A word on electrical safety

Did you ever get an electric shock before?

Chances are you do if you have DIY around with electrical's for a while. It's no fun!

It can be fatal too.. so don't take it lightly, especially most times we work DIY alone.

Seen birds sitting on bare electrified wires?













These birds don't get killed. Well, it's back to basics... just bare this in mind:

1. Electric current flows only when there is a closed path between 2 electric potentials.
2. People get electrocuted only when electric current pass through the body exceeds certain levels (as low as 60mA, 50Hz AC).

So if the birds have long legs, stand one on each adjacent wire (with large potential differences), it will get zap too. But having 2 legs on the same wire (same electric potential) is safe.

Take a lesson from them... the safety rules are simply:

1) Use only one hand to work with electricals. 2 hands may form closed path during accidents e.g. between live & neutral/earth.

2) Make sure your body is well insulated electrically.. i.e. not touching any metal parts that may be grounded (e.g.water pipes); not standing on wet floor bare footed, hence beware of wet shoes; stand on an insulated platform or mat etc.

3) Don't work alone if possible. Be extra careful otherwise.

With these rules I've get zap for a long time.. can't remember the last time either!