Electricians: Ignite a Spark and Learn About Electricy

How to Stay Safe When Dealing With Electrical Repairs

7 May 2020

Byron Holmes

Knowing how to handle electrical repairs is beneficial for every homeowner. It offers the satisfaction of dealing with technical issues in your house. Safety is the most crucial thing when dealing with electrical repairs. That is why there are many safety rules and regulations for electrical wiring. These rules can be confusing sometimes, even for the experts. But there are basic practices you can use in almost all wiring projects. 

The article highlights safety tips when dealing with electrical repairs. 

Turn Off the Circuit Breaker

It is vital to turn off the circuit breaker for the fixture you wish to fix before uncovering the wires. Leaving the circuit breaker on is a sure way for you to get an electrical shock. Putting on rubber gloves and using tools with rubber handles is not enough. The screwdriver you are using is likely not insulated and can lead to a short circuit. That may lead to an arc that is hot enough to melt plastic and start a fire. 

Turning off the circuit breaker will eliminate all these risks. You will also not need to worry about someone turning on the switch as you work.

Test for Power

Testing wires and devices before working on them is the best way to prevent shock. Never handle electrical repairs without a voltage tester. The circuits in most homes are a combination of the original wiring and new wiring. Sometimes there may be a mislabelling of breakers. That means you may not have switched off the right circuit breaker. Thus, testing all the wires is a step you should not skip.

Get the Right Tools

An attempt for DIY electrical repairs will never be successful without the proper tools. Sometimes the standard kit is enough for specific tasks. Some jobs, however, need one to have specialised tools. Do your research on the type of gear you need to have for particular jobs. Ensure that every electrical repair tool has a rubber or plastic handle.

Proper safety gear is also vital for electrical repairs. You need to have rubber gloves, flashlights and sometimes a hard helmet. These enhance your safety during electrical repair procedures.

Call In the Experts

Lastly, you should know when it is time to call in an experienced electrician. Though you may have basic knowledge of handling repairs, some things need expert skills. Thus, call in your repair professional when things get tough. Handling elements without proper knowledge and skills will lead to more damage. Therefore, you may end up spending more money than if you chose to call expert electricians.

Contact a company like Smart-Safe Electrical Services to learn more.

Share

Search