Tanzania Wiring Standards

I'm unfamiliar with details, but hospital receptacles and other wiring entail special care with regard to ground faults, because patients may be hooked up to various electrical devices. Sockets (receptacles) are a special Hospital Grade, for example. I think there is a separate section in the electrical codes regarding this.

Check with the source:

Tanzania Bureau of Standards

Your concern is justified. I lived in Tanzania for 5 years and know whereof you speak. The project that I was working on built two houses - one for me and one for a co-worker. My co-worker's house, although mains connected lacked power at receptacles and strange voltages presented at light sockets. After two days of work the government electrician (in those far-off days all houses became the property of the government - Msajili wa Majumba - or something like that) had failed to solve the problem. I was asked to have a look. The departed electrician had left his tool bag on the floor in the hall. I had a look in the bag. It contained two items - a claw hammer and a bananna.

We engaged the services of a competent electrician and the problem was solved within about an hour.

Tanzanian codes are congruent with those of the UK - if not the same codes.

I don't think that codes are going to help you.

You need to find an electrician and insist that UK standards be met.

I'm living in Tanzania. We are using UK standards, i think you just need to insist on that, no less no more.

I'm living in Tanzania. We are using UK standards, i think you just need to insist on that, no less no more

Hi Hillfelly,

Good reply! Historically Zimbabwe,Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & most of the East African countries fell under the British Colonial Government and so therefore the majority of their wiring codes and regulations are inherited from those times. These may have been revised and republished since that time, but basically are the same as the existing British Codes.

Of course, there may very well be several regional supply authority codes plus municipal codes that also apply.

I believe that your comment that the Standards should be insisted on (no less & no more) is good advice.

There is however another problem here in Africa (possibly around the world looking at some of the posts on this site) where there are a lot of 'Wannabes' with really basic skills and knowledge who are getting involved in electrical installations (some very complex installations as well) and the problem seen in the original question should have been addressed prior to commencement of the work - Specifications??

Another job that has been poorly planned, poorly supervised and poorly executed but excellently complained about - Amazing!