Simple Safety Rules

As any professional will tell you, keeping the equipment in prestine condition is vital for avoiding accidents. Before starting on your DIY project, remember these safety tips.

[edit] Always

• Arrange for proper maintenance of equipment, loads and wires with careful follow-up to see to it that insulation is in proper conditions. Loose conductors can cause serious electrical accidents.

• Let qualified men inspect the electicals periodically to ensure everything is up-to-par. Better still have a professional inspect your handywork before switching on the power.

[edit] The Do's

• Plan ahead for every job

• Think about all the scenarios when something could go wrong.

• Use the right tools for the job

• Follow any manuals, drawings or other documents supplied as guidelines when doing the job.

• Shut-off the power supply before dismantly the electrical equipment.

• Identify the electrical shod and arc flash, as well as other hazards that might be present.

• Minimize the hazard by guarding or establishing approach limitations.

• Test every circuit and every conductor before you touch the electical equipment to make sure the power is off.

• Use the proper instrument to test the circuits.

• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) like rubber gloves, rubber mats, rubber blankets, fuse tongs, insulated tools etc when dealing with electricity.

• Use warning or safety signs and rope off or barricade the working area, especially when children are around.

• Always protect electrical cords and cables from physical damage.

• The frames or cases of all electrical equipment or structures should be substantially grounded. The ground wire should be of low resistance and large enough to resist mechanical breakage and to carry off the heaviest current flow that might result from any insulation breakdown or other accidents.

• When installing temporary electrical wiring or equipment, make the job safe for everyone.

• Lock open main switches and place tags before working on power circuits.

• Before closing a switch, make certain everyone is away from the circuits.

• Finally make sure you are properly trained and qualified to undertake this job.

[edit] The Dont's

• Never work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that makes you drowsy.

• Don't guess whether a circuit is live (energized) or not. Consider every equipment/line energized until proven otherwise.

• Never touch any wire of a circuit unless you are certain that it is de-energized.

• Never bridge a fuse with wire or other metal.

• Don't work alone on any electrical equipment/circuits with more than 50 volts. The buddy system of working on electrical lines, installations is the best and safest way.

• Don't test power lines with lamps to determine whether they are energized. A 110-volt line will blow-up. Use realiable circuit or voltage testers for testing or identifying circuits.