According to the report of the National Fire Protection Association, the cause behind 80% of the fatal injuries is the high voltage electrical system. And most of the people involved in such accidents are the workers who were either repairing the system or were cleaning it.
One such high voltage electrical system is the transformer. From the perspective of a layman, the only work of an electric transformer is just to continue the supply of power. However, an electrician in Woodlands that works in this field, like you, know how important and challenging it is to ensure the proper working of transformers. Because if anything goes wrong, it could be a threat to your life.
That’s why there are some safety rules (as per the ISO 9001 requirements and UL, CUL, VDE, CE standards) that you must follow when working with a transformer.
Make sure to shut down the transformer.
First things first, whenever you are assigned a task related to the transformer, you have to cut the power supply and ensure that the circuit is shut down. As you are dealing with current, stopping the supply will ensure no leakage and the system is safe to use. Also, before you start working, you need to check for broken wires, conductors, or if there is any burning smell.
Moreover, you should wear all the personal protective equipment, which is designed for working with high voltage systems.
Should never skip periodic maintenance
Although, the life of the transformer is 20 to 30 years. It does require regular maintenance so that it stays in the best condition. Therefore, the experts at USM suggest painting them to avoid the issue of corrosion control and coverage of radiator tubes. It will ensure that moisture and rusting do not affect the transformer.
Moreover, regular maintenance will also include checking any loose wires, nuts, or spare parts and eventually ensuring that it doesn’t cause any damage.
Knowledge about manufacturer’s standard
Another thing that you need to know is the manufacturer’s standard. Understand that every transformer is made differently and includes several wires, circuits, and conductors. It is not possible for you to fully understand how the wires are being set for the best current protection mechanism. Therefore, you shouldn’t modify the manufacturer’s settings.
If you have any query regarding the same, you should get in touch with other technical experts.
Besides these three safety rules, you also need to adhere to the following points before starting the work:
- Use of caution signals is mandatory: Whenever you are doing any work regarding a maintenance or any other severe issue, you need to put a sign of caution. Moreover, you should also warn the people residing in the area so that any adversity can be prevented.
- Prevent static electricity: Needless to say that it is a very dangerous job, so you need to be 100% sure that the transformer is grounded. It will protect the coils from getting enclosed and will obstruct the static electricity.
The bottom line
These are the safety rules that you need to follow, and in case somebody doesn’t follow them, you should advise them. It will help you in proper working of the transformer along with your safety.