SAFE ISOLATION. THANKS TO SECURESPARK
Lately, there have been incidents of posters taking risks with electricity & working live. I would like to make everyone using this site acutely aware of the importance of safe isolation.
To an untrained person, the risks of working with electricity are not always fully appreciated. I get a bee in my bonnet about this because I have seen the consequences of not isolating safely & it is extremely grim.
Over the 20 + years I've been in this industry, I've heard some shocking things (no pun intended). "Well, I've had a shock before and it's only a little tingle" or even, "It's only a few volts" which are comments I hear all too often from customers.
PLEASE, you MUST practice safe isolation before working on an electrical circuit, AND the only live working you should do is when testing.
It is best to wear gloves when testing to avoid any possibility of contact with live parts, and REMEMBER that hair can conduct electricity so tie it back.
Do not wear metallic jewellery or watches. Electrical contact with these can cause the metal to heat up and cause severe burns.
I have seen pictures of an electrician who lost a finger due to his wedding ring arcing against a live terminal.
SAFE ISOLATION PROCEDURE:
1. First obtain a two-pole voltage detector and test it on a known source.
2. Isolate the circuit you wish to work on.
3. Test the circuit you wish to work on to see if it is dead. Test between L & N, L & E and N & E.
4. Then test the device again on a known source to prove it is still working.
5. Lock off the device if possible. If the fuse board is in a garage or outhouse that is lockable, lock it and keep the key with you.
If you are removing a Wylex-type fuse or MCB, buy a blank fuse carrier & fit that in place of the fuse, then a fuse cannot be re-inserted by accident. Better safe than sorry.
Do not put yourself or your loved ones at risk and never fall victim to complacency!
