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Contractor's error fries electronics in 1,000 Shilin homes

An error on the part of a Taiwan Power Co contractor fried electronic devices in almost 1,000 Taipei households early yesterday morning.

Instead of supplying electricity at 110 volts, the default voltage in households in this country, the contractor supplied electricity in the Shilin area at 220 volts, causing dramatic damage to everything from air conditioners to computers to hot water heaters.

An area resident surnamed Wang (汪) said he suddenly saw smoke rising from his bedside stereo after the electricity went out shortly after 1am.

"Sparks flew like fireworks and my room was full of black smoke," he said.

Many businesses were closed yesterday as equipment, including computers storing valuable information, was broken.

More than 300 Shilin residents attended a public meeting led by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei City Councilor Lai Su-ju (賴素如) on the incident.

Taiwan Power representatives apologized and explained that the contractor had thrown the wrong switches, resulting in the incorrect voltage.

Residents should take pictures of damaged items and keep receipts for repairs to seek compensation. The company can be reached at (02) 2882-1221 ext.580.
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