Electrical safety at home during load-shedding: 10 rules

Why load-shedding is the enemy of appliances

The outage itself is not the problem – the return is. When power comes back, the line is suddenly loaded and the voltage shoots far above or below normal for a few seconds (spike/brownout). At low voltage, motors (fridge, AC, pump) draw more current and overheat; at high voltage, electronic boards (inverter ACs, TVs, routers, chargers) burn out. This is one of the main reasons inverter AC PCBs and fridge relays fail in Dhaka.

The second danger: when the power drops, the compressor stops mid-cycle, and if power returns immediately it tries to start against pressure – the overload trips or the winding burns. That is why the "wait 3–5 minutes" rule matters so much.

When the power goes and comes back – 10 rules

1. The moment the power goes, switch off the AC, the fridge (if you can), the TV and computers – the return spike then never reaches them.
2. When power returns, wait 3–5 minutes for the voltage to settle; then switch things on one at a time, not all at once.
3. Fit a good automatic stabiliser (with time delay) to the fridge and AC – it holds off restarting for a few minutes by itself.
4. Run the TV, router, computer and chargers through a surge-protector power strip; cheap strips do not stop surges.
5. Use rechargeable lights or a torch, not candles – a large share of load-shedding fires in Bangladesh start with candles.
6. Never run a generator indoors or on a closed balcony – carbon monoxide kills silently.
7. Keep IPS/UPS batteries in a ventilated spot out of children’s reach, never where water can reach them.
8. Never mix a generator or IPS line with the mains – have an electrician fit a changeover switch, or you put the lineman’s life at risk.
9. Do not touch switches or plugs with wet hands in the dark; be especially careful with the geyser and washing-machine plugs.
10. If a breaker keeps tripping, stop resetting it – there is a reason; call an electrician.

Stabiliser, surge protector, IPS – which does what

Three devices, three jobs. A stabiliser corrects high or low voltage before it reaches the appliance – for anything with a motor (fridge, AC, pump, washing machine); match its capacity (kVA) to the AC’s tonnage. A surge protector absorbs momentary spikes – for electronics (TV, computer, router); it wears out after a few years, so replace it when the indicator light goes out. An IPS/UPS runs things from a battery during an outage – for fans, lights, router and computer; a fridge or AC will not run on an ordinary IPS.

Many assume an inverter AC needs no stabiliser – its voltage range is wide, but it still needs at least surge protection against spikes; ask the technician what your model requires.

Warning signs: call an electrician without delay

• A warm switchboard, plug or cable; dark marks, a burning or melting-plastic smell
• Sparks when flipping a switch, or crackling when inserting a plug
• Lights that dim frequently, or dim when a fan starts (loose neutral / earthing fault)
• A breaker or fuse that trips again and again
• A slight shock from the fridge, geyser or tap water – there is no earthing; this is urgent
• In older homes: cloth-covered wires, joined wires, or a fan regulator that runs hot

When you call an electrician

In the AmarKarigor app, open the "Electrical" category to see nearby electricians – Verified badge (important for anyone entering your home), ratings, skill tags (wiring, IPS/UPS, generator, geyser). Send the symptoms and photos in chat – an experienced electrician who sees a photo of a scorch mark knows what to bring. Compare the visit fee and "typical price" range on the profile.

Earthing, breakers (MCB/RCCB) and wiring – having these three checked once a year cuts load-shedding damage a lot. If there is no RCCB (earth-leakage breaker), ask about fitting one – it is the single most effective device against electric shock.