ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND SAFETY

EE 8105

Course Tutor: Mr. Mlay J. J

Assistant Lecturer
(MEng: Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics)
joshmlay@gmail.com

Department of Electrical and Power Engineering (EPE)

College of Engineering and Technology (CET)
Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST)
Mbeya-Tanzania,
2021/2022
 Lab/workshop Safety
What do you think is the most dangerous thing
in any laboratory/workshop?
 Lab/workshop Safety
• The most dangerous thing in any laboratory is someone
who doesn’t know what they are doing.
Safety -:
• Is the state of being "safe", the condition of being
protected from harm or other danger.

• Is a quality or condition of being safe from dangers,

injury, loss, damage and accident.

• The condition of being protected from or unlikely to

cause danger, risk, or injury

 The safety precaution must be taken at every stage of

electrical work and associated civil, mechanical,
chemical works etc
 Safety Symbols
Usually only in
Common to all Sciences Chemistry
Corrosive
Apron Proper Disposal
Heating Glassware
Goggles
Hand Washing
Fumes
Glassware General Safety

Heat-resistant
gloves
Toxic/poison Usually only in
Electrical Shock Biology
Open Flames
Sharp Objects
No Open Flames
Plant Safety
Physical Safety
Animal Safety
 Explanation of Symbols
Apron- Wear a lab apron to protect skin and clothing.
Goggles- Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes during labs that use chemicals,
flames or heating, or the possibility of broken glass.

Glassware- handle breakable materials with care. Do not handle broken glass.

Heat-resistant gloves – Use hand protection when handling hot materials. Do not
touch hot materials with bare hands.
Electrical Shock- Never use electrical equipment around water, or when equipment
or hands are wet. Be sure cords are untangled and can’t trip anyone. Disconnect
equipment when not in use.
No Open Flames- Flammable materials may be present. Make sure no flames,
sparks, or exposed heat sources are present.
Physical Safety- When an experiment involves physical activity, take precaution not
to injure yourself or others. Alert your teacher of any reason that you should not
participate in the activity.
 Explanation of Symbols
Proper Disposal- Not everything goes in the trash or sink. Follow teacher’s directions as
to where to dispose of all materials.
Hand Washing- Wash hands thoroughly after all lab activities.
General Safety- Follow additional safety precautions given by your teacher.
Toxic/poison- Do not let poisonous chemicals come in contact with your skin, clothing or
eyes. Do not inhale vapors. Wash hands when you are done with the activity
Open Flames- You will be working with open flames. Tie back loose hair and clothing.
Follow teacher’s instructions about lighting and extinguishing flames.
Corrosive- Do not let chemicals come in contact with your skin, clothing or eyes. Do not
inhale vapors. Wash hands when you are done with the activity
Heating Glassware- Use a clamp or tongs to handle hot glassware. Do not pick up hot
glassware with your hands.
Fumes- Work in a well-ventilated area or the fume hood. Do not inhale directly. Use
wafting if you are to test the odor of a vapor.
 Explanation of Symbols
Sharp Objects- scissors, scalpels, knives, needles, pins, or tacks, can cut
or puncture your skin. Always direct sharp edge or point away from
yourself and others. Use sharp instruments as suggested.

Plant Safety- Handle plants only as directed by your teacher. If you are
allergic to certain plants, tell your teacher before an activity. Avoid
touching poisonous plants or plants with thorns. Wash your hands after
activity.

Animal Safety- Treat live animals with care to avoid harming the
animals or yourself. Working with animal parts or preserved animals
also may require caution. Wash your hands after handling any animal
specimen.
Accident:

Is unexpected, unforeseen or unintended

happening; sometime resulting from NEGLIGENCE
or IGNORANCE that result in injury, loss, damage
and/or death.
 CAUSES OF ACCIDENT
I. CARELESSNESS
When any task is done often enough it
becomes familiar to the point at which
boredom sets in.

When this happens original high

standards becomes/starts to slide. The
result is an accident to that person.
 II. IGNORANCE
This is lack of sufficient knowledge to perform a
task efficiently and to leave a task in a condition
which is safe.

Many tasks seem to be simple when done by

experts. If there is lack of sufficient knowledge a
task should be done under expert supervision
 SAFETY PRINCIPLES/RULES OF SAFETY

Before working on any electrical system the

measure must be taken to maintain the rules and
safety that are in the prescribed order.
SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR WORKSHOP

I. Use correct tools for correct job

II. Follow and ask instruction from instructor or experienced
person
III. Make sure that power is cut off before working or
maintaining on the line
IV. Concentrate on what you are doing so as to avoid
damage to the job or harm yourself
SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR WORKSHOP,,, cont…

V. Fire extinguisher should be within easy reach and to be able

to operate whenever the fire break

VI. Flammable materials should be kept away from places

where the fire is like to occur

VII. Wet and slippery floor of the working place should be

avoided and tools must be stored in their respective places
after use.
SAFETY PROCEDURES/five rules of safety

I. Switch off power

II. Ensure that the current is not switched ON again.

III. Make sure that there is no voltage (For both ii and iii above use

measuring device to confirm).

IV. Earth and short circuit the system

V. Cover all the negative part <NEUTRAL PART>

VI. Start working

 SAFETY RULES
1. Don’t put on loose clothes
2. Fool playing during working should be avoided
3. Switch off the supply before attending any job
4. Don’t stop any moving part with legs or hands
5. Make sure your electrical equipment is securely earthed
6. While working with live parts use rubber gloves
7. Do not extinguish electric fire with water
8. Don’t interfere with electrical apparatus use it as intended and don’t
remove any cover or panel
9. Smoking is not allowed in any area within the laboratories and workshops
10. Wear safety equipment i.e. PPE (Personal protective
equipment )

i. Safety boots
ii. Goggles
iii. Lab/workshop coat
iv. Helmet
v. Gloves
vi. …
vii. ….
viii.…..
ix. ……
First AID
Is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with either
a minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve
life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery.
• A first aid kit consists of a strong, durable bag or transparent plastic box. They
are commonly identified with a white cross on a green background. A first aid
kit does not have to be bought ready-made. The advantage of ready-made first
aid kits are that they have well organized compartments and familiar layouts.

ISO First Aid Symbol

Contents
• Sterile wet wipes, Microporous tape, Gloves, Face shield, Foil
blanket, Burn dressings, Clothing shears, Conforming bandages,
Finger dressing, Antiseptic cream, Scissors, Cotton
First AID,,,Cont…
• The primary goal of first aid is to prevent death or serious injury from worsening.

The key aims of first aid can be summarized with the acronym of 'the three Ps'
i. Preserve life: The overriding aim of all medical care which includes first aid, is to save
lives and minimize the threat of death.
ii. Prevent further harm: Includes addressing both external factors, such as moving a
patient away from any cause of harm, and applying first aid techniques to prevent
worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed from becoming
dangerous.
iii. Promote recovery: First aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the
illness or injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment, such as in the
case of applying a plaster to a small wound.
It is important to note that first aid is not medical treatment and cannot be compared with
what a trained medical professional provides. First aid involves making common sense
decisions in the best interest of an injured person.
First AID know how
i. All workers should know where the first aid station is, who
staffs it, and what services are available.

• If you sustain an injury, no matter how minor, ensure that the

incident is reported in the first aid station log.

ii. Minor irritations often develop into major problems, so

report all injuries promptly.
First aid for several injuries/accidents

a. First aid for a cut

b. First aid for a Burns
c. First aid for chemical burns
d. First aid for a Broken Born
a. First aid for a cut
i. Clean the wound by rinsing it with bottled or tap water, or by using sterile
wipes.
ii. Clean the skin around the wound using soap and water or antiseptic – but try
not to get antiseptic into the wound.
iii. Pat the area dry using a gauze swab or a clean tea towel.
iv. Put on a sterile dressing or a plaster.

b. First aid for a Burns

i. Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes as
soon as possible after the injury.
ii. Never use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter.
iii. Keep yourself or the person warm.
iv. Use a blanket or layers of clothing, but avoid putting them on the injured area.
c. First aid for chemical burns
i. Remove dry chemicals. Put on gloves and brush off any remaining material.
ii. Remove contaminated clothing or jewelry and rinse chemicals off for at least 20
minutes, in a shower if it's available. Protect your eyes from chemical contamination.
iii. Bandage the burn. Cover the burn with a clean bandage. Wrap it loosely to avoid putting
pressure on burned skin.
iv. Rinse again if needed. If you feel more burning, rinse the area again for several more
minutes.

d. First aid for a Broken Born

i. Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a
clean piece of clothing.
ii. Immobilize the injured area. Don't try to realign the bone or push a bone that's sticking
out back in.
iii. Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Don't apply ice directly to the
skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material.
iv. Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the
person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.
ELECTRICAL SHOCKS AND PREVENTION

Electrical shocks: is the sudden stimulation of the

nervous system of human being body by
flowing of electrical current through a part of the
body.

• Shocks are caused by direct contact with live

conductor of flash over.
Primary shock –

 Is an electrical shock of such magnitude that it may produce

direct physiological harm.

The results of primary shock are FIBRILATION (irregular heart

beat) Respiratory Tetanus (continuous contraction of muscles).
Secondary shock-

 Is an electrical shock of such magnitude that will not

produce direct physiological harm but it is annoying and may
cause involuntary muscles reaction.

Results of secondary shock are Annoyance alarm, Loss vision and

loss of balance due to Involuntary Muscle Reaction.
CAUSES OF SHOCK
Shock may occur in one or more of the following situations.

i. When part of human body bridges two phases wires by direct contact
ii. When part of human body bridges one phase and earth, two phases and
earth by direct contact.
iii. When part of human body bridges two points of same phase at different
potential by direct contact.
iv. When part of human body touches two points having potential difference
across
v. Flash over moving part of human body
N:B
Dry skin is much more safe than wet skin, also dry surrounding are safer than wet
surroundings.
PREVENTION OF SHOCKS

i. Body/structure must be covered

ii. Conductors should be insulated/enclosed not accessible

iii. Person should keep clear distance from high voltage conductors

iv. Person should wear safety insulating hand gloves

v. Live line working should be avoided

vi. Conductors should be touched only after making dead and discharge
THE SEVERITY OF SHOCK WILL DEPEND ON

i. Voltage between live metal and earth.

ii. Moisture content of the skin.

iii. Proximity of the body resistance.

iv. The length of time of contact.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

You should first call for help. If possible proceed with care and remove the
victim from the electric source (i.e. remove the electrical appliance from its
electrical socket source).

• If not possible it is advisable to use a tool made of a material that is a poor

conductor of electricity (a material which doesn’t allow easy transfer of
electricity), such as wood, rubber, materials that are dry).

You must also not attempt to touch the victim with bare hands, as you may
also experience an electric shock. You should try to isolate the subject from
the ground, creating a ‘mat’ of wood, rubber, newspapers, or anything that
is non-conductive of electricity.
A shock can affect the nervous system
 When nerves are affected by an electric shock, the consequences include pain,
tingling, numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving a limb.

• These effects may clear up with time or be permanent. Electric injury can also
affect the central nervous system.

The long term effects of electric shock

PSYCHOLOGICAL NEUROLOGIC PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS
Depression Memory loss Generalized pain
Posttraumatic stress disorder Numbness Fatigue, exhaustion
Insomnia Headache Reduced range of motion
Nightmares Chronic pain Contracture
 Preliminary Measures After Electric Shock
• Take these actions immediately while waiting for medical help:
i. Turn off the source of electricity, if possible. If not, use a dry, non-
conducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood to move the source
away from you and the injured person.
ii. Remove any obstructive to breathing e.g. tight collar or false teeth.
iii. Determine the nature of injury (respiration and pulse is normal no shock
else shock)
iv. Place the patient in side position
v. Begin heart massage immediately [Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR)] (i.e. Mouth-to-mouth or holger Nielsen method ).
vi. Try to prevent the injured person from becoming chilled.
vii. Apply a bandage. Cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze bandage, if
available, or a clean cloth. Don't use a blanket or towel, because loose fibers
can stick to the burns.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

1. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,
a form of artificial ventilation, is
the act of assisting or stimulating
respiration in which a rescuer
presses their mouth against that of
the victim and blows air into the
person's lungs.
A second technique Called the

2. Holger Nielsen technique, described a

form of artificial respiration where the
person was laid on their front, with their
head to the side, and a process of lifting
their arms and pressing on their back was
utilized, essentially the Silvester Method
with the patient flipped over.
• Dry skin is much more safer than wet skin, also dry surrounding are safer than wet
surroundings. Different human body parts have different resistances. Human body consists of
up to 60% of the water. The total amount of water in a man of average weight (70 kilograms)
is approximately 40 litres.

The body water is broken down into the following compartments:

Intracellular fluid (2/3 of body water)

Extracellular fluid (1/3 of body water)

• Intracellular as well as extracellular fluids are electrolytes full of biochemical ions,

therefore well conductive. The cell membranes are isolates. If the voltage that is not
changing is applied (DC) the direct current can flow through the extracellular fluids. DC
cannot pass through the cell membranes, so it cannot flow intracellularly (contrary to AC).
The resistance of dry skin is 20-30 kΩ /cm2.

The resistance of moist thin skin is about 0.5 kΩ/cm2.

The resistance of punctured skin may be as low as 0.2-0.3 kΩ/cm2

If skin resistance is low/ few/ or if any, burns may occur, although cardiac arrest may
occur if the current reaches the heart.

• If skin resistance is high, much energy may be dissipated at the surface as current
passes through the skin, and large surface burns can result at the entry and exit points.

• Internal tissues are burned depending on their resistance; nerves, blood vessels, and
muscles conduct electricity more readily than denser tissues (e.g., fat, tendon, bone)
and are preferentially damaged.
Laboratory safety equipment
1. Lab gloves for students
2. Safety goggles
3. Eyewash
4. Fume hood
5. Disposable Masks
6. Fire extinguishers
7. First aid kits
8. Lab coats
9. Safety showers
10. Safety storage cabinets
 Emergency Procedures
All employers are obligated to ensure staff are trained in workplace emergency procedures.

This may include what to do in case of;

A fire,
Earthquake,
Or other emergency

So as to identify locations of emergency exits; and processes to follow to evacuate the

building in the case of an emergency.

These procedures are site specific and should be a part of the training for all new
employees. In addition, regular drills or reviews of procedures are important to ensure that if
an actual emergency occurs, everyone is able to react accordingly and safely.
 Emergency Procedures ,,,Cont
Orientation to any new job site, even if temporary, should
always include the following information:
 Location of emergency exits
 Location of first aid supplies or the procedures to call for
an attendant
 Location of fire extinguishers
 Evacuation procedures and muster stations
 Any hazards present on the site
Fire Safety Procedures and Regulations
 Fire Safety Procedures and Regulations

Components that produce fire

Before a fire can occur, these three components must be Figure 1. Fire triangle
present: (By GustavB under CC BY-SA 3.0.)

i. Fuel (a combustible material such as wood, gasoline,

paper, or cloth).

ii. Heat (sufficient to raise the fuel to its ignition

temperature)

iii. Oxygen, usually in the form of air (to sustain combustion)

 Fire Safety Procedures and Regulations,,,cont

When these three components combine, as shown in the fire triangle (Figure 1), the result is
rapid combustion (fire). Keeping these three components separated will prevent a fire from
occurring. An existing fire can be extinguished by removing any one of the three
components:
 Remove the fuel (combustible material) from the vicinity of the fire. For example, if you
shut off the valve of a gas main, the result will be starvation.
 Remove the heat. For example, by applying water, the result will be cooling.
 Remove the oxygen. For example, if you cover the fire with a lid, a wet blanket, or some
sand, or you use a carbon dioxide, foam, or dry chemical extinguisher, the result is
smothering.

Remember, keeping these three components separated will prevent a fire from occurring.
Likewise, an existing fire can be extinguished by removing any one of the three components.
Combustion speed
Fire, or combustion, is a form of oxidation (the union of a substance with oxygen).

 During the process of oxidation, energy is released in the form of heat

sometimes accompanied by light. Oxidation takes place at varying rates of
speed. Table 1 shows examples of oxidation occurring at differing rates of
speed.
Table 1. Combustion Speeds
Speed Example
Very slow The rusting of iron
Slow The spontaneous heating of materials such as oil.
Fast The burning of paper or wood
Extremely fast The exploding of gunpowder upon ignition
First aid firefighting
First aid firefighting is best described as extinguishing a fire in its initial
stages (before the fire can become too large) by using whatever is
readily at hand.

First aid extinguishers are designed to deal with fires in their infancy. These
traditional fire extinguishers are still required on all work sites, even in
areas protected by sprinkler systems.

Classes of Fires
Fires are divided into five main classes: A, B, C, D, and K. The classification
of a fire dictates the type of extinguisher required.
 Class letter and Pictogram Description Extinguishing
symbol requirements

Fires involving ordinary Require the heat

combustibles (wood, absorbing (cooling)
cloth, paper, rubber and effects of liquids and
many plastics) certain chemicals that
retard combustion

The symbols shown in Table

may be the only indication Fires involving
flammable liquids or
combustible vapours
Require extinguishers
that prevent these
vapours from being
released or that interrupt
you have of the best use for the combustion

a fire extinguisher. Fires involving Nonconductive

energized (live) extinguishing agents are
electrical equipment required to provide safety
to the operator

Please make note of the

none Fires involving certain Require a heat absorbing
class letter and symbols for combustible metals,
such as magnesium,
extinguishing medium
that is not reactive with
titanium, zirconium, the burning material
future reference. sodium or potassium

Fires involving commercial A wet potassium

cooking appliances with oils acetate, low pH-based
or fats at high temperatures. agent is used for this
class of fire
Types of Fire Extinguishers
All businesses must have portable fire extinguishers. These come in many sizes
and colors and have several markings on them. They may be divided into
several types:

 Water extinguishers
 Dry chemical extinguishers
 Wet chemical extinguishers
 CO2 extinguishers

Although most of these extinguishers can be used on more than one class of
fire, none can be successfully used for all types of fire situations.
1. Water-based extinguishers: are to be used on Class A fires
and may be either the pressurized or pump type. Plain water
extinguishers are rarely found in the kitchen.

2. Dry chemical extinguishers: are designed for Class B and C

fires or Class A, B, and C fires, depending on the type of agent
contained in the cylinder.
 Three of the most commonly used dry chemicals are:
• A. Triplex dry chemical, a multipurpose dry chemical agent effective in
extinguishing Class, A, B, and C fires, is generally considered the best all-
round fire extinguisher.
• B. Quick-aid dry chemical, a specially treated sodium bicarbonate dry
chemical agent that is moisture-resistant and free-flowing, is effective and
approved for use on Class B and C fires and offers the lowest cost per kilo of
the three dry chemical agents.
• C. Purple K dry chemical, a specially treated potassium bicarbonate dry
chemical agent, provides effective protection against Class B and C fires and
is approximately twice as effective as the standard sodium bicarbonate dry
chemical.
 Dry chemical extinguishers: Cont…

• You can use dry chemical extinguishers to put out Class D fires.

• However, the type of extinguisher depends on the type of metal that is

burning.

• If you are working with a particular combustible metal, ask your

instructor for information about the most effective extinguisher.
3. Wet chemical fire extinguishers became mandatory after discovering that
modern shortenings burn at a higher temperature than other frying oils making
the automatic fire suppression systems unable to extinguish larger fryer fires.

 The extinguishers for Class K fires are grey in colour and contain a potassium
acetate based, low PH agent.

 The Class K extinguisher is also the ideal choice for use on all cooking
appliances including solid fuel char broilers.

 The agent discharges as a fine mist that helps prevent grease splash and fire
reflash while cooling the appliance.
4. Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers should be used on Class B and C fires. A
CO2 extinguisher is recognized by its fibre horn.

 It is less effective than dry chemical extinguishers but has the advantage of
not leaving a residue that must be cleaned.

 It is important that you know the location of and how to operate each
extinguisher in your workplace. Because each manufacturer uses a slightly
different operating procedure, the best thing you can do is to look carefully
at the markings and instructions on the extinguisher.

 They will tell you how to use the extinguisher and where it is most effective.