Seocho District Installs Electric Cutoff Devices on Security Light Wires to Prevent Electric Shock and Fire

Seocho District Launches Nation's First Project to Install Safety Devices

Seocho District in Seoul is enhancing alleyway safety by becoming the first in the country to install electric cutoff safety devices on overhead wires connected to security lights.

Comparison before and after the installation of the barrier gate. Provided by Seocho District.

Security lights are facilities installed on streets less than 12 meters wide, such as alleys in residential areas or dark open spaces, to assist nighttime passage. While the wiring for streetlights installed on roadways or sidewalks is often buried underground, security lights are mostly installed on narrow roads or alleys in residential neighborhoods, so their power lines are usually exposed overhead. These overhead wires are vulnerable to external environmental factors and, in the event of a breakage accident, pose significant risks such as electric shock to residents and workers.

In response, Seocho District began installing circuit breakers at the starting points of overhead security light wires this month. These devices immediately cut off the current in various situations, such as vehicle contact, falling branches, or maintenance work, thereby preventing safety accidents like electric shock or fire.

The district has initially selected high-risk sections as pilot areas, such as places where overhead wires cross roads or where security lights are obscured by trees, to install the circuit breakers. It plans to expand the installation to all areas in the future.

Seocho District Mayor Jeon Sungsoo stated, "The installation of these safety devices is a measure to prevent accidents related to security lights in advance and to allow residents to walk the streets with peace of mind," adding, "We will continue to thoroughly address even minor risk factors to ensure the safety of our residents."