Electrical Maintenance and Repair: Introduction to Basic Electricity

Transcription

1 Electrical Maintenance and Repair: Introduction to Basic Electricity Common Electrical Maintenance Tasks The following are common electrical maintenance tasks you will encounter. Repairs Example: Replacing a switch Preventive Maintenance Example: Replacing old bulbs with incandescent lights Make Ready Maintenance Example: Replacing old, unsafe outlets Emergency Maintenance Example: Making things safe after water damage Educating Residents Example: Explaining how to prevent electrical fires, or make an apartment baby-proof Laws and Codes Example: Installing and maintaining smoke detectors Company Policies Example: Documenting electrical work, reaching delivery standards Page 1of 6

2 Electricity vs. Plumbing An electrical system is similar to a plumbing system. Electrical System Current enters through wires. The power is controlled by a switch. Plumbing System Water is supplied to a building through pipes. Water is controlled by the handle of a faucet. Electricity flows to a device such as a light bulb, under pressure on a hot wire. Electrical pressure is measured in volts. Electrical current returns to its source on a neutral wire under no pressure. Water flows to the spout of a faucet under pressure. Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch. Water leaves through a drain pipe, under no pressure. Page 2of 6

3 Key Electrical Terms The following is a list of Key Electrical Terms you should know as you perform electrical maintenance work. Conductor A wire, or any material, that allows electricity to flow through it. Current The movement of electricity in a conductor. Power Electricity we use. Amps (ampere) The speed of the current s movement. Volts Watts A measurement of electricity in terms of pressure. Total energy consumed. Resistance Opposition to the flow of current. Ohms A unit of electrical resistance. Continuity Unbroken flow of electricity through a conductor. Resistance is less than 1 ohm. Short Circuit A conductor with no path to the ground (in the air, for example) comes into contact with another conductor that is connected to the ground, causing less resistance and higher voltage. Page 3 of 6

4 Overload More current than the circuit wires or electrical device was designed to carry. Hot Wire A conductor with current running through it. Neutral Wire A conductor used to return current to its source under no pressure. Ground Wire A conductor that connects electricity to the earth for safety. Page 4 of 6

5 Key Tools for Electrical Maintenance The following Key Tools are recommended for electrical maintenance work. Repair Tools Insulated Screwdriver Rubber-coated handle that reduces the risk of shock. Insulated Combination Tool Cuts cables and wires; measures wire gauges; strips wires. Insulated Needle-Nose Pliers Bends and shapes wires to connect them to screw terminals. Some have cutting jaws to cut wires. Cable Ripper Fits over non-metallic wire to safely strip and remove its vinyl sheath. Fiberglass Ladder Safest choice for electrical work because it will not conduct electricity. Never use aluminum ladders. Lockout/Tag-Out Kit Identifies a circuit breaker as shut off and secured so you can repair devices on the circuit safely. Page 5 of 6

6 Testing Tools Neon Circuit Tester Continuity Tester Plug-In Tester Multi-Meter Checks circuit wires for power. Checks switches, lighting fixtures, and other devices for faults. Has a battery that generates current, and a loop of wire for creating an electrical circuit. Identifies hot and neutral slots on standard 3-slot receptacle. Can also test for grounding Can accomplish all of the tests of the Neon Circuit Tester, Continuity Tester, and Plug-In Tester. Page 6 of 6