Be cautious and work safely
A safe work environment is not always enough to control all potential electrical hazards. You must be very cautious and work safely. Safety rules help you control your and others risk of injury or death from workplace hazards.
If you are working on electrical circuits or with electrical tools and equipment, you need to use following golden safety rules:
21 Golden Safety Rules
Rule no. 1
Avoid contact with energized electrical circuits. Please don’t make fun of this rule if you already know this (and you probably already know if you are reading these lines) and remember that if something bad occurs – you probably won’t have second chance. That’s not funny.
Rule no. 2
Treat all electrical devices as if they are live or energized. You never know.
Rule no. 3
Disconnect the power source before servicing or repairing electrical equipment.
The only way to be sure.
Rule no. 4
Use only tools and equipment with non-conducting handles when working on electrical devices.
Easy to check.
Rule no. 5
Never use metallic pencils or rulers, or wear rings or metal watchbands when working with electrical equipment. This rule is very easy to forget, especially when you are showing some electrical part pointing with metallic pencil.
Always be aware.
Rule no. 6
When it is necessary to handle equipment that is plugged in, be sure hands are dry and, when possible, wear nonconductive gloves, protective clothes and shoes with insulated soles.
Remeber: gloves, clothes and shoes.
Rule no. 7
If it is safe to do so, work with only one hand, keeping the other hand at your side or in your pocket, away from all conductive material. This precaution reduces the likelihood of accidents that result in current passing through the chest cavity.
If you ever read about current passing through human body you will know, so remember – work with one hand only.
If you don’t clue about electric current path through human body, read more in following technical articles:
Rule no. 8
Minimize the use of electrical equipment in cold rooms or other areas where condensation is likely. If equipment must be used in such areas, mount the equipment on a wall or vertical panel.
Rule no. 9
If water or a chemical is spilled onto equipment, shut off power at the main switch or circuit breaker and unplug the equipment.
Very logical. NEVER try to remove water or similar from equipment while energized. Afterall, it’s stupid to do so.
Rule no. 10
If an individual comes in contact with a live electrical conductor, do not touch the equipment, cord or person. Disconnect the power source from the circuit breaker or pull out the plug using a leather belt.
Tricky situation, and you must be very calm in order not to make the situation even worse.
Like in previous rules – Always disconnect the power FIRST.
Rule no. 11
Equipment producing a “tingle” should be disconnected and reported promptly for repair.
Rule no. 12
Do not rely on grounding to mask a defective circuit nor attempt to correct a fault by insertion of another fuse or breaker, particularly one of larger capacity.
Rule no. 13
Drain capacitors before working near them and keep the short circuit on the terminals during the work to prevent electrical shock.
Rule no. 14
Never touch another person’s equipment or electrical control devices unless instructed to do so.
Don’t be too smart. Don’t try your luck.
Rule no. 15
Enclose all electric contacts and conductors so that no one can accidentally come into contact with them.
If applicable do it always, if not be very carefull.
Rule no. 16
Never handle electrical equipment when hands, feet, or body are wet or perspiring, or when standing on a wet floor.
Remeber: Gloves and shoes
Rule no. 17
When it is necessary to touch electrical equipment (for example, when checking for overheated motors), use the back of the hand. Thus, if accidental shock were to cause muscular contraction, you would not “freeze” to the conductor.
Rule no. 18
Do not store highly flammable liquids near electrical equipment.
Rule no. 19
Be aware that interlocks on equipment disconnect the high voltage source when a cabinet door is open but power for control circuits may remain on.
Read the single line diagram and wiring schemes – know your switchboard.
Rule no. 20
De-energize open experimental circuits and equipment to be left unattended.
Rule no. 21
Do not wear loose clothing or ties near electrical equipment. Act like an electrical engineer, you are not on the beach.
Example of human stupidity and ignorance of basic safety
Electrical safety, come on… I guess we’ll never know did the cord extension drop into water… Hope not.
hello, thank you for the aricle. keep sharing
This article is an invaluable resource for anyone working with electrical equipment. It provides a comprehensive guide to ensure safety in electrical installations and maintenance. The rules outlined are concise, easy to understand, and cover essential aspects of electrical safety. I highly recommend this article to anyone involved in electrical work, as it emphasizes the importance of following safety protocols to prevent accidents and protect lives. Also, Hire the best Electricians Vancouver.
I have found those rules and regulations quite helping and understanding for us electrical engineers
Very Easy to understand especially for beginners..five star rating.thanks
In short very good content add more knowledge
This is interesting thank you
very useful blog, which purely explains the safety rules while electrical works
I am electrical engineer and need more help with safety issues
nothing I can do :D
Could you tell me which standard defines the electrical safety requirements for electronic devices using 230V power supply?
Thanks in advance.
Good , Veryy Knowledgeble
Keep going ,Nicee
Greetings
Please can i get a comparison of IEEE standard to those of IEC
can you tell me safety material
safety is an important factor in every industry. thank you for sharing this wonder-full article it helps me a lot to understand
Hi
I need a post on your site. Tell me a reasonable price.
I’m waiting for your response.
I am an advisor for students in an academic school in Sri Lanka But hopping to start my own Technical Classes in Electrical and electronic house hold equipment management.
Hope you can help me in general. I am a qualified Technician with a certificate in City and Guild London in Electronics and telecommunication. and a trained facilitator for NVQ 4 at a Vocational Training Institute of SL.
How could I start. if you can guide me
Thanks for the blog. Its really very helpful.
Thanks alot for the information, I’m a student of Electrical Engineering over here in Africa (Cameroon) and indeed the rules will be of great help.
All precautions illustrated in easy language to understand the electrical workers
Hi Thanks for sharing the information about the 21 safety rules for working with elelctrical equipments
It very helpful as I’m writing my assignment 🤗🤗
Over here you will get to know about the 21 safety rules for working with electrical equipment.Things to be considered include many options listed in this link. It is very useful article and would suggest others too. I am sure many people will come to read this in future. You have done a great research for I feel, thanks for sharing.
Thanks its helpful
Safety must be our priority. Thanks a lot for this information.
Wow it nice thanks
Thanks to the author for sharing good safety tips.
We have contractors phone us asking for anti-static boots where they should be using electrical and vice versa….common guys…
Good article…but yes, the point made by Bobby Saint in his comment is equally important.
Edvard is doing a great job in sharing the knowledge which I am sure is helpful to many electrical engineers and technicians.. I have found quite a few EEP articles being very useful to me in the last 5 years..
Take this opportunity to thank Edvard and his team and wish him and all EEP readers a very happy 2020.
Madhav, Pune(India).
So wonderful life is better than all we struggle looking for. Thanks sir.
Wonderful explanation about safety rules to be applied to prevent injuries and Equipment damages or even death. Congratulations and thank you very much.
Good advice, thank you for your good work of educating people.
i love how it keeps me safe
Please i want to how connect inter switch,from my generator to light .
Am so much grateful,, God bless you
I am an electrician who has low power, but I need to be inquisitive to know more high-quality electricity will connect more into this page and be educated on learning electronic things, thank you
Thanks for these live saving tip. This article has transformed me to an Electrical safety officer. I rely on you to become a great ELECTRICIAN
Good information
THANKS FOR GOOD TIPS…..IT WILL BE MORE VALUABLE WHEN YOU ADD IMAGES
Dear edward syangi,
How to arrest humming sound in lv busbar trunking system?
Thanks for the safety tips I really liked it an also I follow the safety guidelines.
Thank you so much for sharing the information. These safety rules are lifesavers for many. Keep sharing such info. Regards.
Thank you so much updating safety rule..we will sure follow this safety rule.
Thanks for your knowledge, which is important on technical and handling. So, Thank you so much again! I will learn from you and I will sharing these knowledge.
???
Thank you very much,the rules will help
Nice & Some points Improve
Thanks
I couldn’t agree more when you mentioned avoiding making direct contact with energized electrical circuits. This can be potentially dangerous and can possibly lead to death depending on the voltage of the item or unit. It is recommended that you stay away from live wires and make sure that these are far from the reach of children. Always remind them not to play with electricity. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Thanks.
I appreciate for your good work
Hey Edvard, I cannot seem to be able to find the date this article was published, would you happen to be able to send me that info? Doing a project for school and need that info to fill out my APA for it. Thanks!
If you can perform and if it safe then try using only one hand and keep the other hand on your side away from the electric circuits. This safety precaution while working with electricity can actually reduce the passing of current through your body.
Nice Instructions
I am thankfull of you for this work.
thanx this rules are very helpful for me
Thanks so much for the tips on safety.
Thank you for the electrical safety tips! I’m thinking of doing some electrical wiring myself in my new home, but I want to be sure that I stay safe. Would you recommend do it yourself wiring for amateurs or should I call in an electrician just to be safe?
Thanks in advance
i am very pleased with these tips
its really really important to know this inst. for every individual!!!!!!
thankssss
These tips are really helpful. Thanks!
Very useful rules! I am glad I found them. I was trying to explain my 7 years old daughter how dangerous electricity is. I will show her this article and make her learn all the rules. Thank you for sharing it.
These 21 rules seem to be good with one exception: rule 17. I have seen pictures of the hands of individuals who practiced this rule and hand their hand blown to smithereens! It’s NEVER a good practice to contact live conductors even with the back of your hand.
Thanks for the following useful blog, safety is first and must while dealing with electrical work. Also, thanks for the tips you mentioned above.
these 21 safety tips are very effective for the people. hope people keep in mind these tips.
thank you for the safety advise
thank you for safety tips.
I don’t work on big power like you guys. Usually only a few kilowatts. However these rules are pretty much universal and apply at all power levels. I couldn’t think any other rules, however I would make one change and that would be to combine rule 3 with rule 13. So many times I’ve seen guys get hit when they forgot to discharge the input or output caps of a power supply or amplifier before they started to service it and then discharged those caps through themselves.
Just turning off the power isn’t good enough,
You need to make sure every part of the circuitry has been discharged. I usually wait four or five minutes -probably longer for the big power guys -and then check the voltages with my DMM before I start working on any electrical equipment.
Thanks for the reminders.
Hi Mr Edvard,
If I may ask can I include these Rules in our Safety Policy?
Thank you.
these is gud prosejurs thenks
Thank you D-MasterFunk, very cool
thanks yoy for th guud insigtfl cumennt goud bles
Sir,
All above safety rules are very fine. I wish Pictures / photos / video if were were associated with respective rules, it would have been very much effective, with an impact to whomsoever it is being shown especially to train the working staff and to save human life. Thanks.
K Kavia
many thankss
I like the rules they will help me as I train non-technical staff in the University system and also those that use consumer electronics. This also apply to Solar Energy users. Great work.
At times accidents do not occur due to negligence but unintentional short cuts in the process of rushing to get unplanned work finished.
Short cuts savings are short lived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Mr Edvard for the life saving tips on electricity
You’re welcome Arifkunnath!
Many of above tips are so common that probability to be forgotten is very high ;)
Thanks Mr.Edward
Nice article. Safety is never too much.
Cheers
Thank you Brunolda. There are 100+ other safety rules to be added, but I tried to write up just the important ones.