XN000022-1992-12-02 — Page 27

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1992

PROGRAMME TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON ELECTRICITY UPGRADING

THE GOVERNMENT WILL LAUNCH A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC THE VOLTAGE UPGRADING PROGRAMME TO BE CARRIED OUT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

UNDER THE CONVERSION PROGRAMME, THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY VOLTAGES IN HONG KONG WILL BE UPGRADED FROM THE EXISTING 200 VOLTS AND 346 VOLTS TO 220 VOLTS AND 380 VOLTS RESPECTIVELY.

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GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) POINTED OUT THAT UPGRADING PROGRAMME WOULD BRING HONG KONG INTO LINE WITH THE SYSTEM WHICH WAS MOSTLY USED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

"THIS CAREFULLY CONTROLLED PROGRAMME WOULD CAUSE AS LITTLE INCONVENIENCE AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT NO ONE WOULD NEED TO ENTER HOMES TO CARRY OUT THE CONVERSION AND THE CHANGEOVER WOULD COST ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS NOTHING.

HR POINTED OUT THAT AFTER THE CONVERSION, THE FIRST THING CONSUMERS WOULD NOTICE WAS THAT LIGHT BULBS WOULD GIVE OUT MORE LIGHT.

"MOST HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT IS ALREADY RATED AT 220 VOLTS, SO IT WILL OPERATE AT PEAK EFFICIENCY."

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"AFTER THE CHANGE, IT WILL BE WORKING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO AND WILL ALSO GIVE A BETTER PERFORMANCE, HE EXPLAINED, ADDING THAT BECAUSE OF THE OVERALL BETTER PERFORMANCE, CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT NOTICE ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN ELECTRICITY BILLS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID EXISTING HOUSEHOLDS' WIRING WAS ADEQUATE FOR THE UPGRADED VOLTAGE.

"IF YOUR APPLIANCES AND WIRING OPERATE SAFELY AT THE EXISTING VOLTAGE, THERE SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER. BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS, YOU SHOULD CONSULT A REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, HE SAID.

REGARDING OLDER APPLIANCES RATED AT 200 VOLTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY WOULD STILL FUNCTION SAFELY AND SATISFACTORILY.

HE SAID THE INCREASE IN VOLTAGE WOULD NOT POSE ANY ADDITIONAL DANGER PROVIDED THAT ALL THE USUAL PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN.

"IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, YOUR FUSES AND OTHER PROTECTIVE DEVICES WILL WORK JUST AS BEFORE," HE SAID.

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"NO ADDITIONAL SUPPLY CUTOFF WILL BE REQUIRED FOR CONVERSION TO TAKE PLACE SINCE THE VOLTAGE UPGRADING WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, TOGETHER WITH THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY'S ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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