Switch off big appliances
When the grid goes, switch off ACs, fridges and pumps. Switch them on one by one a few minutes after light returns.
Home Power safety
Power safety at home
Living safely with grid, gen and inverter.
Most homes in Uyo run on three sources of power. Each brings its own risks. Here is what we tell our own families, in plain words.
When light comes back
Surges and the grid.
Fit surge protection
A surge protector at the board protects every circuit. Plug strips protect only what is plugged in.
Watch for very bright or very dim
If bulbs glow very bright or very dim, switch off at the main. It can mean a loose neutral.
Generators
The silent danger.
Carbon monoxide has no smell
- Run generators outside, at least five metres from doors and windows
- Never in a garage, boys' quarters or under a window
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in bedrooms
- Never connect a generator by plugging it into a socket
Use a changeover switch
A changeover switch keeps the generator and grid apart. Without one, power can flow back down the line and hurt workers on the poles, or destroy your generator when the grid returns.
Manual changeover from ₦45,000
Rainy season
Water and wiring.
- 01
Check outdoor sockets
Outdoor sockets need weatherproof covers. Cracked ones let water in.
- 02
Keep the meter dry
Report damaged meter boxes to the supplier, and keep the area clear.
- 03
Earthing matters more
Wet ground makes a bad earth more dangerous. We test earth pits for ₦15,000.
- 04
After a flood
Do not switch on anything that has been under water. Have it tested first.
Quick checks
Five signs to call an electrician.
| Sign | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Warm socket or switch plate | A loose or overloaded connection is heating up | Unplug, switch off that circuit, call us |
| Breaker trips again and again | The breaker is protecting you from a fault | Leave it off and book a visit |
| Tingle from a tap or appliance | Something is live that should not be | Switch off at the main, call now |
| Burning smell | Insulation is melting | Switch off at the main, call now |
| Lights dim when the AC starts | Undersized cable or a weak connection | Book a fault-finding visit |
Are plug extension boards safe?
Good ones are, but never plug an AC, iron or heater into one, and never chain boards together.
How often should wiring be checked?
Every five years for homes, every year for shops and rented properties.
Want a safety check?
Our inspection visit covers the whole house with a written report.