Electrical Saftey

Precautions with electric equioment: We have many Electrically powered equipment, such as Computer, stirrers,  vacuum pumps, photocopy machine,lasers and power supplies is essential  element for these things.These devices can cause a significant hazard to us, particularly when mishandled or not maintained.Many electrical devices have  high voltage or high power requirements and they also carry more risk,that  is the reason  Large capacitors can be seen in many laser lambs so that  serious danger also can be protected.

Electrical Hazards

The main hazard concerned with electricity are fire and electric fire. We can feel the electrical shock occurs when the body parts comes in contact of the electric circuit,also when an individual comes in contact with both wires of an electrical circuit, one wire of an energized circuit and the ground.

Preventing Electrical Hazards

There are various ways of protecting our self from the hazards caused by electricity. We can significantly also reduce electrical hazards by following some basic precautions:

	Check wiring of equipment before each use. Replace damaged or unravelled electrical wire immediately.
	Use safe work practices every time electrical equipment is used.
	Know the location and how to operate shut-off switches and/or circuit breaker panels.
	Limit the use of extra wires. Use only for temporary operations.
	Use only multi-plug adapters equipped with circuit breakers or fuses.
	Place exposed electrical conductors (such as those sometimes used with electrophoresis devices) behind Plexiglas wires.
	Minimize the potential for water or chemical spills on or near electrical equipment. Insulation All electrical cords should have sufficient wadding to prevent direct contact with wires. It is important to check all wires before each use, since acidic chemicals or solvent vapours’ may grind down the insulation. Damaged wires should be repaired or taken out of service immediately, especially in wet environments such as cold rooms and near water baths. Guarding Live parts of electric equipment operating at high volts must be guarded against accidental contact. Plexiglas shields may be used to protect against exposed live parts. Grounding Equipment with three-prong plugs should be used. The third prong provides a path to ground that helps to prevent the build-up of voltages that may result in an electrical shock or spark but This is not 100 % sure that no one will receive a shock, be injured, or be killed. It will, however reduce the possibility of such accidents, especially when used in combination with other safety measures. Circuit Protection Devices Circuit protection devices are designed to automatically limit or shut off the flow of electricity in the event of a ground-fault, overload, or short circuit in the wiring system. Fuses, circuit breakers, and ground-fault circuit interrupters are three well-known examples of such devices. Fuses and circuit breakers prevent over-heating of wires and components that might otherwise create hazards for operators. They disconnect the circuit when it becomes overloaded. This overload protection is very useful for equipment that is left on for extended periods of time, such as stirrers, vacuum pumps, drying ovens, Variacs and other electrical equipment. The ground-fault circuit interrupter, is designed to shutoff electric power if a ground fault is detected. The GFCI is particularly useful near sinks and wet locations. Since GFCIs can cause equipment to shutdown unexpectedly, they may not be appropriate for certain apparatus. Portable GFCI adapters may be used with a non-GFCI outlet. Safe Work Practices The following practices may reduce risk of injury or fire when working with electrical equipment: Avoid contact with high electrical circuits. Disconnect the power source before servicing or repairing electrical equipment. When it is necessary to handle equipment that is plugged in, be sure hands are dry and, if possible, wear nonconductive gloves and shoes with insulated soles. If it is not unsafe 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. 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. If water or a chemical is spilled onto equipment, shut off power at the main switch or circuit breaker and unplug the equipment. 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.