Electrical Safety Tips

By Author: MattMorgan
Total Articles: 74
Comment this article

Athough there are a number of different safety precautions that you should follow when working with electricity, there are several basics that must always be adhered to when working on any type of electrical system. By following these basic safety rules, you can keep yourself protected while also preventing damage from occuring to your home.

Safety Tip #1: Always Shut Off the Power

Before you begin to work on any electrical project, you need to first shut off the breaker so there is no electricity flowing through the circuit you will be working on. Never talk yourself into thinking that you are working on a simply job without much risk and never convince yourself that you can manage to do the job without allowing certain wires to cross. After turning off the circuit, you might want to post a sign on the breaker box so no one comes along and flips it back on. Or, you may want to lock the panel so no one can tamper with it while you work.

Step #2: Verify the Power is Off

Even if you are certain you have shut off the right breaker, always verify that the breaker is actually off. You should never ...
... trust the diagram or schedule written on the breaker box, as these can be vague and changes may have been made without being updated. Rather, use a voltage tester to make sure the circuit is turned off. If you don't have a voltage tester, you can use a radio or lamp to see if the circuit has any power. Just make sure the lamp or radio is turned on so you get accurate feedback!

Step #3: Never Touch Metal

Metal is also an excellent conductor of electricity. If you touch a live wire while also touching metal, you will increase your chances of gettign shocked significantly.

Step #4: Don't Work on a Wet Floor

Electricity travels easier through water, so you should never stand on a wet floor when doing electrical work. In fact, it is best to lay down some dry boards or a rubber mat to stand on while you work. Similarly, you should not work on an electrical project if you are wet.

Step #5: Avoid Service Panels

It is important to note that the large wire entering the electrical panel from the outside will still be live, even after you shut off the breakers. Therefore, you should never touch these wires and you should not use a metal ladder when working near them. If these wires need to be worked on, it is best to contact an electrician or to take some electrical courses so you can learn how to properly handle these wires.

Electrical Courses - Get your Part P qualification and other electrical certification and training with the Able Skills electrical course