Safe against shock
Stalking perilous electric current in the floodwater, the FloodDuck could save lives
Not quite as cute as the name implies and certainly not a toy for kids, the FloodDuck could save some lives during the current crisis. The cylindrical plastic case capped with a yellow duck contains circuitry to test the water for dangerous electrical current.
The electrocution deaths of two brothers in high water last month inspired Professor Dusit Sukawat to design the prototype from materials he had at home. Then, with third-year electrical-engineering students, he finished the gadget, which can float well away on its own in search of electrical leaks.
If the FloodDuck finds anything, from 10 to 220 volts, its red LED light is activated.
Dusit, from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Lat Krabang, is giving 1,000 of the ducks to hospitals, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Army and rescue squads.
“We’re trying to develop a better model that can identify five different levels of leaking electrical current,” he says.
With support from the university, private organisations and the government, the ducks are also being made for Bt300 apiece.
“It’s not difficult,” says Krisada Somsup, one of the students. “We have volunteers with no electrical knowledge helping us. Only the processes like testing and soldering have to be done by specialists.”
Krisada says the dirty water engulfing much of the country “is actually a good electrical conductor” because of several elements it contains.
The FloodDuck makers gather every afternoon at the university and form an assembly line whose functions are charted on a whiteboard.
Nichapa Taechathanompong, a 27-year-old hotel receptionist, is among the more experienced volunteers showing the rookies how the parts fit together.
“I wanted to help in the crisis and I saw the FloodDuck page on Facebook. Anyone can help make these, and we still need lots more ducks for people living and doing rescue work in the flooded areas.”
Nuttapatch Chanitsriphoom, 64, is busily installing resistors in the ducks. “I’m a volunteer at Public Health Centre on Soi Ladprao 41,” she says. “I saw the FloodDuck mentioned on TV and realised how useful it could be.”
BUILD A BIRD
<< Help make FloodDucks in Room 311 of the ECC building at King Mongkut in Lad Krabang.
<< Or send them some money via “floodduck54” on Facebook or by calling (088) 873 6859.
