It is extremely important to take safety precautions when working with electricity. Safety must not be compromised and some ground rules must be followed. The basic guidelines regarding safe handling of electricity are as given below:
- Avoid water at all times when working with electricity. Never touch or try to repair any electrical equipment with wet hands, as it increases the possibility of shock.
- Never use any equipment with frayed cords, damaged insulation or broken plugs.
- Never work on any receptacle at your home with mains supply ON. Always turn it OFF before working.
- Always use insulated tools while working.
- Always use standard pins to tap the supply of power from any plug.
- Always use the standard lSI marked materials and equipments even though they cost a little more.
- Avoid electrical hazards by not letting the energized parts and unguarded electric equipment exposed because they are a shock risk especially for children in the house.
- Never use an aluminum or steel ladder to work on any appliance at height. Instead use a bamboo, wooden or fiberglass ladder.
- Know the wire code of your country.
- Always check all your GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) once a month. These devices are commonly used nowadays to avoid electric shock hazards.
- Plug points of high-power appliances like refrigerators, wet grinders, washing machine, water heaters etc. must have a proper earthing and power should be drawn only through the three pin plugs.
- Always use a circuit breaker (MCB) with the appropriate current rating, in each electrical circuit.
- Take care while removing a capacitor from a circuit. A capacitor stores energy and if not removed properly then it may cause an electric shock.
