Testing or working with any electronic gadgets and equipment requires safety precautions.
When you’re not careful, you might put yourself and others at risk. These risks could involve electrocution, or worse, serious injuries or death.
That’s why before and during usage of such gadgets, you should consider the following safety precautions:
- Check And Understand The Labels
One thing you should understand is each gadget and equipment’s labels. Since various suppliers manufacture electrical products, it’s best to learn about the electrical safety labels that they should have.
The labels can help you determine whether to donate or recycle electronics. This way, you can keep toxic materials from being dumped in landfills.
Aside from that, labels are there for the users’ health and safety. Here are some of them and what they mean:
- Energy Star Labeling
This label shows that your electronic gadget has passed exceptional levels of energy efficiency by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When your device has this label, you can ensure that it’s emitting fewer carbon footprints.
Moreover, you’re likely to use less energy that adds to your electric bills with this label.
- EnergyGuide Labeling
It applies to appliances as the US Department of Energy’s Appliance Standards Program requires such. These appliances include pool heaters, heat pumps, boilers, furnaces, air conditioners, and the like.
With this label, you’ll find the annual costs that the appliance uses and the energy usage.
- FCC Mark
If you’re using gadgets or equipment that emit radio frequencies, such gadgets should have a Federal Communication (FCC) Mark. This mark means that such gadgets will not electromagnetically interfere with other electronic devices.
Moreover, the FCC mark should be visible and permanently affixed to the product.
- Electric Panel Labels
While these are in your property’s electric panels, it’s still vital to know such labels. Not only is it a requirement for commercial properties, but it can help prevent possible electrical surges. The electric panel labels can help you during emergencies like fire or flood.
Instead of searching in the dark or guessing what breaker to shut off, the electric panel labels will make it easier for you.
For a more comprehensive explanation, you can refer to this guide about electrical panels.
- Don’t Repair Energized Equipment
Before opening or repairing any equipment, you should first use a tester to de-energize it. The tester will show that a respective wire has an electrical current flowing when the tester’s bulb lights up. It will only happen when the tester touches a hot or live wire.
That’s why before proceeding with the repair, make sure to check any hanging wires, service panels’ outer metallic covering, and all the other wires.
Doing this will ensure that all live wires are de-energized, which will prevent any possible electrocution.
- Don’t Overload Your Outlets
Although your outlets may seem too robust, it’s still safer not to overload them. It means that you should avoid plugging in many equipment or gadgets into it all at once. If the outlet has reached a certain extent of electricity delivery, it may result in a small explosion or fire.
If you’re using many electronic devices, use an energy-saving power strip. Or you may have to use only one outlet for a supercomputer and another for other devices. That way, you can prevent overloading your outlet.
- Prioritize Personal Safety
Most importantly, you have to keep yourself safe when operating any equipment, whether it’s a big or small one.
With such, here are some personal safety precautions you need to practice:
- Even when you’ve disconnected the large capacitors from the circuit, they can still hold high voltage. Thus, you still have to be cautious when handling such capacitors.
- If need be, wear safety eyewear or goggles, especially if the gadget will emit fumes, vapors, or mists.
- Before connecting alligator clips, make sure to remove power to a circuit.
- When the voltage is over 300V, avoid holding the test prods when measuring the voltage.
- Use a shorting stick to remove high-voltage charges on capacitors.
- When repairing anything, always wear insulator gloves.
- Non-conductive shoes are also a must.
- Remove bracelets, rings, watches, and other metallic jewelry when working.
- Avoid wearing loose or flapping clothing when working.
- Make sure that you’re working in a well-ventilated area.
- Ensure that your work area is always dry.
Conclusion
Whether you’re using an electronic gadget at home or work, doing the safety precautions above will help prevent injuries. You never know when accidents happen, so it’s best to keep yourself safe even before you start working.
More importantly, when you ensure safety when using such gadgets, you’re also protecting the people around you.
