SAFETY

Safety Problems have been recognized and understood for many years. In the engineering
laboratory, most of the safety problems are known and can be guarded against. That does not mean that
proper precautions are always observed, however.

The problems of electrical shock are well-known. Fatalities from shock have occurred at
voltages as low as 24 V AC. The current and the path determine the result. Above 6 - 9 mA, people
freeze to a circuit; at 25 mA, muscles jerk spasmodically, and between 50 – 200 mA, ventricular
fibrillation can occur leading to death if the path crosses the chest.

VERY IMPORTANT
When performing an experiment, never play around or make jokes with each other. It may take
your concentration away from what you are doing and mistakes can be costly in the form of damages to
the instrument or personal injury to you or to others.

In case somebody is electrocuted, put him away from the live circuit or equipment with a stick
that is not a conductor or immediately turn off the power. If he faints, revive him by artificial respiration
or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while someone is calling a doctor.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Arrange the instruments in an orderly manner within the vicinity of the devices to be tested so that
reading and recording of data is easily facilitated.

2. Put OFF the main switch before making changes of connections on instruments. Use rubber gloves
where necessary.

3. Never put ON the circuit switch unless you are sure that no person is touching the circuit. Do not alter
live circuit connections with your bare hands or insulated tools.

4. Avoid loose or hanging wire connections. Loose connections can cause erroneous results in the
experiments. It can cause short circuits when the loosened connections touched other wires in the circuit.
Hanging wire connections may cause somebody to trip over and may cause electric shock to innocent
bystander.

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

5. Handle instruments carefully. Improper handling of laboratory instruments can cause damage or
defects in the operation of the instruments. Consult your instructor whenever instrument operation is not
familiar to you.

6. Put the instrument range at its highest when the quantity to be measured is not known.

7. Never use defective instruments or equipment. Return them immediately.

8. Beware of pointed wires when splicing and making circuit connections.

9. Short-circuit terminals of a capacitor before handling them. Electric charges of a capacitor can be fatal
to a person.

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