Electricians have new necconnect website

I’ll let the people from NECCONNECT.ORG explain it to you:

Welcome to nec connect Community

Welcome to nec connect, a new online resource for all things related to the National Electrical Code. Learn about the latest in electrical safety, wiring, guidelines, and equipment, along with upcoming electrical code updates, tips and the latest social updates from the NFPA. nec connect is your one-stop shop for residential and industrial electrical safety, whether you are an installer, designer, inspector or policy maker. Join fellow contractors and engineers, and sample the latest video content, articles and more from industry experts. And subscribe TODAY for exclusive access to all video content, conversations, updates, and white papers. Thanks for visiting!

Check them out at http://www.necconnect.org/

Free Download – OSHA 1910.399 Electrical Glossary

Part of what we sell on our website at www.nationalsafetyinc.com is a set of training DVDs by Convergence Training. These are great training DVDs but that’s not what I’m going to talk about in today’s post. The reason I bring it up is because Convergence Training has made available an interactive glossary for OSHA 1910-399 Electrical standard and this download is 100% Free.

Check out their Electrical -General Requirements webpage. About halfway down the page you’ll see the glossary (screen shot shown below).

You can use it right from the webpage (if you do, don’t forget to bookmark it so you can come back to it next time you need it) or download it for use when you’re on the jobsite or without an internet connection.

Enjoy!

Tips for electrical system maintenance and upkeep

Most of us only think about our electrical system when it shorts or blows. By then, it’s usually something that requires an electrician and is going to cost us. Whether we are talking about your home or your place of business, there are some simple things that you can do to make sure you don’t have to call the electrician, or worse, end up with an electrical fire.

1. Use surge protectors on all computers, televisions, sound systems and other electronics. A surge protector is cheap, especially when compared to the cost of replacing your HDTV because a power surge fried it. And don’t forget to use a surge protector on your laptop too when you plug it in.
2. Don’t overload any one circuit. Be aware of how much power your appliances and electronics need and make sure to spread the demand around to avoid overloading.
3. Avoid leaving unused electronics plugged in when not in use for an extended period of time. Even if they are turned off, they are using power. Don’t leave your cell phone and laptop charger plugged in when not in use (even when they aren’t charging they are sucking power).
4. Make sure that all your appliances are in good working order. Old and damaged appliances and furnaces use more power then appliances and heating systems that are new and/or well maintained. Change the filter in your central air and/of furnace at least every 90 days when in use. Clogged filters overwork and overheat the furnace and central air. While you’re at it, check the dryer vent to make sure it isn’t clogged as well.
5. Any time you are doing any kind of electrical work, make sure that your electrical panel is locked out to avoid having someone accidentally flip the circuit back on. There are a wide variety of electrical lockout products available to keep you from being accidentally electrocuted while you are working.
6. Keep up with all product recalls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission website is consistently kept up to date. A few minutes a month could save you’re a world of grief. Other websites to check out include www.saferproducts.gov and http://www.recalls.gov/
7. Know your limitations. Electricity can kill so be honest with yourself and know when to call in a licensed electrician. No all projects are do-it-yourself ones. Some are best left to professionals.

Logging Truck Gets Fried

The driver, in these photos, was trying to secure his load of timber. He swung the metal hook, attached to a chain, over the load and accidentally caught a power line. At 7.2 Kv this is the results.

The driver was fortunate. He should have been fried along with his truck.

This is a good reminder to pay attention and to anticipate any potential accidents.

Extension Cord Safety

We use them every day. I can think of at least 3 times that I used one this weekend as well as at least 2 instances where I am using improperly. What do I mean by improperly?

One of the things that most of us don’t pay enough attention to is the fact that extension cords are for temporary use only.

Other things to remember about extension cords:

• Make sure that they are in good working order. No fraying, cuts, etc…
• Makes sure that they match the wattage rating that you are using them for.
• Make sure that they are UL tested
• Don’t plug an extension cord into an extension cord
• Do not cover an extension cord (No running it under the carpet)
• When unplugging, do not pull on cord, pull on the plug itself

For more Dos and Don’t about extension cords, download a free pdf on extension cord safety courtesy of the The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI/DWC)

Working Outdoors around Electricity

Most of what we do on a daily basis is powered by electricity. Power networks run the width and breadth of the country powering businesses and homes. In some cases, the power is overhead in power lines that we can see and in other cases the power is buried in underground cables; either way, contact with electricity can cause serious injury or kill.

Whether you are outdoors working with a ladder or doing work up on the roof, whether you are using heavy equipment or whether you are digging a trench there is a real danger of coming in contact with power lines.

Contractors must have a written policy outlining procedures to keep workers at a safe distance from electrical current. Some of these basic rules are as follows:

• Start with a visual inspection for powerlines. Look up!
• Even if you believe that the power lines are not powered at the time of work, always work as if they were. Never assume that power isn’t flowing.
• Make sure you know what the voltage in the powerlines is. If necessary, call the power company to find out.
• Always make sure that the hazard is clearly identified and visible regardless of weather and lighting conditions. Signs such as “Danger! Electrical Powerlines Overhead” should be placed so that truck drivers and crane operators will see them.
• Make sure that any and all equipment operators have been properly trained and notified of the potential of electrical hazards.
• Stay a minimum of 10 feet away from power lines and power equipment such as generators of 50,000 volts or less. Add ½” to the minimum distance for every 1,000 volts over 50,000.
• If it is not possible to stay under the minimum distance, an observer should be present to give you help maintaining a safe clearance.
• Use only nonconductive ladders and tools.
• Plan for accidents. In other words, when you set up ladders for example, figure out how to do it so that, if the ladder should slip, it will still not come in contact with powerlines.

(For more information about outdoor work around electricity visit the Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health online here).

Free Beta Software for Calculating Arc Flash

If you are involved with electrical work you need to check out the arcadvisor.com blog at http://arcadvisor.blogspot.com/

It focuses exclusively on arc flash, its dangers, prevention, etc… Additionally, they’ve got a free beta version of an arc flash calculation software that you can download free in exchange for feedback.

Arcad, the company that provides this blog and free software “helps facilities create safer working environments for individuals who service electrical systems by providing On-Line and PC based software tools for Short Circuit and Arc Flash Hazard Analysis. NFPA requires that any panel likely to be serviced by a worker be surveyed and labeled. ARCAD service includes resources and tools allowing plant and facility managers and personnel to perform short circuit, incident energy, arc flash protection boundary, level of PPE calculations, and create customized arc flash warning labels themselves drastically reducing the cost of getting in compliance with OSHA & NFPA 70E”

Have a look around (It’s a Canadian company but the information applies here in the U.S. as well), and download the free software. Don’t forget to go back and give them feedback, it’s the least you can do to thank them for the free download.

The Basics of Electrical Safety (Part 5)

If the worse should happen…

• Do not touch a person who is being electrocuted, the odds are that you will become another victim rather than save the person.
• To free the person who is being electrocuted look first for the source of source of power and turn if off.
• If you cannot access the source of the power, use a non-conductive material to remove them from the electrical current (dry wood, cardboard or plastic)
• Immediately call 911. Even if the person appears okay, there might be internal, non-visible injuries.
• Lay the person down and elevate their legs. Begin CPR if the patient is no longer breathing.
• Treat any burns while waiting for help to arrive.
• For electrical fires, make sure that you use the appropriate fire extinguishers. Water only increases the risk of electrocution.

 

Additional Resources:

• http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/electrical/index.html – The OSHA site with a ton of information on all things related to electrical safety.
• http://esfi.org – The home of the Electrical Safety Foundation International.
• http://www.elec-toolbox.com/Safety/safety.htm – The Electrician’s Toolbox Etc… website

The Basics of Electrical Safety (Part 4)

Protecting against the hazards of electricity

The old adage that the problem with common sense is that it is common enough holds true here. Most electrical injuries and fatalities could have been avoided with a little common sense and prevention.

Tips for working safely around electricity:

• Make sure that GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) are installed in wall receptacles, circuit breakers and portable plug-ins. There is no single thing that you can do to decrease the chance of electrical injury in and around the house than this. Fire officials have estimated that some 30,000 homes fires a year could be prevented by simply using GFCIs. Use extension cords with built-in GFCI or that is plugged into a GFCI (Coleman Cable has a great one. See it here)
• Always turn off the power before moving or working on any electrical apparatus or machine. In industrial settings, be sure to read and apply safety procedures associated with lockout/tagout (you can download “The Basics of Lockout/Tagout” from our website at www.nationalsafetyinc.com under the lockout/tagout section)
• Pay attention to the quality of the electrical and electronic equipment that you purchase. Although compliance agencies require testing and certification, there is an increase in counterfeits that may bear all the seals of approval and certification but that are actually forgeries that have been built with inferior parts and products. (For more information on electrical counterfeits go to: http://esfi.org/node/565)
• Avoid working with electricity around water and wet conditions.
• Never work on live circuit panels. The danger of arc flash is simply too great. Call a professional.
• Educate yourself on the proper use and hazards of improper use for all electrical equipment that you use (power tools, space heaters, power generators, extension cords, etc…).
• Educate yourself and your children on any and home electrical safety issues.

The Basics of Electrical Safety (Part 3)

Indirect Injuries

In addition to the direct injuries we have what we are calling “indirect injuries”. Indirect injuries are injuries that are caused by trauma as a result spasms or falls causes by an electrical jolt. Because electricity causes muscles spasms and because people react to electrical shock, many of the injuries are not a direct result of the electrical current but rather because of a fall or blow due to the reaction to the shock.

Falls are the most common of these. A worker who gets an electric shock falls and injures himself or kills himself as a result of the fall. Other reactions to the shock can cause a worker to injury himself by slamming into an object, dropping equipments or tools.

In this category of indirect injuries we also need to list fires. Electrical shorts cause over 2,000 deaths each year as well as billions of dollars of property damage. Especially susceptible are older homes with old and faulty wiring.

Arc Flash Injuries

Arc Flash is a complete course in itself. Check out the arc flash section on our website at www.nationalsafetyinc.com for a complete “The Basics of Arc Flash Protection” document as well as other downloads and related articles.