Japanese government officials are turning to technology to help control disasters caused by earthquakes. They're looking at circuit breakers that automatically shut down in response to movement, reducing the risk of fire.
Members of an expert panel have been tasked with evaluating the technology. The breakers automatically stop the flow of electricity when they detect strong tremors. The panel has drawn up testing guidelines to determine if the breakers perform correctly. The devices must shut down when there's a strong jolt but keep lights on so people can evacuate.
(Ai Sekizawa / Panel leader)
"Quake-sensitive breakers should be introduced as soon as possible to prevent fires in a massive earthquake, especially in areas with a lot of wooden houses."
A major earthquake struck Kobe, in western Japan, 20 years ago. Government officials estimate that more than 60 percent of the fires that broke out after were caused by electrical appliances.
◆turn to ～に関心を向ける、～を頼る
◆circuit breakers 回路遮断器、ブレーカー
◆panel 委員会、何らかの判断をする一団
◆detect 感知する
◆tremor 揺れ、地震
◆jolt 急激な揺れ、地震
◆evacuate 避難する
◆massive 大規模な
◆breake out 火事などが）突然起こる
◆electrical appliances 電気器具、電気製品
