Earthing,

Safety Precautions
and
Maintenance of Electric Machine

The complete circuit

A complete Circuit or loop is

necessary for current to flow

Electrical Hazards
Basically,

electrical

hazards

can

be

categorized into three types.

The first and most commonly recognized
hazard is electrical shock.
The second type of hazard is electrical burns
and
The third is the effects of blasts which include
pressure

impact,

vaporized conductors.

flying

particles

from

A complete circuit
Complete Circuit or loop is necessary for current to flow

Current takes the path of least resistance

Electrical Shock
Received when current passes
through the body
You become part of the circuit

Severity of a shock depends on:

Path of current through the body
Amount of current flowing through
the body
Length of time the body is in the
circuit

Step Potential

Step potential

Touch Potential

Effect of electricity on human body

Burns
Surface
Deep tissue

Electric Shock
Muscular Contraction
Asphyxia (unable to breath)
Respiratory Arrest(breathing
slows or stop,heart active)

Ventricular Fibrillation
(unconsciousness due to lack of
oxygen)

Electrical Burns

Most common shock-related, nonfatal

injury.

Occurs when you touch electrical wiring

or equipment that is improperly used or
maintained.

Typically occurs on the hands

Very

serious

injury

immediate attention

that

needs

Human Body Resistance

Summary of Effect of Electric Current

Current

Reaction

1 mA

Perception level

5 mA

Slight shock felt; not painful but disturbing

6-30 mA

Painful shock

50mA - 0.150 A

Extreme pain, respiratory arrest, severe muscular

contraction

1A - 4.3 A

Ventricular fibrillation (unconsciousness)

10+ A

Cardiac arrest, severe burns and probable death

Clues that Electrical Hazards Exist

Tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
Warm tools, wires, cords, connections, or junction boxes
GFCI that shuts off a circuit
Worn or frayed insulation around wire or connection

Causes of Electrical Hazards

Most

electrical

mishaps

are

caused

by

combination

of

a
three

factors:
Unsafe

equipment

and/or

installation,
Workplaces made unsafe by
the environment
Unsafe work practices

Overload Hazards

If too many devices are plugged into a

circuit, the current will heat the wires
to a very high temperature, which may
cause a fire

If the wire insulation melts, arcing may

occur and cause a fire in the area
where the overload exists, even inside
a wall

Preventing Electrical Hazards

Ways of protecting workers and preventing electrical
hazards are:
Safe work practices
Insulation
Grounding
Electrical protective devices (GFCI)

Safe Work Practices

Moisture provides a conductive path
that could result in death.

Never work with wet tools or clothing.

Remove Your Jewelry

Watch bands, bracelets.

Insulation
Check insulation prior to
using cables, tools, or
equipment
Remove from service any
tools or equipment with
damaged insulation

Cabinets, Boxes, and Fittings

Junction boxes and fittings must have

approved covers

Unused openings in cabinets, boxes and

fittings must be closed

Hand-Held Electric Tools

Hand-held electric tools pose a potential

danger because they make continuous contact
with the hand

To protect you from shock, burns, and

electrocution, tools must:
Have a three-wire cord with ground and be
plugged into a grounded receptacle, or
Be double insulated

Panel Boxes
Panel boxes are used to house circuit breakers that
block or isolate energy
Ensure panel boxes remain clear
Label all circuits for what they control
Label panel boxes for what they control

Grounding and Earthing

Grounding

creates

low-

resistance path from a tool to the

earth to disperse unwanted current

When a short or lightning occurs,

energy

flows

protecting

you

to

the

from

shock, injury and death

ground,
electrical

Electrical circuits - Earthing

Very important for safety !

Prevents conducting parts of equipment (ie. metal frames or lids),

which do not normally conduct electricity from becoming live during
faults.

Earthing

Types of Earthing
Plate Earthing
Pipe Earthing

Large power stations

0.5 ohm

Main Substations-

1 ohm

Small Sub stattions

6 ohm

Work on Electrical Equipment

Always ISOLATE supply
Switch off using a device that will create an air gap that
should not fail
Lock off where possible to prevent inadvertent switching ON
whilst work taking place
Always test conductors in a reliable way before touching (ie.
test the test device before and after use!)

Permit to work may be required for higher

voltage or complex installations

Electric Shock - Treatment

Isolate supply immediately Call the doctor

If you cannot isolate DO NOT attempt to touch casually

Physically remove victim using non-conducting implements

Check for pulse / breathing, give artificial respiration if necessary

Electrical Rescue Techniques

Approaching the accident:
Never rush into an accident situation.
Call the doctor as soon as possible.
Get the aid of trained electrical personnel if possible.
Approach the accident scene cautiously.

Electrical Rescue Techniques

Examining the scene:
Visually examine victims to determine if they are in contact with
energized conductors.
Metal surfaces, objects near the victim or the earth itself may be
energized.
You may become a victim if you touch an energized victim or
conductive surface.
Do not touch the victim or conductive surfaces while they are
energized.
De-energize electrical circuits if at all possible.

Electrical Rescue Techniques

Methods to de-energize:
An extension or power cord probably powers portable electrical
equipment.
Unplug portable electrical equipment to remove power.
Open a disconnecting device or circuit breaker to de-energize
fixed electrical equipment.

Electrical Rescue Techniques

Hazards and solutions:
Be alert for hazards such as stored energy, heated surfaces and fire.
If you cant de-energize the power source use extreme care:
Ensure that your hands and feet are dry.
Wear protective equipment such as low voltage gloves and
overshoes if available.
Stand on a clean dry surface.
Use nonconductive material to remove a victim from the conductor.

Electrical Rescue Techniques

High voltage rescue:
Special training is required for rescues if high voltage is present.
Protective equipment such as high voltage gloves and
overshoes must be worn.
Special insulated tools should be used

Electrical Rescue Techniques

Insulated tools:
Insulated tools, with high voltage ratings, are a lifesaver!
Use devices such as hot sticks(insulated pole of fibreglass) or
(high quality fibreglass) shotgun sticks to remove a victim from
energized conductors.
In some cases, nonconductive rope or cord may be used to
remove a victim from a conductor.

Electrical Rescue Techniques

Rescuing the victim:
Stand on a dry rubber blanket or other insulating material if
possible.
Do not touch the victim or conductive material near the victim
until the power is off.
Once power is off, examine the victim to determine if they should
be moved.
Give First Aid.

Electrical Rescue Techniques

First Aid:
A victim may require Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
If the victim is breathing and has a heartbeat, give first aid for injuries
and treat for shock.
Ensure the victim gets medical care as soon as possible.
Provide medical personnel with information on voltage level, shock
duration & entry/exit points.
The treating/attending physician must have detailed specific information
to properly diagnose and care for the victim.
The physician must determine whether the victim should be sent to a
Trauma or Burn Center.

Stay with the victim until help

arrives.

REMEMBER!
The results of a mistake with electrical energy occur at the speed of
light. There is not time to react after the error is made. You must think
ahead.

Pre-job briefs, planned work instructions, and facility requirements are

not optional. Pay attention and obey all the rules, not just the ones that
are convenient.

They provide the edge you need to be safe with

electrical energy.

Post-job reviews help keep us from repeating errors participate in

them.

You are responsible for your safety.

Preventive maintenance of Induction motor

Important aspects of maintenance

Protective paint should be kept in good condition and repainted, if needed.

Motor should be cleaned by blowing air at regular intervals

Motor should be kept dry and clean. The stator and rotor winding should be kept free from oil,
grease, dampness, dirt etc

Air gap between stator and rotor should be kept free from accumulation of dirt.

Terminal connections should be kept clean and tight to maintain good contact.

Insulation resistance of the winding should be tested periodically. If its value falls below 1M,
If low insulation resistance is indicated for a number of times, a coat of insulating varnish in
the machine winding is to be provided after drying.

Preventive maintenance of Induction motor

Important aspects of maintenance

Ball and roller bearings should be greased in case they make noise. Required quantity of
grease should be put. Every three years, old grease should be replaced by the new one.

Dust , oil, moisture should not be allowed to accumulate on the surface of slip ring and brush
gear. Tensions of the springs should be checked for correct brush pressure on the rings.

The covers of the controllers, starters and rheostats should be removed periodically for
inspection. The contacts and insulating parts should be cleaned.

Resistance of the earth continuity wire should be measured periodically to check the
effectiveness of the system.

Control circuit schemes if used for remote control, interlocks etc.. should be checked for
proper functioning

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

(Reproduced by permission from IS: 900-1965)

Daily Maintenance
1. Examine visually earth connections and motor leads
2. Check motor windings for overheating (the permissible maximum temperature is
about that which can comfortably felt by hand)
3. Examine control equipments

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

(Reproduced by permission from IS: 900-1965)
Weekly Maintenance
1.Air gap between rotor and stator should be checked
2.Blow of windings of protected type motors situated in dust locations
3.Examine the starting equipments for starting contacts where the motor is started and
stopped frequently
4.Examine oil in the case oil ring lubricated bearing for contamination by dust, grit etc

Monthly maintenance
1. Overhaul controllers
2. Inspect and clean oil circuit breakers
3. Renew oil in high-speed bearings in dump and dusty locations
4. Wipe brush holders and check bedding of brushes of slip ring motors

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

(Reproduced by permission from IS: 900-1965)

Half yearly maintenance

Clean windings of motors subjected to corrosive or other elements , also bake and
varnish, if necessary
In case of slip ring motors, check slip rings for grooving an unusual wear
Check grease in ball and roller bearings and make it up where necessary, taking care of
avoiding overfilling
Drain all oil from bearings, wash with petrol to which a few drops of oil have been added,
flush with lubricating oil and refill with clean oil.

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

(Reproduced by permission from IS: 900-1965)

Annual maintenance

Check all high speed bearings and renew, if necessary

Blow out oil from bearings thoroughly with clean dry air. Make sure that the pressure
is not so high as to damage the insulation

Clean and varnish dirty and oily windings

Overhaul motors which have been subjected to severe operating conditions

Renew

switch

and

fuse

contacts,

if

damaged

Check oil

Renew oil in starters subjected to damp or corrosive elements

Check insulation resistance to earth and between phases of motor windings, control
gear and wiring

Check resistance to earth connections

Check air gaps