Elec Safety Workbook

8/10/2019 Elec Safety Workbook

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A publication presented by the Electrical Safety Foundation International

A guide to understanding and maintaining your homes electrical system


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Electrical Safety Foundation International The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)is dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety.ESFI is a 501(c)(3) organization funded by electricalmanufacturers, distributors, trade and labor associations,independent testing laboratories, utilities, and safetyand consumer organizations.

ESFI proudly sponsors National Electrical Safety Montheach May, and engages in public education campaignsthroughout the year to prevent electrically relatedfatalities, injuries, and property damage.

ESFI has a collection of educational tools and resourcesthat are available right at your ngertips. On our website, you will nd practical information and safety tips ona wide variety of topics, from holiday safety to protectingour communities from dangerous counterfeit electricalproducts. These materials are available to download atno cost and can be used to help you raise awareness inyour community or organization about electrical dangersin the home and the workplace.

To learn more about ESFI and electrical safety, visitwww.electrical-safety.org.


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1 Home Electrical Safety

Should you Do-It-Yourself? Know When to Call a Professional Safety should ALWAYS be the foremost concern for anyonewho is working on or around electricity. It is critical to recognizeand distinguish between those repairs that you are quali edto undertake and those that only a professional electricianshould handle.

Do-It-Yourself Safety TipsESFI recommends that you always contact a quali ed, licensedelectrician to perform any electrical work in your home.

If you do decide to undertake a basic home electrical project,consider the following important safety tips:

Always turn off the power to the circuit that you planto work on by switching off the circuit breaker in the

main service panel. Be sure to test wires before you touch them to make sure

that the power has been turned off. Test from the blackwires to both the grounded box and the white wires, andtest from the white wires to the grounded box.

Never touch plumbing or gas pipes when performinga do-it-yourself electrical project.

Make sure that you are not standing on a damp oor.

Be sure to unplug any lamp or appliance beforeworking on it.

Take an active role in understanding the condition of yourcurrent electrical system, its capacity, limitations, andpotential hazards.


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Do-it-yourself guide 2

Is a permit or

inspection required? Electrical Permits & InspectionsMany state and local laws require that a permit be obtainedprior to the installation of electrical wiring or devices, and thatan inspection be performed to ensure that the work wasperformed safely and meets applicable code requirements.

Projects that require a permit include: Adding or extending a new circuit and/or wiring for

central air conditioning, a swimming pool, or a hot tub

Installing and/or adding a receptacle or light xture where one did not already exist

Installing and/or adding a new electrical panel

Restoring electrical service after an interruption causedby a hazardous condition

Wiring or re-wiring any new structure such as a house,garage or shed

Permits are generally not mandated for minor repairs, but workmust comply with the version of the National Electrical Code that is recognized by the state or city in which you live.

Projects that do not require a permit may include:

Replacing a receptacle where one already exists Replacing a faulty circuit breaker with the same size/type

Replacing or changing a light xture

Installing a phone or coax cable for cable television

If you hire an electrician or contractor to perform work atyour home, be sure to con rm that he/she has obtained theappropriate permits, and request an inspection once the work iscomplete. This protects your family against risk of electrocutionand electrical resand it is the law!


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800

1000

20061996

Energy DistributionElectricity plays an integral role in how our homes operates. Whether watching TV, turning on the air conditioner, or charging a cellphone, we rely on our homes electrical system to provide us with power when and where we need it.

Today, we expect more from our homes than ever before. As the number of appliances we use continues to grow, so does ourenergy consumption. You can help manage the demands placed on your electrical system and keep it in safe working condition byunderstanding the basics of how electricity is distributed around your home.

Average Monthly EnergyConsumption

Average Home Energy Distribution

How much energy does my home use?

13%

34%

11%

34%8%

Heating

Appliances &Lighting

Water Heating

Air Conditioning

Refrigerators



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How does my electrical system work?Your Home Electrical SystemElectricity enters your home through a service head from aseries of outdoor power lines or an underground connection.

A typical service head consists of two 120-volt wires and oneneutral wire that deliver power to lights and appliances around

the home.

Each year, 400 people are electrocutedin their own home or yard.

The ELECTRIC METER is mounted outdoors where electricityenters your home. This device is used to measure the amountof electricity that is consumed in your home. The meter ismonitored by your electric utility company and is protected

by lawtampering with it is both extremely dangerous andillegal.

The SERVICE PANEL is the central distribution point fordelivering electricity to switches, outlets, and appliancesthroughout the house. Located near the electric meter, theservice panel is equipped with a breaker that shuts off power to

the circuits if an electrical system failure occurs.

GROUNDING is the method used to connect an electricalsystem to the earth with a wire. Grounding adds criticalprotection against electric shock and electrocution by using agrounding rod to provide a third path for conducting electricityin the event of a short circuit or an overload. Grounding willhelp protect the person working on the system, the systemitself, and any appliances and equipment that are connected

to the system.



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Home Electrical Service Panel Every home has a service panel that distributeselectricity to switches, outlets, and appliances.Service panels are equipped with fuses or circuitbreakers that protect the wires in each circuit from overheatingand causing a re. Older service panels use fuses, while moremodern systems utilize circuit breakers.

A tripped breaker is likely the result of too many appliancesoverloading the circuit and should be xed immediately. Followthese steps to turn the power back on.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESETTING A TRIPPED BREAKER

Unplug or turn OFF appliances in the room.

Find your main breaker panel and open the cover. Locate the tripped breaker or blown fuse. A tripped

circuit breaker will be in the off position or in a middleposition between ON and OFF .

To reset the breaker switch it to OFF position and thenback to ON . This may restore power to the room.

If the problem continues, there may be more seriousissues. Contact an electrician to diagnose the problem.

Fortunately, many of the dangers associatedwith older systems can be prevented simply by

upgrading your homes electrical service panel.

FUSESService panels installed before 1965 use fuses to

protect each individual circuit. Once a fuse is blown, it must beunscrewed and thrown away.

Fuses were commonly used in 30- and60-amp service panels. Today, mosthomes use 100- to 200-amp service.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPLACING FUSES

When replacing fuses in your service panel, thereplacement fuse should always match the amperagerating of the circuit.

Never replace a fuse with one that has a largeramperage rating. This is a very dangerous practice.

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Whatsinside my

service panel?

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CIRCUIT BREAKERS All newer homes are protected by circuit breakers. Unlike a fusethat must be replaced when it blows, a circuit breaker that has

tripped can be mechanically reset to resume operations oncethe problem has been resolved. Each circuit breaker contains apermanent metal strip that heats up and bends when electricitymoves through it. If a circuit shorts out or becomes overloaded,the metal strip bends enough to trip, ipping a switch thatimmediately shuts off power to the circuit. Circuit breakers alsoprotect branch circuits, which can be sized for 120-volts or240-volts.

Electrical arcing causes more than 30,000res a year, according to the National Fire

Protection Association.

ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS (AFCI S ) AFCIs are new protective devices that replace standard circuitbreakers in the electric service panel. AFCIs provide enhancedprotection against additional re hazards known as arc faults.

An arc fault is a dangerous electrical problem caused bydamaged, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices.Without AFCIs, arc faults may be hidden from plain view untilit is too late.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments Healthy Homes Report listed the absence of AFCIs amongthe primary residential hazards associated with burns and re-related injuries.

In fact, these devices are so effective that the 2008 edition of

the National Electrical Code now requires that they be used toprotect almost every circuit in the home.

The 120-volt circuits use one phase of the electricalservice to power standard home appliances.

The 240-volt circuits use both phases of the serviceto power larger appliances such as a clothes dryer.


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Understanding Your Homes WiringMore than 30 million homes, or about one-third of the homesin the United States are at least 50 years old, and studieshave shown that the frequency of res in these aging homesis disproportionately high. Many older homes were built withelectrical systems and components which are no longer safeand may be considered as re hazards.

Electrical distribution systems are the thirdleading cause of home structure res.

It is important to identify what type, color, and size wire isneeded in order to properly address hazardous situationsbefore they become critical.

Knob & Tube Wiring: 1800s1930sKnob and tube wiring was designed as an open air systemthat used ceramic knobs to separate wires from combustible

framing. These suspended wires were directed through ceramictubes to prevent contact with the wood framing and startinga re. Today, knob and tube wiring is considered a re hazardbecause it is not a grounded system, and is more susceptibleto damage from aging and faulty renovations.

Aluminum Wiring: 1960s1970s As the price of copper soared in the 1960s, it became commonto replace copper wires with aluminum instead. Becausealuminum is highly responsive to temperature uctuations, itis more likely to become loose over time and lead to a high-resistance connection that is a re hazard.

It is estimated that nearly two million homes were wired withaluminum between 1962 and 1972. If your home is equipped

with aluminum wiring, consult an electrician about updatingyour wiring system and other options that can protect yourhome.

Grounded Electrical Systems: 1940sPresent Electricity always seeks to return to its source and complete acontinuous circuit. A typical circuit in your homes wiring systemhas two conductorsone that ows from the service panel toappliances in your home, and another that returns the currentto the main service panel. In a grounded electrical system, athird or grounding wire is connected to all outlets and metalboxes in your home, and is then connected directly to the earthusing a metal grounding rod or a cold water pipe. In contrast,an ungrounded system does not prevent electricity from takingthe path of least resistance even if that path is through anunsuspecting person who comes into contact with an appliancethat has a short circuit.

Grounding is a critical safety feature that protects you from

shock or electrocution. If your home is not grounded, contactan electrician to upgrade your electrical system.

What kind of wiring system is in my home?


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Energy Ef cient LightingToday, lighting accounts for nearly 20 percent of a typicalhomes energy bill. Fortunately, there is a way to dramaticallycut down your household energy costs while improving safety

at the same time.Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)Compact uorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use 75 percent lessenergy than a standard incandescent light bulb and last upto ten times longer. In addition to cutting your home energycosts, CFLs also produce 75 percent less heatmaking them amuch safer option for your home as well.

CFLs contain an extremely small amount of mercury aboutas much as would t on the tip of a ball point pen. However,the still offer a net environmental bene t. In fact, four to ve

times more mercury is emitted when powering a standardincandescent light bulb than a CFL.

CFLs are estimated to cut our nationalelectric bill by over $10 billion annually.

Standard incandescent light bulbs will soon no longer beavailable. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007requires light bulbs to be 70 percent more ef cient beginningin 2012 which means that CFLs will become more widely

used.

What is Energy Ef cient Lighting?


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Ma states still all w CFLs t be disca ded with mal ga bage.H weve , ec cli g u CFL is a fa m e e vi me tall -f ie dl alte ative. St es such as The H me Dep t a d IKEAtake back used, u b ke CFLs at c st.

U less a CFL b eaks, the me cu is full c tai ed withi thebulb. Eve if the CFL d es b eak, the maj it f the me cuwill emai with the lamp f agme ts.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING UP A BROKEN CFL

Ve tilate the m.

Scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiffpape ca db a d a d seal i a plastic bag.

Use duct tape t pick up a f agme ts p wde .

Immediately place all clean up materials in an outdoort ash c tai e a d wash u ha ds.

Discard any clothing or bedding that comes in directcontact with broken glass or powder from inside thebulb. Washi g tai ted items ma cause me cufragments in the clothing to contaminate the machinea d/ p llute sewage.

T lea m e ab ut CFLs, visit the U.S. E vi me talP tecti Age c f cial website at www.epa.gov.

Cleanup and Disposal of CFLs

How do I clean up a broken CFL?

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For MorE InForMATIon PLEASE VISIT oUr WEBSITEELECTrICAL SAFETy FoUnDATIon InTErnATIonAL 1300 n. 17TH STrEET, SUITE 1752 roSSLyn, VA 22209

Elec Safety Workbook

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