Safety
Safety is a critical aspect of electrical engineering due to the inherent dangers associated with electricity. Here are some key safety basics that every electrical engineer should know:
Helpful Link(s): https://youtu.be/k-HRy3eh36Y?si=gg-MCcV_EVbHguTR
1. Understanding the Hazards:
- Electric Shock: Contact with live electrical components can cause severe injury or death. Even low voltages can be dangerous under certain conditions.
- Arc Flash: A sudden release of electrical energy through the air can cause burns, fire, or explosions.
- Fire: Faulty wiring or overloaded circuits can lead to electrical fires.
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): High-frequency signals can interfere with sensitive equipment and cause malfunction or data loss.
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Insulated Gloves: Protect against electric shock when working on live circuits.
- Face Shields and Arc-Rated Clothing: Protect against arc flash hazards.
- Safety Boots: Non-conductive soles prevent current from grounding through the body.
- Hearing Protection: Required in environments with loud electrical machinery or in the event of an arc flash.
Additional Info - Electricity PPE | 11 Different PPE For Electrical Safety (hseblog.com)
3. Lockout/Tagout (LOTOTO):
- Definition: A safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again before the completion of maintenance or repair work.
- Steps:
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Shut Down Equipment: Turn off the machine or equipment.
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Isolate Energy Sources: Disconnect from the power source.
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Lock and Tag: Attach a lock and a tag to the isolating device to prevent accidental re-energization.
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Test Out: Ensure that the equipment is de-energized by testing the circuit.