Basic Electrical

and
Safety Precautions

Prepared by:
Engr. Bryan G. De Mesa

Objectives
Be familiar with the fundamental
concepts of electricity.
Be familiar with the effects of
electricity on the human body.
Be able to recognize common
electrical hazards.
Be familiar with electrical protective
devices.

1a

INTRODUCTION
Electrical Terminology

Current the movement of electrical charge

Resistance opposition to current flow
Voltage a measure of electrical force
Conductors substances, such as metals, that
have little resistance to electricity
Insulators substances, such as wood, rubber,
glass, and bakelite, that have high resistance
to electricity
Grounding a conductive connection to the
earth which acts as a protective measure
1a

Concept of Electricity

1b

Concept of Electricity
Voltage
- electrical pressure (water pressure)
Amperage
- electrical flow rate (gallons/min)
Impedance
- restriction to electrical flow (pipe
friction)
1b

Concept of Electricity

To flow electricity must have a complete

path.
Electricity flows through conductors
water, metal, the human body

Insulators are non-conductors

The human body is a conductor.

1b

Ohms Law

E
I R
I = Current (amperes)
E = Voltage (volts)
R = Resistance (ohms)

Basic Rules of Electrical Action

Electricity isnt live until current flows

Electrical current wont flow until there is

a complete loop, out from and back to the
power source.

How electricity works

Current flows from a generating

source through conductors, to a
load

Complete
circuits are
needed
2a

How electricity works

Normal route is through

conductors

Shock occurs
when the body
becomes a
part of the
electrical
circuit
2b

Proper Wiring Installation

Service Entrance

Service

Service Equipment

The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a

circuit breaker(s) or switch(es) and fuse(s) and
their accessories, connected to the load end of the
of service conductors to a building or other
structure, or an otherwise designated area, and
intended to constitute the main control and cutoff
of the supply.

Service Equipment

Existing Practice

Location of Disconnecting
Means
Shall not

Electrical Protective Devices

These devices shut off electricity flow

in the event of an overload or groundfault in the circuit
Include fuses, circuit breakers, and
ground-fault circuit-interrupters (GFCIs)
Fuses and circuit breakers are
overcurrent devices
When there is too much current:
Fuses melt
Circuit breakers trip open

Circuit protective
devices

Circuit protective devices

include:

fuses and circuit breakers protect conductors and equipment

GFCIs - limit or shut off current
flow

5b

Circuit Breakers
Provided to protect EQUIPMENT
not people
Do not reset breakers with a line
voltage higher than 120V and only
reset if you know why it tripped

Location of Circuit
Breakers

Readily Accessible

Ground fault circuit

interrupters

A fast-acting circuit breaker that

senses small imbalances in the
circuit caused by current leakage to
ground
If a ground fault rated 5mA above is
detected the GFCI can shut off
electricity flow in as little as 1/40 of
a second, protecting you from a
dangerous shock
6a

Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter

Permissible Uses of Flexible

Cords
Examples

Pendant, or
Fixture Wiring

Portable lamps,
tools or appliances

Stationary equipmentto facilitate interchange

Use of Flexible Cords

More Vulnerable than fixed wiring

Do not use if a proper wiring method can be
used instead
Flexible cords can be damaged by:

Aging
Edges of doors, windows, equipment
frames
Staples or fastenings

Abrasion from nearby materials (rocks,

the ground, other machinery)

Activities in the area
Improper use of flexible cords can cause
shocks, burns or fires.

Prohibited Uses of Flexible

Cords
Examples

Substitute for
fixed wiring

Run through walls,

ceilings, floors,
doors, or windows

Concealed behind
or attached to
building surfaces

Clues that Electrical Hazards

Exist
Tripped circuit breakers or blown
fuses
Warm tools, wires, cords,
connections, or junction boxes
GFCI that shuts off a circuit
Worn or frayed insulation around
wire or connection

Receptacles

Tamper Resistant Receptacles

Insertion of an object in any one side does not open the shutter (left), but a
two-bladed plug or grounding plug compresses the Spring and simultaneously
opens both shutters (right)

Grounding

Why Electrical Grounding and Bonding?

The most controversial and misunderstood

concepts in the Code.
The most neglected subject by electrical
practitioners.
When improperly installed, it may results to
physical injuries, costly damage to electrical
facilities or even death to individual.
Each utility (power, telephone, cable TV) has its
own grounding electrodes.
Electrical Grounding and Bonding circuit follows
the basic laws of electricity.
1a

Grounding

Protects you from electrical

shock

Safeguards
against fire

Protects electrical equipment

from damage
4a

Grounding

Two types of grounding include:

Service or system
ground
Equipment ground

4b

What is the difference between

grounded conductor and grounding
conductor?

Grounded conductor a system or circuit

conductor that is intentionally grounded.

Grounding Conductor a conductor used

to connect equipment or the grounded
circuit of a wiring system to a grounding
electrode conductor.
1a

Definition of Grounded Conductor

Definition of Grounded Conductor

Definition of Grounding
Conductor

Grounded Conductor

Not a neutral because it is not a 3 0r 4 wire system.

Identifying Grounded Neutral

Conductors of Different System

Proper Wiring Starts with the Right

Color Used in Conductor Wiring

1d

Grounding Electrode

Grounding Electrode for

High Voltage

Proper Grounding

Grounded Properly

Electrical
Grounding

Electric Shock

Four Main Types of

Electrical Injuries
Electrocution (death due to electrical
shock)
Electrical shock
Burns
Falls

1a

Effects of AC Electric Shock

Human Resistance
Body Area

OHMS

Dry Skin
600,000
Wet Skin
1,000
Internal Organs 400-600
Ear to Ear
100

Fatalities at 50 Volts
50 Volts
1,000 OHM = .05 amps (50 mA)

50 Volts
100 OHM = .5 amps (500 mA)

Effects of Current
1-8 mA = shock, not painful
8-15 mA = Pain
15-20 mA = Muscle contraction
20-100 mA = Severe pain & paralysis
of breathing muscles
100-1000 mA = Ventricular fibrillation
(Usually cause death)
> 1,000 mA = Heart stops

Electricitys
Physiological Effect

00.001 amps
00.015 amps
00.020 amps
00.100
01.200
15.000

Barely felt

let go threshold

Muscular paralysis

Ventricular fibrillation

100 Watt light bulb

Common household fuse

Dangers of Electrical
Shock

Currents greater than 75

mA* can cause ventricular
fibrillation (rapid,
ineffective heartbeat)
Will cause death in a few
minutes unless a
defibrillator is used
75 mA is not much current
a small power drill uses
30 times as much

Defibrillator in use

* mA = milliampere = 1/1,000 of an ampere

Electrical Burns

Most common shockrelated, nonfatal injury

Occurs when you touch
electrical wiring or
equipment that is
improperly used or
maintained
Typically occurs on the
hands
Very serious injury that
needs immediate
attention

Falls

Electric shock
can also
cause indirect
or secondary
injuries

Workers in
elevated
locations who

How is an electrical shock

received?

When two wires have different potential

differences (voltages), current will flow if
they are connected together
In most household wiring, the black
wires are at 110 volts relative to
ground
The white wires are at zero volts
because they are connected to ground
If you come into contact with an
energized (live) black wire, and you are
also in contact with the white grounded
wire, current will pass through your body
and YOU WILL RECEIVE A SHOCK

How is an electrical shock

received?
(contd)

If you are in contact with an energized

wire or any energized electrical
component, and also with any grounded
object, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SHOCK
You can even receive a shock when you
are not in contact with a ground
If you contact both wires of a 240-volt
cable, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SHOCK
and possibly be electrocuted

Overload Hazards

If too many devices are

plugged into a circuit,
the current will heat
the wires to a very
high temperature,
which may cause a fire
If the wire insulation
melts, arcing may
occur and cause a fire
in the area where the
overload exists, even
inside a wall

Overhead Powerline
Hazards

Most people dont realize

that overhead powerlines
are usually not insulated
Powerline workers need
special training and
personal protective
equipment (PPE) to work
safely
Do not use metal ladders
instead, use fiberglass
ladders
Beware of powerlines
when you work with

Grounding Path

The path to ground

from circuits,
equipment, and
enclosures must be
permanent and
continuous
Violation shown here
is an extension cord
with a missing
grounding prong

Guarding of Live Parts

Must guard live parts of

electric equipment operating
at 50 volts or more against
accidental contact by:
Approved
cabinets/enclosures, or
Location or permanent
partitions making them
accessible only to qualified
persons, or
Elevation of 8 ft. or more
above the floor or working
surface
Mark entrances to guarded

Guarding of Live Parts

Must enclose or guard

electric equipment in
locations where it
would be exposed to
physical damage
Violation shown here is
physical damage to
conduit

Cabinets, Boxes, and

Fittings

Junction boxes, pull

boxes and fittings must
have approved covers
Unused openings in
cabinets, boxes and
fittings must be closed
(no missing knockouts)
Photo shows violations
of these two
requirements

Assured Equipment
Grounding Conductor
program

The AEGC program is an

inspection program covering:

all cord sets

receptacles that are not part of a
permanent wiring structure
equipment connected by cord and
plug

7b

Assured Equipment
Grounding Conductor
program

Equipment must be visually

inspected for damage/defects
before each days use

7c

Assured Equipment
Grounding Conductor
program

Tests must be performed:

before the first use of new
equipment
after suspected damage to
equipment
at three month intervals
continuity test
grounding conductor test

7d

Lockout/Tagout

Electrical equipment
deactivated for repair must be
locked out and tagged at the
point where it can be energized

Protects maintenance workers

Warns others that work is being

performed
8a

Lockout/Tagout

Only the person who

locked/tagged the equipment
can turn it back on

Before equipment is energized,

a qualified person must conduct
tests and visual inspections
8b

Lockout/Tagout

Each lock/tag must be removed

by the person who applied it

8c

Lockout/Tagout

If the employee is absent, the

lock/tag can be removed by a
qualified person if:

the employee who applied the lock

has left the premises
it is visually determined that all
employees are clear of the
circuits/equipment
8d

Guarding requirements

Any live parts of electrical

equipment operating at 50 volts
or more must be guarded to
avoid accidental contact

9a

Guarding requirements

Entrances to areas with live

electrical parts must be marked
with warning signs

Signs should
forbid entrance
except by
qualified persons
9b

Insulation

Check equipment daily for

insulation breakdown

Check for:

exposed wires
broken wires
scuffed insulation on extension
cords
10a

Dos
Dos and
and
Don'ts
Don'ts

Do plug power equipment into wall

receptacles with power switches in
the Off position.
Do unplug electrical equipment by
grasping the plug and pulling. Do not
pull or jerk the cord to unplug the
equipment.
Do not drape power cords over hot
pipes, radiators or sharp objects.

Dos
Dos and
and
Don'ts
Don'ts
Do check the receptacle for
missing or damaged parts.
Do not plug equipment into
defective receptacles.
Do check for frayed, cracked, or
exposed wiring on equipment
cords.

Dos
Dos and
and
Don'ts
Don'ts

Do check for defective cords clamps

at locations where the power cord
enters the equipment or the
attachment plug.
Extension cords should not be used
in office areas. Generally, extension
cords should be limited to use by
maintenance personnel

Dos
Dos and
and
Don'ts
Don'ts

Cheater plugs, extension

cords with junction box
receptacle ends or other injuryrigged equipment should not be
used.

Dos
Dos and
and
Don'ts
Don'ts

Consumer electrical equipment

or appliances should not be
used if not properly grounded.
(Look for the UL Label)

Dos
Dos and
and
Don'ts
Don'ts

Employees should know the

location of electrical circuit
breaker panels that control
equipment and lighting in their
respective areas. Circuits and
equipment disconnects must be
identified

Dos
Dos and
and
Don'ts
Don'ts

Temporary or permanent storage of

any materials must not be allowed
within 3 feet of any electrical panel
or electrical equipment.
Any electrical equipment causing
shocks or with high leakage
potential must be tagged with a
Danger tag or equivalent.

Myths
Myths and
and
Misconceptions
Misconceptions

Electricity takes the path of least

resistance.

Electricity wants to go to ground.

If an electric tools falls into a sink or

tub of water, the item will short out.

Myths
Myths and
and
Misconceptions
Misconceptions
AC reverse polarity is not
hazardous.
It takes high voltage to kill; 120
volts is not dangerous.
Double insulated power tools
are doubly safe and can be used
in wet and damp locations.

Insulation

Use non-conducting mats,

shields, or barriers when
necessary

Use nonconducting
coatings on
hand tools
10b

Personal protective
equipment

Employers must provide

electrical protective equipment
to employees
who work near
electrical
hazards

11a

Personal protective
equipment

Use appropriate equipment for

the hazards, including:
helmets
eye and face
protection
gloves and
sleeves
aprons
protective footwear

11b

THANK YOU