Présentation au sujet: "Electrical Safety Basic Principles of Electricity Alternating Current"— Transcription de la présentation:
1Electrical Safety Basic Principles of Electricity Alternating Current Basic Electric CircuitsSafe Working PracticesMaintenance
2What is electricity ? A source of Energy Essential to modern life Extremely DangerousCannot be seen or smeltAbout 10–12 Fatalities at Work per Year
3Electric Current A flow of electrons ! Certain materials ‘conduct’ better than others
4Electric current Conductors Metals such as copper, silver, gold and aluminium.Loose electrons in abundance so charge can be transferred easilyCopper very common on cost basis
5Electric current Summary Movement of electrons Best in soft metals Measured in Amperes or AmpsSymbolised by ‘A’i.e. a 13A fuse
6Potential Difference Charge on an object Measured with respect to earthAlso known as PressureWater AnalogyHorizontal pipe – water does not flowRaise one end – water flows outA pressure difference exists
7Potential Difference Raising pipe created a pressure difference Raising electric charge has same effect only electric current will flowAmount of current that flows dependant on conductor (…more water could flow in a bigger pipe…)
8Potential Difference Summary Difference of charge between two objects Causes a current to flow(water analogy)Measured in VoltsSymbol ‘V’i.e. 230V
9Conductors and Insulators Conductors conduct electricityInsulators don’tMetals conductWood, plastic, air, oil and rigid glass do not conduct electricity (most of the time)
10Resistance Back to the water pipe again! A larger diameter pipe allows more water to flow than a smaller oneIf a small diameter section of pipe is inserted into the large pipe the flow of water is restrictedSome materials conduct electricity better than others (atomic structure different)
11ResistanceSmall diameter wires (conductors) allow less electricity to flow than in similar bigger diameter wiresThe ease by which a material conducts electricity is known as resistance
12Relationships Electric Current - Amperes Potential Difference – VoltageElectrical ResistanceAll above are related to each other
13Ohms Law French physicist Ohm studied the relationship between V Potential difference (V),Amperes, and Resistance.IRHis findings became known as Ohms LawWhere V = I * R, I = V / R & R = V / I
14Sources of power Battery DC Mains Supply Portable Generators Solar panels
15UK Electricity Supply System Electricity supplied to factories, offices and homes at 230 voltsLarge factories at volts or aboveSupply has alternating current (a.c.)Alternates at (frequency) of 50 cycles per second (50 Hertz or Hz)
16PowerWhen current flows energy is transmitted and usually consumed by a loadExamples – heaters, lights, motionSuch devices must consume electricity because we have to pay for it!
17Power Power = Volts X Amps (work done) Measured in Watts (W) Example – 2300 Watt electric kettleAlso referred to as 2.3 kilowatt (kW)
19Effect of electricity on human body BurnsSurfaceDeep tissueElectric ShockMuscular ContractionAsphyxiaRespiratory ArrestVentricular Fibrillation
20Ventricular Fibrillation Factors are Current / Time & Physiological Structure of bodyCan occur at 30mA (0.03 A)Causes heart to ‘flutter’Muscle cannot open / close properlyDoes not pumpLack of oxygen to brain - DEATH
21Electric shock0.5mA – 6mA tingling sensation ‘Threshold of perception.’10mA – 16mA muscular contraction sets ‘Threshold of danger’30mA – 60mA & above prolonged exposure can be FATALDeath can occur in a fraction of a second
23IEC 479 curves Zone 1 - No danger Zone 2 - Usually No effects Zone 3 – Reversible damage, no fibrillation, breathing difficultiesZone 45% chance of fibrillation C1- C250% chance of fibrillation after C3For info only
24Electric Shock - Treatment Isolate supply immediately – Dial 999If you cannot isolate DO NOT attempt to touch casualtyPhysically remove victim using non-conducting implementsCheck for pulse / breathing, give artificial respiration if necessary
25Electrical circuits Consist of Power Source Connecting cables Electrical equipment (energy converter)
26Electrical circuits - Earthing Very important for safety !Prevents conducting parts of equipment (ie. metal frames or lids), which do not normally conduct electricity from becoming live during faults.
27No earthing of equipment No bondingPerson can receive an electric shock if equipment becomes faulty
28Equipment bonded together All equipment bonded togetherNo potential (voltage) difference between live casing and handrailIf case becomes live fuse should blowEquipotential Bonding
29Fuses and RCD’s Fuses RCD’s essential for safety, will cut off supply at a certain current level i.e. 13A, 5A, 3A mains supply fuseFuse has a ‘fuseable’ wire element which heats up when current flowsExcessive current = excessive heat & wire melts preventing current flowRCD’sResidual current deviceCompares current in Live & Neutral if different and above a certain value supply switched off
30Work on Electrical Equipment Always ISOLATE supplySwitch off using a device that will create an air gap that should not failLock off where possible to prevent inadvertent switching ON whilst work taking placeAlways test conductors in a reliable way before touching (ie. test the test device before and after use!)Permit to work may be required for higher voltage or complex installations
31Safe values of Voltage55 VAC systems have not caused anybody to be electrocutedOften referred to as a 110VAC centre tapped earth supply (CTE) yellow coloured equipmentLess than 120 VDC considered to be safe
32Double Insulation Lots of portable equipment is Double Insulated Extra layer of insulating material over live conductors to prevent exposure of conductorsCan mean that an earth conductor is not required – risk reduced by additional insulation.
33Electrical Fires / Arcs / Explosions Overheating, arcing & sparkingArcsGenerated during faults / flashover (Lightning)Very high temperatures / causing burnsExplosionsFlammable substances give off vapoursElectrical sparks can ignite (ie. domestic light switch)
34Electrical equipment selection Must be suitable for environmentWet, dusty, flammable gases, mechanical strength, corrosive atmospheres (maggot farms)Must be maintained in good conditionFailure to select suitable equipment and maintain it often results in incidents at a later date
35Maintenance of Portable Electrical Equipment Many accidents result from 230 volt portable equipmentPressure Washers / Vacuum CleanersResulting fromIncorrect selectionInadequate maintenance / poor repairsMost important checks are easy to do !
36Maintenance of Portable Electrical Equipment Visual InspectionCheck flexible mains cable for damage to insulationIf insulation is damaged – REPLACEDO NOT wrap conductors together and tape upSo called ‘Electrical Insulation Tape’ will not provide a sufficient barrier between you and a potentially fatal electric shock – as has been proven on many occasions
37Maintenance of Portable Electrical Equipment PlugCheck that only the outer insulation has been clamped / gripped. Clamping inner conductor insulation will potentially lead to exposure of live terminals.Is fuse correct rating (Instructions should advise correct current value – DO NOT use a nail)Check that all 3 pins are present and in good condition
38Maintenance of Portable Electrical Equipment TestingOnly by a competent personEarth bond testInsulation testOn-load testGuidance – HSE HS(G) 107 (£5) ‘Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment’
39The Law Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989RequireSafe construction, maintenance & work systemsCapability,Environments,Insulation, Earthing, Connections, Fusing, Isolation, Making dead, Live working, Working Space, Competence.Covers ALL aspects at ALL voltages.