Electrical Safety Flashcards
Electrical Safety:
What is Voltage
Voltage is the pressure force that causes the flow of electricity. The higher the voltage the further the electricity can travel.
Electrical Safety:
What is Current
Current is the flow rate of electricity through a circuit.
Measured in Amps.
Electrical Safety:
What is Resistance
Resistance slow the flow of electricity.
Depends on conductor length, diameter, material and temperature.
Measured in Ohms.
Electrical Safety:
Basic rules of electricity
1) Electricity will only flow when a circuit is created.
2) Electricity will always follow the path of least resistance.
3) Electricity will try to flow to the ground (earth).
Electrical Safety:
Effect of electricity on the body
Electricity can cause deep burns and even kill.
Touching electricity can cause muscles to contract and grab hold of the conducting object.
A person in contact with electricity is a conductor therefore if you touch them you will be electrocuted too.
To rescue them isolate electrical source or use something non-conductive to push/pull them off the source.
Electrical Safety:
Is there still live power once switchboard is turned off
Yes - power from the network to the switchboard still remains until isolated at the point of attachment.
Electrical Safety:
Points to remember before isolating power
Before turning off circuit breakers, note which circuit breakers have already tripped before you turn the others off.
Place any fuses directly below its fuse holder, so you know which circuit it came from.
Electrical Safety:
What is step potential
Step potential is the ability for electricity to flow between your feet when standing in an electrical pool. The voltage will differ depending on how close you are.
To minimise risk hop with your feet together or use short shuffle steps.
To complete eliminate risk stay 8m away from hazard.
Electrical Safety:
Consideration around electrical hazards
Regard any wire as live until told otherwise by electrical company.
Stay 8m away.
Establish no-go zone around hazards.
Ensure members of the public don’t ender no-go zone.
Request electrical company to isolate power.
Do not enter substation without electrical company personnel.
Stay 25m away with high voltage hazards.
Some systems have reclose function and could automatically switch power back on.
Electrical Safety:
Solar considerations
Solar will always produce power when sun in shining and even from moonlight. Should be isolated from: Switchboard / Meter box Inverted Isolator on roof panels
Electrical Safety:
Firefighter need to be able to identify what components of solar systems
Solar panels
Inverter
Warning labels on meter box
Electrical Safety:
AC=
DC=
PV=
AC= Alternating current DC= Direct Current PV= Photovoltaic
