Basic electrical safety guidelines

Contributed by: Contagis

1. Safety glasses or goggles should be worn whenever power tools are used, especially if you wear contact lenses.

2. Make sure the power is off at the breaker box before doing any electrical work.

3. Always work in a dean, dry area free from anything wet.

4. Wires should only be connected at accessible junction boxes. Never splice wires together and conceal them within a wall without a junction box.

5. Never attempt to strip wires with a knife. Aside from endangering your fingers, you will nick the wire metal, which will create an electrical hazard.

6. Ground fault circuit interrupter out- lets should be used under damp conditions (basements, bathrooms, out- doors, etc.), as required by the National Electric Code.

7. Don't create fire hazards by over- loading an outlet or an extension cord.

8. Avoid electrical shock by mapping and marking your switch and outlet boxes. Put the map on the door of the main power service panel.

9. Leave a warning message that you are working on the circuit at the service panel, and tape the circuit breaker in the off position. With a fuse box, take the fuse out

10. Never change the size of a fuse or breaker in a circuit.

11. Be certain your connector is CO/ALR rated when you splice aluminium wire. If it is marked CU/ALR, use only copper wire. Do not use aluminium wire with push terminals; use only copper or copper-dad aluminium wire.

12. Always correct the problem that caused a fuse or circuit breaker to blow before replacing the fuse or circuit breaker.

13. Replace wiring that shows signs of fraying or deterioration.

14. Avoid breaking your knuckles by bracing the powerful right-angle drill so that it cannot spin around if it gets stuck while drilling.

15. Before working with wires or electrical connections, check them with a voltage tester to be sure they are dead.

16. Plumbing and gas pipes are often used to ground electrical systems. Never touch them while working with electricity.

17. Don't use metal ladders with over- head electricity.

18. Use the proper protection, take precautions, and plan ahead.