Electrical Jobs

Electrical engineering:

Electrical engineering — sometimes referred to as electrical and electronic engineering — is an engineering field that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical power supply. The field now covers a range of sub-studies including power, electronics, control systems, signal processing and telecommunications.
Electrical engineering may or may not encompass electronic engineering. Where a distinction is made, usually outside of America, electrical engineering is considered to deal with the problems associated with large-scale electrical systems such as power transmission and motor control, whereas electronic engineering deals with the study of small-scale electronic systems including computers and integrated circuits.[1] Another way of looking at the distinction is that electrical engineers are usually concerned with using electricity to transmit energy, while electronic engineers are concerned with using electricity to transmit information.


Extension Cords:

Normal wear on cords can loosen or expose wires. Cords that are not 3-wire type, not designed for hard-usage, or that have been modified, increase your risk of contacting electrical current.
• Use only equipment that is approved to meet OSHA standards.
• Do not modify cords or use them incorrectly.
• Use factory-assembled cord sets and only extension cords that are 3-wire type.
• Use only cords, connection devices, and fittings that are equipped with strain relief.
• Remove cords from receptacles by pulling on the plugs, not the cords.

Equipment:



Due to the dynamic, rugged nature of construction work, normal use of electrical equipment
causes wear and tear that results in insulation breaks, short-circuits, and exposed wires. If there is no ground-fault protection, it can cause a ground-fault that sends current through the worker's body.
• Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20- ampere receptacles, or have an assured equipment grounding conductor program (AEGCP).
• Use double-insulated tools and equipment, distinctively marked.
• Visually inspect all electrical equipment before use. Remove from service any equipment with
frayed cords, missing ground prongs, cracked tool casings, etc.


Electrical Incidents:

If the power supply to the electrical equipment is not grounded or the path has been broken, fault.

Generators:


One of the common tools utilized following the loss of power are portable generators. Most
generators are gasoline powered and use internal combustion engines to produce electricity.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced during the operation of gasoline powered generators. When inhaled, the gas reduces your ability to utilize oxygen. Symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea and tiredness that can lead to unconsciousness and ultimately prove fatal.
• DO NOT bring a generator indoors. Be sure it is located outdoors in a location where the
exhaust gases cannot enter a home or building. Good ventilation is the key.
• Be sure that the main circuit breaker is OFF and locked out prior to starting any generator.


This will prevent inadvertent energization of power lines from back feed electrical energy from
generators and help protect utility line workers from possible electrocution.
• Turn off generators and let them cool prior to refueling.

Power Lines:

Overhead and buried power lines are especially hazardous because they carry extremely high voltage. Fatal electrocution is the main risk, but burns and falls are also hazards.
• Look for overhead power lines and buried power line indicators.
• Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines and assume they are energized.
• De-energize and ground lines when working near them.
• Use non-conductive wood or fiberglass ladders when working near power lines.

Working Safely with Electricity:


Working with electricity can be dangerous. Engineers, linemen, electricians, and others
work with electricity directly, including overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Office workers and salespeople work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards. current may travel through a worker's body, causing electrical burns or death. Even when the power system is properly grounded, electrical equipment can instantly change from safe to hazardous because of extreme conditions and rough treatment.

• Visually inspect electrical equipment before use. Take any defective equipment out of service.
• Ground all power supply systems, electrical circuits, and electrical equipment.

Installation Information:


These resources are provided to help give the electrical professional essential information for completing electrical installations.
Product Testing Laboratories Get a list of accredited electrical product-testing laboratories where you can obtain electrical product and equipment evaluations to ensure that they meet established safety standards.
Electrical Utility Providers Find out what utility company or PUD is providing your electrical service. You should consult with your serving utility before performing an electrical installation that will alter service. You will also need to know this for your permit application.
Engineering Evaluations Approved engineers can evaluate industrial equipment for appropriate safety standards
Electrical Tip Before Starting Work:


Probably the most mysterious and scariest home projects involve electrical work. Those people not familiar with electricity might expect lightning to come shooting out of sockets and switches when you want to work on them. That won't happen...unless, of course, you start working around the wiring when the power is still flowing.
Play it safe and get an inexpensive circuit alert voltage tester that lets you know if it's okay to go to work. Just place the tester on the wiring (or device and if it lights up the wire is live. This lets you know if you've turned off the wrong circuit breaker or fuse, or if there's a problem with the breaker. Fix it before you do anything else!

Some important rules to keep in mind:

Have cracked, frayed, and damaged cords and appliances repaired at certified repair centers, or clearly label them as "damaged and electrically unsafe" and discard them.
Never run power cords across traffic paths or under rugs or furniture.
Never tack or nail an electrical cord to any surface.
Never use extension cords on a continuous basis; remember that they are temporary solutions only.

• Be careful not to overload power strips and surge suppressors.
  
• They don't provide more power, just more access to the same limited capacity of the circuit.
  
• If an appliance repeatedly blows a fuse or trips a circuit breaker, or if it has given you a shock, unplug it and have it repaired or replaced.
  
• Halogen desk and floor lamps are fire risks; replace them with more efficient, cooler-burning fluorescent lamps.

Other electrical safety lessons for younger children include:

• Turn off electrical items before unplugging them, and unplug items by firmly grasping the plug itself; never yank the cord.
  
• Put safety covers on all unused outlets that are accessible to children.
  
• Make sure extension cords have safety closures to help prevent shock hazards and mouth burn injuries.
  
• Be careful, while plugging in or unplugging, not to touch the metallic prongs with your finger or any other item you are holding.
  
• Keep all liquids away from outlets and electrical items.
  
• Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn't fit.
  
• Never let anyone stick anything but a plug into an outlet.
  
• Don't put anything into an outlet except a plug.
  
• Think Safety!