Electrical Industry Canada: Test & Measurement Issue - 10

ELECTRICIANS WORLDWIDE:
COMMON MISTAKES & BEST PRACTICES
BY FLUKE CORPORATION
Although there are different codes and standards for electrical systems around the world, it's probably no surprise that electricians and
maintenance techs from Canada to Australia and Pakistan to the Philippines share many of the same experiences and learn the same lessons.
In a recent Fluke New Plus survey, more than five dozen professionals laid out the most common mistakes they have seen and some best practices
they have developed over their careers. Some narrowly avoided a tragic incident, learning valuable lessons as a result - albeit the hard way.

First-Hand Experience
" I witnessed someone checking a 12,470-volt section of switch gear with a 600-volt meter, " recalled a journeyman electrician who works in a
healthcare facility. " Not pretty. The meter blew up and the insulation on the leads was not enough to prevent shock. This resulted in an electrician
getting the defibrillator used on him three times to bring him back, and some pretty gnarly burns to boot! "

For an instrumentation associate working in a lab, the lesson was less painful, but more direct:
" While working on an annealing oven for glass, I asked the operator where the circuit disconnect was. He pulled down the handle on a nearby
box and the lights in the control panel and controller went off. I started removing wires from the control terminal strip when my screwdriver shorted
240 V to ground, causing a huge arc and a loud bang. Fortunately, I was not injured, but that was how I learned to check for 'other sources' before
touching terminals. "
Then there's the master electrician who works in plant service. " I took 480 V through my hand and out of my leg when a disconnect failed to cut
power, " he said. " Hurt lots. "
For an engineer, the pain was mainly psychological. " Many years ago, close to the age when dirt was first discovered, I was measuring a voltage
that I knew was there but could not get a readout, " he said. " Tried and tried but nothing. Finally, I looked at the meter. I forgot to switch it from off
to on. Hello! "

ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY CANADA

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

https://www.fluke.com/en-ca https://www.fluke.com/en-ca

Electrical Industry Canada: Test & Measurement Issue

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