Have you ever seen the experiment where approximately ten people are holding hands? The first person in line is receiving electrical current by holding onto an electrical device. The other eight people (holding hands in line with the person receiving the current) never feels the shock of the electrical current. However, the last person standing on the other end who receives the shock. Wonder why?Electricity takes the shortest route possible to ground with the least resistance. Without two contact points on the body for current to enter and exit, there is no hazard of electric shock. If you are standing on the ground, even wearing shoes, you may not be grounded well enough, and can still receive a lethal shock if you only come in contact with an electrical device that is energized. There are two points of contact since your shoes are not a perfect insulator. The path of current will be from your hand through your body to your feet. This means that the last person in line has nothing to transfer the electricity to. Therefore, the last person in line feels the shock and no one else does.
Here are 6 shocking experiences that you don’t want to have…
1.) Never cut an extension cord while plugged into an electrical outlet.
At the age of 4, I cut the extension cord with scissors, while plugged in. Luckily, the handles were made of plastic, which is a non-conductive material. The plastic insulated the current. However, the scissors were melted and burnt at the spot where I made the cut. I received a thorough spanking that I will never forget, which is much better than the shock that I would have received.
2.) Never stick metal into an electrical outlet or device.
Children have the most inquisitive minds. They like to stick things into places where it doesn’t belong. Metal is a conductor of electricity. Putting a metal object into an outlet or anything that is electrically connected (e.g. toaster) will blow you across a room.
3.) Never wire anything without being properly insulated.
Novices and self-home repair people have a tendency to forget (or not know) to insulate themselves when handling electricity. Failing to properly insulate yourself can lead to catastrophic injuries.
4.) Make sure all circuits are unplugged or completely dead before working with it.
When working with circuitry, capacitors are wired into the circuit. Capacitors are made of dielectrics and store voltage. It has a steady-state property that makes it retain voltage for a specific time. To be safe, it is best to wait at least 5 minutes before touching the device you are working on.
5.) Never work on a metal bench.
Always work on a wooden or plastic bench. Wood and plastic are non-conductive. Working on a metal bench will cause serious burns or the possibility of losing a limb.
6.) Cover basement floor with plastic or some non-conductive material.
Basement floors are cement (a conductor), and it may be wet or not be grounded enough to protect you. People like to work on their circuit boxes, and other lose wires, without having the knowledge that the electrical device may not be grounded and; therefore, you need to be insulated. If something is wrong with the circuitry in the box or a short in the wire, be aware that the current is going to run right through you. Be safe…call a professional.
Do you have something to add? Tell me what you think?
Special thanks to Tubelab
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