Electrical Hazards

Eng. Ameen Quran

1
 OBJECTIVES
• Given information regarding electrical safety,
various examples, and realistic work scenarios,
• The student shall be able to identify and
describe electrical hazards and precautions
that should be taken to avoid injury in the
workplace

2
Why is Electrical Safety so Important?
• Electrical hazards have always been
recognized, yet serious injuries, deaths, and
property damage occur daily.
• Electrical Safety is not an option, it is
absolutely necessary for workers and
employers alike.
• The following table demonstrates the
importance of electrical safety.
Why is Electrical Safety so Important?
 Electricity Basics
• Ohm’s Law:
• The Current (I) in Amperes is equal to the
electromotive force, or Voltage (V) divided by the
Resistance (R) in “ohms.”
• Even the simplest electrical system can become
dangerous. Unless proper procedures are
founded, personnel installing or servicing these
systems are frequently exposed to the hazards of
shock, arc flash and arc blast. Eliminating and/or
reducing these hazards require a basic knowledge
of electric circuits.
 Electricity Basics
• The following is a brief overview.
• Electricity can be defined as the flow of electrons
through a conductor. This is similar to the flow of
water through a pipe. Electromotive force,
measured in volts, causes the current to flow
similar to a pump moving water. The higher the
water pressure and the larger the pipes, the
greater the water flow. In electrical circuits the
rate of current flow is measured in amperes,
similar to gallons of water per second. below
figure illustrates a simple circuit.
Electricity Basics
Electricity Basics
 Electricity Basics
• When two of the variables are known, the third can be
easily determined using mathematical equations.
Current seeks the path of least resistance; whether it is
a conductor, the ground, or a human body. For
example, at a given voltage, the higher the resistance is
the lower the current will be. The lower the resistance
is, the higher the current will be. Materials that have
very low resistance such as metals like copper and
aluminum are termed conductors, while non-metallic
materials like rubber, plastics, or ceramics that have
very high resistance are termed insulators.
 Electricity Basics
• Conductors are usually insulated to confine current to
its intended path and to help prevent electrical shock
and fires. Conductor cross-section and material
determine its resistance.
• Current produces heat as a function of current squared
X resistance (I2R).
• The NEC publishes tables that show the rated current
carrying capacity of various sizes and types of
conductors (wire and cables).
• Currents that exceed the rating of the conductor
increase temperature and decrease insulation life.
 Types of Electrical Faults
• Together, current and voltage supply the power we use
every day. Any electric current that exceeds the rating
of the circuit is an Over current.
• When the current exceeds the rated current carrying
capacity of the conductor, it generates excess heat that
can damage insulation. If insulation becomes damaged,
personnel may be severely injured and equipment or
property compromised or destroyed.
• Over currents can be divided into two categories:
Overloads and Short Circuits.
 Types of Electrical Faults
• An Overload is defined as an over current that is confined
to the normal current path. Excessive connected loads,
motors, overloaded machine tools, etc. can overload a
circuit.
• Most conductors can carry a moderate overload for a short
duration without damage. In fact, transient moderate
overloads are part of normal operation. Startup or
temporary surge currents for motors, pumps, or
transformers are common examples. Over current
protection must be selected that will carry these currents.
However, if the overload continues for too long, excessive
heat will be generated ultimately causing insulation failure.
This may result in fires or lead to a short circuit.
Types of Electrical Faults
 Types of Electrical Faults
• A Short Circuit is any current not confined to the normal
path. The term comes from the fact that such currents
bypass the normal load (it finds a “short” path around the
load). Usually, when a current is greater than 6 times the
normal current, it should be removed as quickly as possible
from the circuit. Short Circuits are usually caused by
accidental contact or worn insulation and are more serious
than overloads. Damage occurs almost instantly. Examples
of Short Circuits include two or more conductors
accidentally touching, someone touching or dropping tools
across energized conductors or accidental connection
between energized conductors and ground. Such ground
faults may vary from a few amperes to the maximum
available short circuit fault current.
Types of Electrical Faults
 Over current Protective Devices
• Always use over current protective devices
that have interrupting ratings greater than the
maximum available fault current of your
electrical system.
• Over current protective devices (fuses and
circuit breakers) are used to protect circuits
and equipment against overloads and short
circuits (faults). These devices vary in
characteristic, design and function.
 Over current Protective Devices
• Fuses and circuit breakers are designed to
sense abnormal overloads and short circuits
and open the circuit before catastrophic
events occur. Each device, however, has
different time characteristics and must be
used and applied according to the appropriate
standards and manufacturer’s
recommendations for the individual
application.
 Over current Protective Devices
• Fuses and circuit breakers must be able to
recognize the difference between normal current
variations that pose no threat to equipment, and
dangerous overloads or short circuits that can
cause extensive damage to equipment and
compromise safety. Not all devices are designed
to protect against both overloads and short
circuits. Most motor starters provide only
overload protection, while some circuit breakers
provide only short-circuit protection.
 Over current Protective Devices
• Over current protective devices should be
selected carefully to make sure they will open
the circuit safely under any abnormal over
current condition. Interrupting ratings and
opening times, especially under short-circuit
conditions, must also be carefully observed.
Failure to select the properly rated over
current protective device can result in fires,
explosions, and death.