Electrical Safety

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Chapter : Electrical Safety

ELECTRICITY

Electricity is a fundamental part of modern life, powering everything from homes and industries to technology and transportation. Here are some key aspects of electricity:

Electricity is a form of energy that is generated by the movement of charged particles, such as electrons. It can be produced through various means, including:

1. Fossil Fuels: Burning coal, natural gas, and oil to generate electricity.
2. Nuclear Power: Using nuclear reactions to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.
3. Renewable Energy: Harnessing energy from sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power.

Key Concepts:

1. Voltage: The potential difference between two points in a circuit, measured in volts (V).
2. Current: The flow of electrons through a circuit, measured in amperes (A).
3. Resistance: The opposition to the flow of current, measured in ohms (Ω).
4. Power: The rate at which electrical energy is transferred, measured in watts (W).

Applications of Electricity:

1. Residential: Lighting, heating, cooling, and powering appliances in homes.
2. Industrial: Powering machinery, manufacturing processes, and transportation systems.
3. Transportation: Electric vehicles, trains, and other forms of transportation.
4. Technology: Powering electronic devices, computers, and communication systems.

Safety and Efficiency:

1. Electrical Safety: Precautions to prevent electrical shock, fires, and other hazards.
2. Energy Efficiency: Using energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and systems to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.

Innovations and Future Directions:

1. Renewable Energy: Increasing adoption of solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.
2. Energy Storage: Developing technologies to store electrical energy for later use.
3. Smart Grids: Advanced grid management systems that optimize energy distribution and consumption.

What specific aspect of electricity would you like to know more about?

Electrical Safety

A flip of a switch, a click of a button, a turn of a knob – most of us could not get through the day without using something that requires electricity. We use this powerful resource so easily that we often forget the power and potential danger that it poses if used incorrectly. Electrical energy can ignite fires, cause electrical shock and burns – and even kill.
 
Electrical safety is the personal responsibility of every individual, both at home and at work. Those who work in elevator industry are at risk of injury from electricity during

• Taking temporary power supply while installing elevators
• Using powered hand tools
• While working near live parts without switching off the supply etc., Besides the risk to personnel, electricity is a potential source of ignition and a spark, arc or heat created by electricity can ignite flammable gases and combustible mists.

Copy machines, computers, lights, power and extension cords are all sources of electrical hazards in the workplace. Combustible and flammable materials near electricity can also contribute to office fires. Faulty fixtures, electrical signs and cords and plugs also can cause fires.
 
Fire is not the only potential hazard of electricity. Current from electrical equipment can flow through your body to the ground, causing an electrical shock. It only takes a small amount of electrical current (in milliamperes) to hurt or kill you. A small emergency light, for example, that draw just 50 milliamperes of energy can cause a shock that could be fatal.

How badly an electrical shock injure you depends on several factors:

• The amount of current that passes through the body
• The duration of contact with the power source
• The area of contact with the conductive surface
• The degree of pressure on the contact surface
• The amount of moisture on the skin, and
• The route or path of the electrical current through the body to the ground

Understanding how dangerous electricity can be is only first step towards electrical safety. You can greatly reduce your exposure to electrical hazards by following sound electrical safety practices.
 
Working on or near energised equipment
 
Take these precautions before working on or near energised equipment.

• De-energise the electrical equipment before starting maintenance, repair or testing.
• Electrically test and ground, the equipment, where appropriate, before working on it.
• Use proper grounding techniques for any operation where static electricity could become an ignition source.
• De-energise all overhead power lines; visibly guard them whenever contact is possible. Make sure that all ladders, vehicles, cranes, mechanical equipment or scaffolds are located at a safe distance from overhead power lines.

Electrical cords and temporary wiring

Take these precautions when working with electrical cords and temporary wiring:

• Check and replace defective cords and plugs. Look for frayed wiring, loose connections, or cracked insulation.
• Keep some slack in flexible cords to prevent tension on electrical connections.
• Do not splice cords. Use only approved ends and connection devices.
• Install permanent wiring when use is not temporary. Extension cords are for emergency use only.

Equipment and tool grounding
 
Take these precautions when working with electrical equipment and tools:

• Verify that all tools and equipment are grounded. Portable hand tools not manufactured with means of grounding should be double-insulated.
• Ground exposed parts of fixed equipment that could become energised.
• Use shields, barriers, barricades with signs to prevent accidental contact.
• Never expose electrical equipment or power cords to water.
• Replace any equipment that sparks, stalls or runs hot.

Office electrical safety
 
Take these precautions when at the office:

• Ensure that cords are not twisted or overloaded by plugging too many appliances into an outlet.
• Avoid plugging one extension cord into another.
• Do not pinch extension cords under or behind furniture.
• Keep heat-producing appliances away from anything that might catch fire.
• Leave space for air to circulate around heat-producing electrical equipment such as copy machines and computers.
• Designate an employee to turn off and unplug all appliances at the end of each workday.
• Immediately report any damaged or defective equipment, tools, machinery, or wiring and remove it from service, if possible.