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Electrical Safety
Electrical Safety
ELECTRICAL TERMS
Current -- electrical movement (measured in amps) Circuit -- complete path of the current. Includes electricity source, a conductor, and the output device or load (such as a lamp, tool, or heater) Resistance -- restriction to electrical flow
Conductors substances, like metals, with little resistance to electricity that allow electricity to flow
Grounding a conductive connection to the earth which acts as a protective measure Insulators -- substances with high resistance to electricity like glass, porcelain, plastic, and dry wood that prevent electricity from getting to unwanted areas
ELECTRICAL INJURIES
There are four main types of electrical injuries: Direct:
Electrocution or death due to electrical shock Electrical shock Burns
Indirect - Falls
ELECTRICAL SHOCK
An electrical shock is received when electrical current passes through the body.
You will get an electrical shock if a part of your body completes an electrical circuit by Touching a live wire and an electrical ground, or Touching a live wire and another wire at a different voltage.
SHOCK SEVERITY
Severity of the shock depends on:
Path of current through the body Ear to ear 100 ohms Hand to foot 500 ohms Dry skin- 350 K ohm Wet skin-1000 ohm
SHOCK SEVERITY
Amount of current flowing through the body (amps) Depends on The voltage of the source Body resistance along the current path The current capacity of the source
an automobile ignition system puts out approximately 30,000 volts but the current capacity of the source is well below lethal current levels at the opposite extreme touching a 30 vlts battery with a high current capacity can result in death.
SHOCK SEVERITY
Duration of the shocking current through the body,
EFFECTS
8 mA to 15 mA 15 mA to 20 mA
As the current rises, the shock becomes more severe. Below 20 mA, breathing becomes labored; it ceases completely even at values below 75 mA. As the current approaches 100 mA ventricular fibrillation occurs. This is an uncoordinated twitching of the walls of the heart's ventricles
it is necessary to perform artificial respiration to try to get the person breathing again; or if the heart is not beating, cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is necessary. Artificial ventilation should be given only when the breathing has stopped. Do not give artificial ventilation to any person who is breathing naturally
The comparison between the dangers of alternating current and direct current has been a subject of debate. DC tends to cause continuous muscular contractions that make the victim hold on to a live conductor, thereby increasing the risk of deep tissue burns. On the other hand, mains-frequency AC tends to interfere more with the heart's electrical pacemaker, leading to an increased risk of fibrillation. AC at higher frequencies holds a different mixture of hazards, such as RF burns and the possibility of tissue damage with no immediate sensation of pain. Generally, higher frequency AC current tends to run along the skin rather than penetrating and touching vital organs such as the heart. While there will be severe burn damage at higher voltages, it is normally not fatal.
BURNS
Most common shock-related injury
Occurs when you touch electrical wiring or equipment that is improperly used or maintained
Typically occurs on hands Very serious injury that needs immediate attention
FALLS
Electric shock can also cause indirect injuries Workers in elevated locations who experience a shock may fall, resulting in serious injury or death
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
ELECTRIC SHOCK ELECTRICAL BURNS FIRE AND EXPLOSION FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT CONTROL INADVERTANT START OF MACHINE FALL OF PERSON DUE TO SHOCK CANCER DUE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS LIGHTINING STROKE
OVER CONFIDENCE
POOR SUPERVISION
LACK OF EARTHING
POOR ILLUMINATION INSULATION FAILURE SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL LIVE CONDUCTOR TOUCHING ENCLOSURE OVERLOADING IN CORRECT FUSES WRONG SETTING OF RELAYS POOR MAINTENANCE STATIC ELECTRICITY
LOOSE CONTACT
VIBRATION ENTRY OF INSECTS AND LIZARDS TRACKING THROUGH DIRTY AND MOISTURE INSULATION SURFACES AGING
STATIC ELECTRICITY
Static electricity is often created when two objects that are not good electrical conductors are rubbed together, and electrons from one of the objects rub off onto the other. This happens, for example, when combing one's hair or taking off a sweater. Sudden releases of built-up static electricity can take the form of an electric arc .
Positive ions Negative ions Flow of liquid hydrocarbons Movement of belt away from the pulley Risk of fire can be avoided by providing conducting path for flow of static charges or by eliminating flammable Atmosphere
DOUBLE INSULATED TOOLS-SECOND LAYER OF INSULATION PROTECTIVE INSULATION-INTERPOSED BETWEEN FUNCTIONAL INSULATION AND ACCESSIBLE METAL PARTS
ALL INSULATION APPLIANCES-COPLETE OUTER CASE OF EQUIPMENT-NOT REQUIRED EARTHING
INCREASED SAFETY-DESIGNED SUCH THAT TEMP. RISE IS 10 DEG. C LESS THAN THAT NORMALLY PERMITTED FOR THAT CLASS
NON SPARKING-ADEQUATE CREEPAGE AND CLEARANCES/SPECIALLY EMBEDDED ROTOR BARS AND RINGS/RESTRICTION OF SURFACE TEMP PRESSURISED-ENCLOSED IN A HOUSING THAT IS MAINTAINED AT A HIGHER PRESSURE THAN ATMOSPHERIC BY AIR/INERT GAS
INTRINSIC SAFETY-DESIGNED SUCH THAT THE ENERGY /SPARK PRODUCED UNDER NORMAL/ABNORMAL CONDITIONS IS VERY LOW AND IGNITION WILL NOT TAKES PLACE-LOW VOLTAGE CIRCUITS
Replace covers
Guard live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 Volts or more against accidental contact
Conductors going into them must be protected, and unused openings must be closed
Use wood or fiberglass ladders, not metal Power line workers need special training & PPE
STEP POTENTIAL
Step Potential: Voltage between the feet of a person
When current is flowing from
TOUCH POTENTIAL
Touch Potential: Voltage between energized object and feet of a person
If the ground connection between the tower and the soil is high resistance (common with some soil conditions), the tower itself (and any conductive item touching the tower) can be energized. Touch potential is the voltage between the energized object and the feet of a person in contacT.t with the object.
& tools
GROUNDING
Grounding creates a low
Resistance path from a tool To the earth to disperse Unwanted current
Fuses and circuit breakers are overcurrent devices. When too much current:
Fuses melt
TEMPORARY LIGHTS
Protect from contact and damage, and dont suspend by cords unless designed to do so.
Warm tools, wires, cords, connections, or junction boxes GFCI that shuts off a circuit Worn or frayed insulation around wire or connection
Improperly grounded metal switch plates & ceiling lights are especially hazardous in wet conditions.
Wet clothing, high humidity, and perspiration increase your chances of being electrocuted.
Use and test GFCIs Check switches and insulation Use three prong plugs Use extension cords only when
necessary & assure in proper condition and right type for job
TRAINING
Train employees working with electric equipment in safe work practices, including:
De-energize electric equipment before inspecting or repairing
Using cords, cables, and electric tools that are in good repair
Lockout / Tag-out recognition and procedures Use appropriate protective equipment
PROTECTIVE MEASURES Proper grounding Use GFCIs Use fuses and circuit breakers Guard live parts Lockout/tagout Proper use of flexible cords Close electric panels Training
Prevent back feed: While isolating transformers to which potential transformers are connected, the potential transformers shall be isolated and low voltage fuses with drawn to prevent the possibility of the transformers being made live through back feed.
The Transformer shall be isolated from all common neutral earthing equipment from which it may become live. This does not require the disconnection of solidly earthed neutral on which work is to be done.
Fuses on HT side should be replaced after ensuring isolations & valid SWP and after discharging properly by earthing in replacing LT fuses, operator should shield his eyes as far as possible flashes when fuses are common network or paralleled on LT side, caution should be exercised to ensure that there is no possibility of back feed.
All street lighting work of any descriptions on energized lines should be done wearing gloves and taking all necessary precautions. Use safety devices and special tools like rubber gloves, rubber mats, safety belts, insulated hand tools etc. wherever required.
SUMMARY
Electrical equipment must be:
Listed and labeled Free from hazards Used in the proper manner