Another Call Center Blog

A few days after the onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy, some areas in Metro Manila and nearby municipality are still in the dark since the power restoration of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is not yet fully completed.

However, the electricity distributor, issued customer safety reminders as it begins to restore power in nearly all of its service areas, including places which were previously submerged in flood water. They are asking customers to "exercise caution before plugging and turning on their appliances," and to seek advice from licensed electrical practitioners if it would already be safe to run power back on.

Meralco likewise provided a list of precautionary measures with regard electrical facilities after a household has been submerged in flood.

1) Make sure that the main electrical power switch or circuit breaker is turned off. When you need to touch a switch and the floor is still wet, stand on dry board or carton or wear rubber sole boots. Use a dry stick or rubber gloves, or well-insulated pliers or tools to pull handles;

2) Unplug all equipment and appliances. Turn off the switch of permanently connected equipment. Unscrew all light bulbs if possible;

3) Remove mud and dirt from the service equipment or main circuit breaker/fuse and its enclosure with rubber gloves and rubber sole shoes;

4) Allow electrical wires, connectors and other wiring devices to dry completely. Drying may take days, depending on how wet the system is and on external temperature;

5) When all electrical wires and accessories are dry and clean, the wiring system must be checked, and;

6) The appliance itself must be completely dry, serviced or checked by a licensed electrician. Do not turn on damaged electrical appliances.