DUBAI: Experts have warned of fatal risks from exposed outdoor power installations in Sharjah residential areas.
They fear potentially lethal transformers and cables carrying deadly 11,000 volts left within public reach are accidents waiting to happen.
Residents are worried young children playing near the substations are at risk as they are unlikely to recognise safety threats posed by the electrical equipment.
A number of such installations, which are without sheds or enclosures, can be seen close to buildings and streets in localities like Al Taawun, Al Khan and Al Nahda. During a random sweep this week, XPRESS found several instances of cars parked next to unsecured transformers; birds and stray cats were also spotted resting on some parts of the installations.
“Transformers – and all electrical systems – must be kept out of reach by a barrier or obstruction to protect people from risk of electrocution. That’s the rule but there’s unfortunately some laxity in this regard,” said a senior official of an electrical equipment company on condition of anonymity.
Another expert involved in street lighting projects, who did not want to be named, added: “Outdoor transformers, if not left under lock and key, can be dangerous – poor maintenance, vandalism, or extreme weather could compromise the security, exposing people to danger.”
An Indian mother of two young children, who lives in a building close to an uncovered substation in Al Khan, said she has safety concerns. “The school bus drops my children and other kids a few metres from the transformer. I don’t want to imagine how things could go horribly wrong some day, but it’s always there at the back of my mind,” said the 32-year-old mum.
An immediate comment from the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority was not available.
There are roughly 7,000-8,000 transformers in Sharjah, industry professionals estimated. On average, one transformer is used for five villas, and about 15 for every 40-storey tower, which are kept on “technical floors”.
Transformers are designed to reduce the voltage supply for safe use in residential units, from about 11,000 to 400 volts in the UAE.