(pix:geo.tv)
By Idowu Oyebanjo
Electrocution
is basically death caused by an electric shock. While this is not a favoured
topic, it is important to expose the facts about the Nigerian Power System and
the high potential that it possesses to cause more deaths due to electrocution
in the short to medium term if things are done improperly as they are now.
One of
the anti-climax of not having stable electricity for over 50 years now in Nigeria is the
fact that one did not hear so much of deaths due to electric shock from
electrical appliances or devices. This is mainly because there was no
"light". With the recent increase in availability of gas to power
stations, and the attendant availability of electricity supply, the weakness of
the power system will come to the fore and more electrical safety accidents are
bound to occur.
Unfortunately, because electricity is a good servant but a bad
master, the fatal results of not following electrical principles in the design,
operation, maintenance and control of the power system is death by electrocution!
In the last few weeks alone, we have had the death of a staff of one of the
electricity companies while he was carrying out his day to day activities on a
power line. But more recently, the case of Oluchi Anekwe, a 3rd year student at
the University of
Lagos has reinforced the
calls by experts for a holistic review of the operation of the Nigerian Power
System.
The
minimum current a human can feel depends on the current type viz Alternating
Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC) and the frequency for AC systems. If this
current is high enough, it can cause tissue damage and ventricular fibrillation
of the heart which leads to cardiac arrest. The potential seriousness of an
electric shock depends on the path of the body the current passes. It is most
dangerous if a path through the heart is established. Other possible
consequences of electric shocks include but not limited to deep skin burns,
nervous breakdown, micro and macroshocks to mention but a few.
The
only way to reverse the current trend is to allow technically intensive review
of the running of the Nigerian Power System. Specifications and policies
guiding the operation, control, protection and maintenance of power system
plants need to be developed for use in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
These guidelines must be enforced in such a way that if any company is found in
breach of it, the penalty or consequence must be very severe. There is
therefore an urgent need for an Health & Safety Executive (HSE) body for
the power system. The HSE must be very powerful with the powers to jail and
fine erring individuals or companies found wanting.
To
prevent deaths from electrocution, significant attention has to be placed on
power system protection. From fuses to relays, adequate protection must be available
for any power circuit or plant to minimise the risk of electric shock or death
to personnel or individuals in the vicinity of or in close contact with power
system plants. Protection settings have to be determined for the entire power
network and the coordination of grading stages for all items on the network is
a must.
*Idowu Oyebanjo, a Power System Professional, contributed this piece to BLOG from the UK
No comments:
Post a Comment