsing as well. Thankfully she was smart, probably noticed something wasn't right and did not reach in to her father, otherwise she would've been electrocuted as well. I cannot imagine the feelings she went through in the moment. The trauma she's going through now. Just sad.

This report has no doubt saved many lives because now people have been informed just how important it is to have water heaters and electrical work done only by a professionally trained installer. Who is checking the official standards are met in the building of new apartment and office blocks?

In my opinion, to protect innocent people, the sale of water heater should be regulated and sold only to licensed installer. The installation fee should be fixed by the appropriate authorities.

Really educational. For those who are renovating their houses, you never know if the ID is using licensed electrical or plumbing workers.

Excellent education on this matter. I feel authorities should impose penalties on unlicensed plumbers and electricians

For electrical installation of water heater, there are at least conditions to consider: 1. Minimum standards for installation of both storage and non-storage heaters to be well communicated to water heater vendors and their contractors. 2. Qualified electricians to do the installation. Requiring a qualified electrician for every installation, while still highly recommended, may not be the most practical measure, given their availability and costs. As many of the shop contractors specialize in such installation and are almost doing it everyday, they are in a position to comply if the minimum standards are clearly communicated with penalties for non-compliance laid out. Surely something can and must be done to reduce the number of death by electrocution from water heaters.

This is like the best programme ever its informative, and educational and not to mention Steve as the host is the perfect match - i wonder why Insider has so little views/likes . .

I learnt so much from this episode ! I was most impressed that the demonstration of the vast dangers by using electrical cabling that cannot support water heaters. Thanks to everyone whom produced this !

Brilliant, informative and direct. Thank you for doing this episode. 👏

So besides telling the public to only engage licensed electricians and water heater installation technicians to carry out the job for their homes, what other steps have the government taken to prevent more of such accidents fatal or otherwise from happening ? What kind of penalties is in place if an unlicensed electrician is caught doing electrical installation works for home owners cos if I can remember, there hasn't been any unlicensed electricians being hauled to court for carrying out electrical works. Had I not watched this video, I won't even know of all these potential danger of having a water heater at home, and I am very sure 9 out of ten families are not aware of this too. Thank you very much Steve Chia for sharing this very useful and valuable knowledge with this video.

A video we never knew we needed

Excellent documentary as usual, always interesting and relevant topics to learn more about.

Good job, really informative!

Thank you Steven Chia! I've always enjoyed your episodes as they are so educational and close to our daily life. Look forward to you next episode :)

As a electrician in training. This is pretty educational. Thanks again

I love that conversation at the end, It's so eye-opening

Thank you for doing this, Steven.

I seem a few storage heater didn't connect to the pressure release valve but I made sure mine did.

I once had my water heater sharing the same circuit for kitchen sockets and lights and I didn’t even know that was not the proper way for water heater to be installed until HDB came by my unit to inspect. All thanks to my reno subcontractors who was also a plumber😪

So informative, thank you

There are errors being presented as facts. Storage water heater has protection against overheating so pressure buildup is not due to this. 2 DP switches for the storage heater does not equate 2 energy source buildup to cause the fire. Pressure relief valve need to test for functionality and not just to ensure drain pipe is not plugged. LEW test for earth bonding, resistivity value of more than 1Ω and LEW claimed it is too high which is incorrect assumption without calculating the impedance. Steve your heater wiring of 1.5mm² may not be undersized ask your LEW to check against the conductor table in SS638. Please check against the correct table. Mr Wang stated water heater draws a current of 14 to 20A. He needs to clarify that he is referring to storage heater and not single point instant heater, subsequent images show man showering using instant heater. The cable used to demo it heating up, he neglect to state cable is undersized.

Thank you Steve for doing this episode.

The useful revelation that I learnt from this very educational video is that the big tank water heater uses a current much higher than 13 amps which then causes the typical 13 amp house socket and wire to overheat and which then causes short circuit and electrocution of the user.

Thanks for this video. I'm going to rewire my heaters to new cables. It's not complacency, but just that we sometimes take everything in 'Singapore' as safe. The wear and tear is what we tend to forget.

Usually the small wall installed water heater also has its own safety electrical circuit called a ELCB ( Electric Leakage Circuit Breaker) that comes with a small test button on the water heater itself. The person using the water heater from time to time must check that this circuit breaker is working by first switching on the power and then pressing that small button to trip (stop) the electricity supply to the heater. This is an additional safety circuit on top of the RCCB ( Residual Current Circuit Breaker) found in the main electrical board/box of the house or apartment which must also be tested on a regular basis to make sure it is working.

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

This is very useful. Thank you for showing this. Great content for awareness. Brunei fan

Following the instruction manual on how to install the water heater will ensure the safety of the installation. Even licensed plumbers and electricians would sometimes consult the installation instruction to make sure that the minimum standard is followed. I've installed several Stiebel Eltron tankless water heaters and found no ensuing problems after many years of use.

Truly an eye opener

Thanks very informative

Just the same, there had been flooding in Texas, some homes have basement, avoid going into basement when flooded as electrical current maybe in the water.

Muito bom material. Gostei dos detalhes!

Insightful series!!! Better be safe than sorry

We purchased a new condominium from a developer in Cebu, Philippines. The first time I had a shower I felt a tingling sensation when I touched the main tap. I spent a lifetime working in the electrical, electronic industry and instantly knew what it was. The development 'electrician' found the condo wasn't bonded to earth or ground. We could have both easily died. ELB should be mandated in all Asian countries.

🙏 Remembered this tragic news of 2020 ... Deepest condolences to the families & friends of the Departed ... May the Departed be blessed to a Better World & Realm ... One of the best gifts are to buy Good & Safe Water Heaters for those still using old & not certified water heaters! Luckily , water heaters are easy to change as they already have the electrical & water pipings installed! Please do ask the water heater supplier to call in their qualified technicians to install the water heater for us to play safe! 🙏 Thank You So Much CNA for highlighting this very important social safety reminder about the dangers of electrocution from badly made water heaters! 🙏

Very interesting, gives me thoughts now as am close to building my bunglow house in the Philippines

I m so thanksfull for reminding us Great vedio🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

When the plumber said unlicensed people may not understand the pressure release valve, I felt his "oh no"

Oh.... Great information

Always check the water that comes out from the tank, whether it is clear or contains rust particles. If rust is detected, is a tell tale sign of tank leak. When replacing a water heater, ensure the 15amp electrical 2.5mm cable is safe (flexible) and not stiff. Safety pressure valve(copper) must be new n check rust regularly.

I have heard of water storage exploding but this is actually the first time I've heard of water heater electrocution. A few years ago, my parents wanted to install electric water heater because they're old and taking cold water bath makes them feel uncomfortable and boiling water in the stove just to take a bath is cumbersome. I opposed that and recommended a gas water heater because electric water heater will need a lot of maintenance, I'm glad I said that. Now, time to check my water heater, jeebus.

omg ... thanks for the info

Wow!!!u even became an assistant to an electrician!!!Very informative video !!

Very informative episode more needs to be done such as trusted water heater installation contact numbers for contractors

Hope for next is how choose , extension, what cable gauge, lengths, type appliances to use.

Omg I rmbr that tragedy and it rrly made me uncomfortable cos you wouldn't rrly think much abt being electrocuted by your water heater. I'm glad this episode exists so we would be more aware

This is incredible! Keep them coming!

Our water heaters in North America are usually in a utility room , basement , or in the U S south in the attics. I have never heard of anyone getting electrocuted in the shower , also the cabling you are using is way to light for 20 amps at 240 volts.

using lower gauge/thinner cables is how some electrician save money. i've seen it done to a heated food display unit. the wire from the mains went into a splitter to make sure the wires dont contact each other. but the wires from the splitter to the thermostat and wires joined to the heating elements cables are of 2 sizes too small. as a result, they lasted a week before melting their insulation. having two switches to a single water heater doesnt mean the heater gets double the power. it can draw more current if there's a fault in the heater/wiring. the wife was faster thinking in that case to switch the circuit breaker off. in a fire, switch off the power and gas. you smell gas, shut off any flame and mains power. there's a reason why there's a breaker under your electricity meter outside of apartment. here's another thing to take note of, older HDBs have thinner cables, the circuits design is 15Amps while current new homes is 20Amps and 25-30 amps for high power devices(AC units/ovens/fridges). if you are moving into a 30-40yr old HDB. check the home wiring, either from prev owners or getting an electrician. my current home is 40yrs old, turning on circular Fluorescent lights causes brownout due to how old the circuits are and it has caused my desktop PC to crash.

Thanks to this episode, steve. I almost got a cheap installer to install my water heater.

I just feel that a law should be passed making it mandatory for contractors to engage only licensed electricians and plumbers. But then I wonder if this might be possible at all considering that only a small percentage are licensed?

you are right, 90% water heater electricians are old, or low-educated, unqualified, improperly trained to install water heater, but sg gov just keeps quiet. i twice asked gov town council to recommend electrician repair heater i one instance, they were not cheap, in another instance, i saw the two 50yo uneducated singaporean uncles did the installation, i told myself i do not want to see them again, they used thin copper wires, 40core, to cut cost, not the 70core and cut time, cut corner! so angry !

Stuff related to renovation/repairs are generally a very grey area. While regulations are in place, from the homeowner standpoint we may also be none the wiser whether the contractor is legitimate or not. Even for fire rated doors (supposedly a regulated thing) homeowners may also not know whether the label is legit , personally I did not receive the label..

My 20gallon 120v hot water heater was installed on 240v power and finally failed after 1.5 years in operation. The hot water just stopped one day. Now working with original installers, which are just plumbers, to rectify the situation with a proper 240v hot water heater. All the wiring at least looks proper gauge though.

The same things happened in Malaysia. A Japanese couple was electrocuted due to ELCB malfunction. RCCB with 10mA leakage breaker is a must.

Water heater storage tanks now are installed with pressure relief valve.

Previous my renovation contractor used poor quality wire to install my water heater . Keep on shut down after use a while . Handyman noticed is poor quality wire issue.

I was distracted by Steven driving his good old merc! :-D

We've been using our water heater for 14 years. It was manually installed by my father who is an electrician in the Philippines but I'll ask him to check it again cause this gave me anxiety

Steve, next documentary should be Lipo Battery. 😁

it's happened in Malaysia last year too when a husband and wife were electrocuted due to a water heater in Cameron Highlands

Why didn't the 13A fuse break when the water heater is drawing 14A-20A?

This is really educational . I hope Malaysia also has this kind of story to tell their people

Ha! A licensed electrician and plumber. Sounds like a pipe dream here in Indonesia. But nice info. Wished I knew this when I was building my house.

good information in this video. Me, i use a gas heater.

Not only that, street lights also have electrocuted people in Singapore. Please look into that as well.

Now the question is why do you need a water heater in a tropical country that got same temperature all year long 😂

I feel that the regulatory authorities have to check and make sure ALL renovation installers need to check and give a certificate of good condition on electrical works...including the use of good quality wires and ECBs. For the vast majority of people this I not easy to check or understand. So just like the use of Gas connections and the need for a certified person to check and give a go ahead...the electrical works must also be checked by HDB approved, independent certified checkers....

U didn’t ask after how many years should change house wiring? Or water heaters? Thanks for interesting & educational topic 👍🏻

3:48 I would expect either the fuse or breaker to trip if enough current was leaking to make the earth wire live; I wonder if the earth connection itself was a bit weak. Maybe a ribbon-style cord would be less prone to this kind of leakage, since the wires would be running parallel instead of twisted together. One other thing that has compromised earth connections in recent years has been the use of plastic piping. With metal piping and fixtures, nearly all the plumbing had its own connection to the earth despite any wiring shortcomings, but now the that path would be intermittent, depending on whether the plastic pipes are full at the time. The metal water main in my father's house was replaced with plastic a while back and the installers just left the earth clamp hanging, effectively de-grounding the wiring of the whole house. It was only when I went to sell the place, after my father had died, that I noticed this condition and installed a grounding rod to restore the connection to the earth.

It was mentioned that the handyman plugged up the pressure relief outlet. This is an unfounded accusation!

My question is this. I've always wondered what's the point of a Fuse in the 3 pin plug? Fuses generally are meant to prevent this kind of things no ? Once current draw exceeds 13amps , it's supposed to break internally , severing the connection and preventing a short . In this scenario , the wires already fused and connected to each other and STILL the fuse did not do anything when it is supposed to when the current draw exceeded 13amps.

Permanent high current installations should be directly wired. If the plug is loose in the socket, or corroded, it will heat up, even at lower currents. The fuse offers no protection against this. Nor does it protect against loose wires nor any bad contact -- that will overheat and cause fire. All connections should be inspected, and the loop tested for low resistance or checked under load with an infrared camera to verify there is nothing overheating.

Hi Steven, I recently received a letter from HDB informing about plans to upgrade flats with older electrical systems to those with RCCBs. This was due to the case where a family of 3 were electrocuted from an incorrectly wired water heater. I went back to read the judges verdict and was surprised that the flat had already been upgraded with an RCCB during the HUP to add a utility room in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the RCCB only served the utility room. Although not clear, the report seemed imply that the electrician had only routed wires from the RCCB protected circuit to the utility room, essentially creating a distribution box with a dual electrical system. This was in 2003 after RCCBs were mandated in all new HDB flats. I am not sure if the EMA has electrical codes requiring newly installed RCCB must cover the entire electrical system rather than just a single circuit, so cannot comment if any rule was broken by the electrician. I wrote to EMA to enquire about the possibiliy of my home electrical system being upgraded as my home is fitted with an ELCB which predates the RCCB, and wanted to know if we would be included in this upgrading programme. Sadly, I was informed that we were not included as the RCCB is merely a renamed ELCB. EMA is not completely wrong of course because the original ELCB, which is a voltage sensing device that detects voltage leakage through the ground wire, whereas the RCCB, which was first called the current-operated ELCB was renamed to prevent confusion amongst electricians. However they differ drastically in operation and should not be confused with each other. Whilst RCCBs can detect any leakage in current (either through a short circuit in groung wiring or an alternative ground return such as through an object or person during an electrocution) the ELCB is severly limited to just leakage through the ground wire (which modern appliances tend to lack). Perhaps Talking Point could explore this topic further in your next episode? It is likely that a larger percentage of homes are currently installed with less protective ELCBs than RCCBs.

should make a habit of checking home RCCB or ELCB at home main circuit breaker box. provide protection against electric shocks or leakage.

I use touch screen & the right circuit breaker. I think you can have an inline circuit breaker called RCBO for this. This is required by Australian standard. They lose license without doing this.

No, if you have proper grounding and RCD (some old folks call it ELCB) circiuit properly installed in your hose/building. I am very surprised if SG don't have that safety requirement for new building/house. In AU they have DOUBLE RCD requirement for every new build. You need to fire/sue your whatever ministry in charge. Usually you install RCD before MCB to save cost because RCD cost 3-5 times as much as MCB fuse.

you are right, 90% water heater electricians are old, or low-educated, unqualified, improperly trained to install water heater, but sg gov just keeps quiet. i twice asked gov town council to recommend electrician repair heater i one instance, they were not cheap, 75yo, and he came and 'bundle and twist to tie-up' the three colour wires in just 5minute and after he left, it burst with a pop sound and fire smoky smell ! i was so angry but town conucil insisted nothing to do with them they dont take any responsibility... i had to find private again

this happen more than 1 time in singapore.... i bath with cold water for 20years

Water heater sellers usually include installation as a package. When they suppressed contractors labor charges, there's where things go wrong.. Wire size and required water piping will be skimmed off to cover cost. If the resident can find their own qualified contractors, whatever charges imposed is nothing when safety and long term solutions is in question. Installation is less than 5% of the heater purchased and customers usually pay up. As mentioned in the video, qualified contractors are not easily available or their schedule is too packed to entertain immediate attention. Better yet. shop owners must bundled all the wires, piping and circuit diagrams for proper installation. For my personal instant unit, my RCD is one foot away from the heater. The heater unit itself (consumers must know) also has a CB but the additional RCD is rated at 3mA. Lastly, don't buy metal cased instant heaters, metal shrouded flexible hose and metal shower units. to reduce electrocution risk. Children are prone to splash the unit with water during bathing time. Plastic casing is best.

Rather than monopolise the market by turning safe electrical installation into a black box, the authorities should make the information needed for safe installation free and widely available so that customers can protect ourselves from shoddy electricians, licensed or not.

But licensed electrician always charge a limb and a leg, thinking that it is tok cai tao day. I was once quoted $500 to change 1 water heater + wiring, when the material cost is at most $200.

I hired my ID to handle everything. Now i am scare whether they got the license electrician to do the proper job or not.

water is a poor conductor of electricity unless it has some amount of salts in it, pure water at least is not a good conductor. most tap water at least in the US is not very conductive, but with the 7 to 14 amp draw of the water heater, it's still likely to conduct some current through the water...

I don't know if its available in Singapore, in Taiwan they sometimes use LPG to heat the water, its instant heater but uses gas.

Very informative! Hmm... how about Gas Water Heaters? Any information on those?

Better safe than sorry!

Electro boom should be hosting this video..

Heaters are equipped with thermostat to prevent over temperature.

I once get a license electrician to my house to install some new points. he got his bangala to some over and install... after that the bangala just take some photos for his boss to approve is that legal?

how long should i heat up the water tank, how to know the water in it aleady heated up and ready to shower?

8:27 I was glad I watched technology connection channel so I understand how RCCB work lol

Install a GFCI connected to your water heater to solve water heater fault issue.

Yearly meggering will definitely avoid these types of tragedies which are caused by insulation failure.

As an engineer, the installation is still not satisfactory and still a shock hazard. This is the major difference between hands on engineer and pub licence electrician and plumber. It's sad to say, the ones who really hands on are those foreign workers and the licensed person just look. Lots of things must use hands to check or done but they just only using sight to check.

16:24 nice name

I just watched this video and there is mentioned that water heater current is between 14 to 20 amps. Here is where I am confused, why 1. does the 13amp fuse in the plug not blow out ? 2. the ELCB (earth leakage circuit breaker) does not trip ? Here, the 2 "fail safe" mechanisms typically installed in our flats have themselves failed and killed the occupants.

Water heater consumed large amount of electric current, it should be installed in a dry storage room preferably far away from bathroom or wet surrounding. Spend a bit more on pipe extension is better than losing your life trying to save a few bucks.

Schools should make it mandatory to under how electricity works in general and what should be done in case of accidents like this.