Safety

Safe work environment is not always enough to control all potential electrical hazards. You must be cautious and careful. Safety rules helps to protect you and others from the risk of injury or death from work hazards.

If you are working on electrical circuits or with electrical tools and equipment, you need to follow the following golden safety rules

Electrical Golden Safety Rules

• Avoid contact with energized electrical circuits. Please don’t make fun of this rule if you already know this (and you probably already know if you are reading these lines) and remember that if something bad occurs, you probably won’t have second chance.
• Treat all electrical devices as if they are live or energized. You never can know.
• Disconnect the power source before servicing or repairing any electrical equipment.

That’s the only way to be sure.

• Use only tools and equipment with non-conducting handles when working on electrical devices.

Very easy to check.

• Never use metallic pencils or rulers or wear rings or metallic watchbands when working with electrical equipment. This rule is very easy to forget, especially when you are showing some electrical part pointing with metallic pencil.

Always be aware.

• When it is necessary to handle equipment that is plugged in, be sure hands are dry and, when possible, wear non conductive gloves, protective clothes and shoes with insulated soles.

Remember: gloves, clothes and shoes.

• If it is safe to do so, work with only one hand, keeping the other hand at your side or in your pocket, away from all conductive material. This precaution reduces the likelihood of accidents that result in current passing through the chest cavity.

If you ever read about current passing through human body you will know. So remember – work with one hand only.

• Minimize the use of electrical equipment in cold rooms or other areas where condensation is likely. If equipment must be used in such areas, mount the equipment on a wall or vertical panel.
• If water or a chemical is spilled onto equipment, shut off power at the main switch or circuit breaker and unplug the equipment.

Very logical. NEVER try to remove water or any liquid from equipment when energized.

• If an individual comes in contact with a live electrical conductor, do not touch the equipment, cord or person. Disconnect the power source from the circuit breaker or pull out the plug using a leather belt.

Tricky situation, and you must be very calm in order not to make the situation even worse.

Like in previous rules – Always disconnect the power FIRST.

• Equipment producing a “tingle” sound should be disconnected and reported promptly for repair.
• Do not rely on grounding to mask a defective circuit nor attempt to correct a fault by insertion of another fuse or breaker, particularly one of larger capacity.
• Drain capacitors before working near them and keep the short circuit on the terminals during work to prevent electrical shock.
• Never touch another person’s equipment or electrical control devices unless instructed to do so.

Don’t be too smart. Don’t try your luck.

• Enclose all electric contacts and conductors so that no one can accidentally come in contact with them.

If applicable do it always, if not be very careful.

• Never handle electrical equipment when hands, feet, or body are wet or perspiring, or when standing on a wet floor.

Remember: Gloves and shoes

• When it is necessary to touch electrical equipment (for example, when checking for overheated motors), use the back of the hand. Thus, if accidental shock were to cause muscular contraction, you would not “freeze” to the conductor.
• Do not store highly flammable liquids near electrical equipment.
• Be aware that interlocks on equipment disconnect the high voltage source when a cabinet door is open but power for control circuits may remain on.

Read the single line diagram and wiring schemes – know your switchboard. 

• De-energize open experimental circuits and equipment that are not needed.
• Do not wear loose clothing or ties near electrical equipment.