Electricity is the prime mover of every economy; hence there is a need to maintain its generation, distribution and consumption. This study was carried out to appraise the status of electrical wiring in the Isoko area of Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 300 residential buildings, 200 makeshift shops and 100 artisan workshops were sampled and their structures, state of connection, overvoltage protection (cut-out fuse) and earthing were accessed. 100 questionnaires were distributed to electricians involved in electrical wiring and installations in the study area. Results obtained from the questionnaires revealed that only 71% of the residential buildings, 23% of the makeshift shops, and 8% of the artisan workshops made use of electric cables that met the NIS recommendations. For electric cable connections, it was observed that there was a lapse in the connections; mostly in the artisan workshops, as some service cables were not properly tightened to the distribution lines. Only 75% of the residential buildings, 53% of the makeshift shops, and 5% of the artisan workshops had approved rating cut-out fuse. It was observed that in artisan workshops, welding machines were connected directly to the service lines. Furthermore, the results revealed that 42% of the residential buildings, 87% of the makeshift shops and 99% of the artisan’s workshops lacked proper earthing. These results revealed electrical risks in many makeshift shops and artisan workshops and the need for the relevant authorities to act fast to minimize power outrage and prevent electrical tragedies in the study area. Keywords: Artisan, electrical wiring, energy theft, makeshift shops, residential buildings

Effective earthing system is the lifeline of any electrical wiring and installations. This study was done to evaluate the geotechnical (moisture content and electrical conductivity) and electrical properties of soil samples within the school of engineering complex, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Nigeria. All the geotechnical and electrical parameters investigated in this study were done in accordance to ASTM International approved methods. The electrical conductivity meter was used to measure the soil electrical conductivity; while the soil resistance was measure through the Wenner four probes method. Results obtained from but the field and laboratory tests revealed that the soil electrical conductivity, soil moisture content and the soil resistances varied greatly across the study area. The moisture content ranged from 15.48 to 24.45% (wb); while the electrical conductivity ranged between 3.09 and 5.41 dS/m. The results revealed that the soil resistance decreases as the probe distance increased from 5 to 10 m. At 5 m probes distance, the soil resistance varied between 4.8 and 17.2 Ω; at 10 m probes distance, the soil resistance ranged from 2.9 to 14.8Ω; while at 15 m probes distance, the soil resistance fell between 1.5 and 10.5 Ω. In terms of the soil resistivity, the results showed the region with clay soil had the lowest soil resistivity (mean~158.15 Ωm), while the region with the sandy recorded the highest soil resistivity of 820 Ωm. The knowledge of these soil properties is crucial for design of earthing systems for structures within the school of engineering complex. This will help to minimize electrical hazards to both human being and the materials within the complex.