Basic electrical safety
guidelines
Contributed by:
Contagis
1. Safety glasses or
goggles should be worn whenever power tools are used,
especially if you wear contact lenses.
2.
Make sure the power is off at the breaker box before
doing any electrical work.
3. Always work
in a dean, dry area free from anything wet.
4. Wires should only be connected at
accessible junction boxes. Never splice wires together
and conceal them within a wall without a junction box.
5. Never attempt to strip wires with a
knife. Aside from endangering your fingers, you will
nick the wire metal, which will create an electrical
hazard.
6. Ground fault circuit
interrupter out- lets should be used under damp
conditions (basements, bathrooms, out- doors, etc.), as
required by the National Electric Code.
7. Don't create fire hazards by over-
loading an outlet or an extension cord.
8. Avoid electrical shock by mapping and
marking your switch and outlet boxes. Put the map on the
door of the main power service panel.
9.
Leave a warning message that you are working on the
circuit at the service panel, and tape the circuit
breaker in the off position. With a fuse box, take the
fuse out
10. Never change the size of a
fuse or breaker in a circuit.
11. Be
certain your connector is CO/ALR rated when you splice
aluminium wire. If it is marked CU/ALR, use only copper
wire. Do not use aluminium wire with push terminals; use
only copper or copper-dad aluminium wire.
12. Always correct the problem that
caused a fuse or circuit breaker to blow before
replacing the fuse or circuit breaker.
13. Replace wiring that shows signs of
fraying or deterioration.
14. Avoid
breaking your knuckles by bracing the powerful
right-angle drill so that it cannot spin around if it
gets stuck while drilling.
15. Before
working with wires or electrical connections, check them
with a voltage tester to be sure they are dead.
16. Plumbing and gas pipes are often used
to ground electrical systems. Never touch them while
working with electricity.
17. Don't use
metal ladders with over- head electricity.
18. Use the proper protection, take
precautions, and plan ahead.
Never ignore safety to save money or
to rush a project. |
