Electrical Tips. Page Three

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="044fd5a3.jpg"> <div> <B>I.R. Johnson (Electrical)                  </B><B>   </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>|     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="I.R. Johnson (Electrical) "><U>home</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Electrical Tips"><U>Electrical Tips</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tips. Page Two"><U>Tips. Page Two</U></A>   |   <B>Electrical Tips. Page Three</B>   |   <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Electrical Tips. Page Four"><U>Electrical Tips. Page Four</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Electrical Tips. Page Five"><U>Electrical Tips. Page Five</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="045d2b03.jpg"> <div> www.Sparkey.biz</div> <div> <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tips. Page Two"><U><I><IMG SRC="0d35f230.gif" border=0 width="95" height="35" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Electrical Tips. Page Four"><U><I><IMG SRC="0785f230.gif" border=0 width="95" height="35" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Electrical Tips. Index"><U><I><IMG SRC="1315f230.gif" border=0 width="95" height="35" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="I.R. Johnson (Electrical) "><U><IMG SRC="08c62250.gif" border=0 width="98" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#CCFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Electrical Tips. Page Three</I><I>   </I><I>    </I><I>                                     </I><I> <A NAME="top"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></I></div> <div> <I>Garden Safety</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> 1.  When using mains powered equipment in the garden, eg: Electric mowers, Hedge trimmers etc. It is essential to have a protective device, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" >Rcd</FONT>. (Trip) controlling power to the equipment so that in the event of a fault, the power is quickly and automatically turned off. This can take the form of a waterproof wall socket installed to the outside wall of your home, an adaptor to plug into an existing socket or a protective device installed in your consumer unit.</div> <bR> <div> 2. All extension cables must be in good condition, (No cuts or abrasions) and should be fitted with waterproof connectors, properly installed.</div> <bR> <div> 3. It is advisable to use double insulated equipment where possible to eliminate shock risk.</div> <bR> <div> 4. All fixed outside installations eg: lighting, power for workshops/sheds and in particular ponds and greenhouses should be carried out by a professional.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Home Safety.</I></div> <bR> <div> 1<I>. </I>Plugs fitted to any equipment must be fitted correctly, with the cable secured by the integral cord grip to the outside sleeving of the cable. The cord grip must <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" ><U>not </U></FONT>be clamped to the inner cores/conductors of the cable otherwise damage will occur. On no account must the cores of the cable be exposed outside of the plug casing.</div> <bR> <div> 2.  Flexes subject to continual movement, eg: vacuum cleaners, electric irons, hair dryers etc. must be frequently checked for wear and should not show signs of fraying or cracking or they will have to be replaced. The correct flex for the current consumption of the appliance must always be used, and if the original flex contains an earth wire, so must any replacement flex. If it is heat resisting, do not replace with non heat resisting.</div> <bR> <div> 3. Pendant flexes should be connected properly to lampholders and should be of the double insulated type. Twisted or flat twin figure eight flex should be replaced as soon as possible. Lampholders should not be cracked or damaged.</div> <bR> <div> 4. All switches and socket outlets should be replaced if damaged, or if showing distress through heating up. Heating is usually caused by poorly connected flexes or contact wear to sockets or plugs. Often it is necessary to replace both. at the same time. Sockets without switches are not really acceptable these days and should be replaced.</div> <bR> <div> 5. Any household wiring installation consisting of either rubber or lead covered cables must be replaced as soon as practically possible. Any installation damaged by rodents must be investigated and corrected. An electrical installation over ten years of age should be tested and inspected.</div> <bR> <div> 6. Any additional sockets or lighting points must be installed with due regard to current consumption of the circuit and voltage drop etc. so is best carried out by a professional.</div> <bR> <div> 7. Heaters should not be used for drying or airing clothes, this can cause overheating with possible fire risk. Portable heaters must <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" ><U>never </U></FONT>be used in a bathroom and should always be used in the proper position, not tipped, propped up or balanced on other objects. Do not use heaters with elements exposed to the touch, all modern heaters must have a safety grill fitted over elements. Fixed heaters should never be positioned over doors or within reach of someone using a bath or shower. Immersion heaters installed in water tanks should not be covered with clothes or insulation material. This is a common cause of fire in the home.</div> <bR> <div> 8. Earth wires connected to water pipes, sinks baths etc. are there for a purpose, Your Safety, they must never be removed. If in the event of plumbing work resulting in disconnected earth wires, call a professional electrician to refit or replace.</div> <div>       </div> <div> 9. Enclosed light fittings. Always use the correct size bulb for the fitting. Do not be tempted to use a larger wattage bulb as the additional heat generated  will damage the fitting and quite probably the wiring connecting it. A sticky label fixed to the interior of the fitting usually advises the correct bulb.       </div> <bR> <div> 10. </div> <div> 11. When fitting anything to the walls of your house and before you drill fixing holes, make sure there are no switches or sockets directly under or above the drilling position. If there is you will need to determine if the connected cables are in a position to be damaged by drilling. Although there are electronic cable finders available, they are notoriously inaccurate and temperamental. The best way is to remove the switch or socket to determine just where the cables are positioned in the box. If the wiring has been done correctly, the cables should be in a vertical line from the top or bottom. of the accessory box. If in doubt, consult an electrician.</div> <bR> <div> 11. Electric kettles, steam irons, pressure washers etc If a water leak is suspected. Do not attempt to use. </div> <bR> <div> 12. Miniature Power Supplies. It seems these days every household has at least five of these items powering everything from razors, toothbrushes, mobile phones, computer equipment, torches etc. If you are not using the supply, unplug it from its socket and put away until next required. There have been many cases of these units overheating and catching fire, often resulting in severe damage to property. As a retained fireman, I have witnessed the damage these things can cause. Personally I do not trust them, even though I have to use them myself.</div> <bR> <div> !3. If you use an extension lead in the home, especially the enclosed drum type, do not use it with just a small amount of lead unwound. These leads get hot when coiled and will, if connected to power for a period of time, melt and catch fire. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" ><U>Always</U></FONT><U> </U>uncoil the lead completely before use.</div> <div>                                                                         </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> </B><A HREF="#top" TITLE="Electrical Tips. Page Three"><U><B>Top</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>