When Lights Flicker and Alarms Go Crazy In Damai Perdana, Cheras
Yesterday, we got a call from a customer in Bandar Damai Perdana. His house was acting super weird with all kinds of electrical problems. The bedroom and living room downlights were flickering non-stop, some bulbs even meletup (exploded), and the ceiling fan started making funny noises. On top of that, the home alarm suddenly went off by itself and couldn’t be switched off. The alarm siren was so loud until a few neighbours came over to check what happened. The whole family started to panic but the strange part was, the DB box never tripped. That means something more serious was hiding inside the wiring. So the owner quickly went to the DB box and switched off the MCBs that were connected to the fan, ceiling lights, and the alarm. Otherwise, all the neighbours also cannot sleep at night because the alarm siren was really loud and kept going non-stop .
The owner also told us the fans were behaving crazy. Sometimes the ceiling fan and stand fan turned very slow, then suddenly went super fast. The microwave also looked like it got burnt because of the unstable current. In the end, the family had to switch off a few things for safety: the living room lights after the bulb exploded, the kettle that already rosak earlier and the alarm that just refused to stop. With so many things going haywire at the same time, this was clearly not a small problem. It was a dangerous wiring fault that really needed a professional to check before it got worse.
Loose Neutral Wire Fries Neighbour’s Rice Cooker and Fridge
He then called a few wiremen, but most of them said they didn’t know how to check the problem. They only knew how to install new wires and change a new DB box. Then he asked his neighbour, and luckily the neighbour got our contact. Because a few years ago we helped the neighbour fix their DB tripping problem. His case was also quite serious. I still remember the moment we opened his DB box, the neutral wire was already melted. The root cause was simple but dangerous: the previous wireman didn’t tighten the screw properly and over time, the loose connection created heat until the wire insulation burned.
What happened next was even worse. Because of that loose neutral, his fridge and rice cooker got fried. Imagine coming home and finding your food spoiled in a dead fridge and your daily rice cooker burnt beyond repair. These are basic household appliances that no family can live without, and just one small mistake in wiring ended up causing hundreds of ringgit in damage.
This is exactly why proper electrical troubleshooting is so important. Not every wireman knows how to diagnose hidden problems. Some only know how to install new wiring, but when something unusual happens, they cannot trace the real cause. That’s where experience makes all the difference.
Back to the Damai Perdana Electrical Troubleshooting
When we arrived at the customer’s house, the first thing we did was open up the DB box for inspection. Straight away, we began tightening every single screw inside the PVC DB box. Loose connections may look small, but they are one of the biggest hidden dangers. A loose wire can easily create sparks, generate heat, or even lead to a fire if left unchecked.
As we continued our inspection, we noticed something more worrying. The main switch wasn’t functioning properly, and the RCCB also failed to work the way it should. These are two of the most critical safety components in any home electrical system. If the main switch and RCCB are not working correctly, the entire household is exposed to electrical hazards without any real protection.
The main switch acts as the master control of your home’s electrical system. It allows you to cut power to the entire house with a single action, which is essential during maintenance, repairs, or emergencies. A properly functioning main switch prevents overheating, sparks, and potential fires by giving you a quick way to shut everything down before a minor problem turns dangerous. Without it, you lose the ability to safely isolate electricity in critical situations.
The RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker), on the other hand, is designed to protect people from electric shock. It constantly monitors the flow of current and trips immediately if it detects leakage such as electricity escaping to the ground through faulty wiring or a person coming into contact with a live current. In simple terms, the main switch protects your home from fire hazards, while the RCCB protects your family from electrocution. Together, they form an important safety layers in your DB box.
After finishing the DB box inspection, we moved on to the next step, which was to check the fuses. These fuses are located below the TNB meter and are very important for protecting the house from overcurrent. Making sure the fuses are in good condition is one of the key steps to prevent electrical problems and keep the home safe. There are three fuses in total. We opened the cover and checked the condition of each wire and its connection. The red phase was fine, the yellow phase got some loose screws and the blue phase got more serious problems, the wire was loose, slightly burnt and the fuse was broken. The fuse cover was also broken and could not be tightened, so we had no choice but to help the customer replace it with a new one. We also used a multimeter to check the incoming TNB supply and the outgoing connections. The voltage readings were normal, showing that the electrical supply was stable. (At this stage, we already suspected that the blue phase was causing the problem.)
Faulty Alarm Wiring Causing Light Issues
Next, we replaced the 3-pole main switch/isolator and the 4-pole RCCB. After that, we turned on all the MCBs for the red and yellow phases, while all the MCBs under the blue phase remained off. We then turned on all the lights, water heaters, washing machine, fridge, air-conditioners and fans. So far, everything was working fine. We noticed that the problem appliances, including the ceiling fan, stand fan, downlights and the master bedroom lights, were all connected under the blue phase. After we turned on the blue phase, the alarm immediately triggered and made a loud noise, and the lights in the small living hall could not be turned on. Upon checking, we found that the alarm system was actually tapped from the light switch. After we removed the alarm wire, the lights could be turned on without any problem.
Find Hidden Electrical Problems with Thermal Inspection
The final step is to turn on everything in the house, lights, fans, air conditioners, water heaters, TVs, washing machines, rice cookers, microwaves and ovens. We let all appliances run for about ten minutes to make sure every circuit is under normal operating load. This helps us identify any weak points in the wiring, overloaded circuits or appliances that may be drawing excessive current. Observing the system under full load gives a realistic picture of how the home’s electrical setup performs in daily use. Sometimes, when appliances run for a few minutes, the wires can get hot. If the insulation on these wires is worn or damaged, it can cause leakage of current. In such cases, the RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker) will trip to protect the home from electric shock and potential fire hazards. An RCCB trips to keep you safe from electric shocks. It will switch off the power if electricity leaks from a wire or faulty appliance, for example, if a live wire touches water or damaged insulation.
Once everything has been running, we perform a thermographic inspection. Using a infrared thermal imaging camera, we scan wires, sockets, switches and distribution boards for hotspots or abnormal temperature changes that may indicate potential faults. We usually offer thermographic inspection for homes at a price of RM 650 – RM 1500, depending on the size and complexity of the electrical system. But for this customer in Damai Perdana, we provided the service completely free of charge as a special courtesy.
Professional Wiring Troubleshooting in KL & Selangor
Electrical problems at home can be more serious than they seem. Flickering lights, tripping circuits, malfunctioning alarm systems, or appliances that stop working unexpectedly are all signs that your wiring may have hidden issues. Ignoring these problems can put your home and family at risk of fire, electric shock, or costly damage to your appliances.
If you notice any unusual behaviour in your electrical system, don’t wait until it becomes dangerous. Call Alex now at 012-870 2699 for expert inspection and repair services in KL and Selangor. With years of experience in diagnosing and fixing all types of wiring problems, I can identify the root cause, repair faulty components, and make sure your electrical system is safe and reliable.
Your home’s safety and peace of mind are our top priority. Let us handle the hard work so you can enjoy a worry-free electrical system. Contact Alex at 012-870 2699 today for fast, professional, and dependable service.
