As Telangana witnesses a string of devastating fires attributed to “short circuits”, officials and electrical experts say the term often masks a far deeper problem — ageing wiring, overloaded electrical systems, substandard materials and years of neglected maintenance quietly building up behind walls before disaster strikes.

The issue has come into focus following several recent incidents, including the house fire in Miryalguda that triggered a cylinder blast and claimed three lives; a blaze at a helmet shop in Ameerpet and a fatal fire at a residential complex in TNGOs Colony, Gachibowli.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), of the 5,971 fire accidents in the country in 2024, electrical short circuits accounted for 1,042 incidents. The fires claimed 1,012 lives and left 52 people injured.

“People continue using ageing wiring in buildings while adding more air conditioners, refrigerators, lighting systems and other high-power appliances. Eventually, the electrical system is carrying far more load than it was originally designed for,” said a senior official from the State Fire Department.

Assess every 10-15 years

S. Viswa, a Hyderabad-based electrician, said houses and commercial establishments that are 10 to 15 years old should ideally be assessed for rewiring, but many owners postpone the work because of the cost involved. “They assume the wiring is fine because the lights and fans are still working,” he said.

₹80,000 and ₹90,000 for rewiring 1BHK

According to him, a complete high-quality rewiring job for a typical one-bedroom flat could cost between ₹80,000 and ₹90,000 depending on the fittings and appliances involved. The same work can often be completed for ₹40,000 to ₹60,000 using cheaper materials.

“People often ask for the cheapest quotation and say rewiring isn’t necessary. They think we are quoting more to make money. We can only recommend what is safest. The difference ultimately comes down to the quality of cables, switches, conduits and protective devices being used,” he explained.

He said improper wiring for air conditioners is one of the most common mistakes seen in homes. A 1-tonne or 1.5-tonne air conditioner should ideally have a dedicated 2.5 sq mm cable connected directly from the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), while a 2-tonne unit should be connected using a 4 sq mm cable.

Cheaper variants too stocked in markets

A walk through electrical stores across Hyderabad, including the popular Troop Bazar in Koti, revealed cable “bundles” being sold for under ₹2,000. Shopkeepers said demand drives the market mix. “Not everyone is ready to buy branded products, so we also stock cheaper variants for them,” one trader said.

The widespread availability of low-cost electrical materials has also raised concerns about compliance with safety standards.

BIS specifications

According to the Electricity department, cables and wires used in domestic and commercial installations are required to conform to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications and carry ISI certification. General wiring (PVC-insulated cables up to 1.1 kV) must comply with IS 694 standards, while heavier installations follow standards such as IS 1554 and IS 7098. Fire-retardant and low-smoke halogen-free cables are mandatory for new installations, particularly in commercial buildings and high-rises.

The standards prescribe everything from conductor purity and insulation thickness to heat resistance and fire performance. However, officials acknowledge that cheaper and substandard alternatives continue to find their way into installations.

Regulatory blind spot

While installations above 11 kV undergo inspection and certification by the Electricity department, most residential buildings and smaller commercial establishments rely largely on self-certification and owner responsibility.

“A licensed supervisor or certified supplier has to be engaged by the owner to ensure compliance. But most installations are never subjected to routine inspection after they are commissioned,” a senior official from the Department of Electrical Inspectorate said.

Under Rule 46 of the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956, electrical installations are required to undergo inspection and testing at intervals not exceeding five years. After around 15 years, officials recommend annual inspections because wiring systems begin to approach the end of their service life.

Rising temperatures are adding another layer of risk. Most electrical cables are designed around an ambient temperature of about 40°C, but several parts of Telangana now regularly experience summer temperatures of 46°C to 47°C.

“When cables operate beyond their design conditions, overheating becomes more likely and insulation can deteriorate faster,” the official said.

Published – June 06, 2026 01:13 pm IST