Electrical Safety Precautions
In this post we read about electrical safety precautions. This is very important to human life, without safety precaution we cannot safe us while we are working on electric machine and other electric works.
What are the effects of shock?
All alternators, transformers and neutrals of every third pole are given earthed. A person's body is a conductor. When the phase wire touches the body, the current completes its path from the body to the Earth and the bodys intestines begin to shrink. This causes the heart to stop working, which can cause breathlessness, severe burning sensation, and death.
What are the measures to avoid electric shock-
1.The first method of avoiding shock is to work carefully on every electrical niches and appliances. Pay attention only while working and don't think about anything.
2. Never use broken niches, tools or their damaged or rotten wires.
3. Replace broken switches, plugs or sockets altogether.
4. See that all the devices are made earth of metal shell.
5. Do not attach bare wires to the plugs. Fit the plug top.
6. See that all Safety devices (Earthing, fuse) are working properly.
7. Hand tools should be in good condition.
8. Fuses etc. are fitted to the correct rating.
9. Never open live niches without a reason.
What can be the reasons for fire in electrical equipment?
Causes of fire:-1. Use of wrong fuse wire.
2. Overloading the socket outlet.
3. Quickly place fire catchers near the fuse board.
4. Poor joints.
5. Having loose connection of socket.
6. Use of casing capping or batten wiring at a fire hazard location such as conduit wiring at timber stores in oil warehouses.
Precautions due to fire-:
1. Turn off the electric current quickly.2. Do not put water on the live conductor or equipment. This would be dangerous because water is a conductor of electricity.
To extinguish a fire: -
1. Put sand or mud on the electrical appliances that are on fire.
2. Use carbon tetra chloride (C.T.C) or liquid carbon dioxide.
Fire Extinguishers-
Different types of fire extinguishers are used for different types of fires. Some are explained below:(1) Soda-acid Extinguishers- Inside this, a small glass flask filled with sulfuric acid is filled with a mixture of soda and water. When the Extinguisher is turned upside down to extinguish the fire, the acid mixes with the mixture and reacts and produces carbon dioxide that comes out of the cylinders hose. It helps extinguish the fire and can extinguish the fire up to 10 meters. It is used to extinguish fire in wood, clothes, paper etc. This should not be used to extinguish a fire caused by petrol, oil, spirit or electricity.
(2) Foam Extinguisher- These instruments are used to quickly extinguish fires in fire-catching liquids and small solids. It should not be used to extinguish a fire caused by electricity because water and foam are good conductors of electricity . The water in this device is to increase the sodium carbonate foam and the phial is filled with aluminum sulphate powder. When all this is mixed, bubbles of CO2 (carbon dioxide) are formed which extinguish the fire.
(3) Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher- This type of device has a horn type nozzle so that it looks different. This device contains liquid carbon dioxide. When run, carbon dioxide flies off as smoke and clogs and extinguishes the fire. These devices are used to extinguish electric fires and liquids. These are used to extinguish small fires.
(4) Carbon tetra chloride fire extinguisher- It consists of a cylindrical metal container containing carbon tetra chloride liquid. When driven or slightly, it turns into liquid vapor (vapor), which is heavier than air, so it sits on the fire. It is suitable for lightning fires. But it should not be used in closed places because these vapors are poisonous.