Page 393 - IGC BOOK

Arcing

Electricity can jump, or arc, across small gaps between two
conductors, the possibility is limited with low-voltage
electrical equipment. But high voltage can arc across an air
gap, causing shock or burn without touching live voltage
parts. High voltage power lines can arc even 10 metres.

Risks associated with arcing:

• Electric shock
• Direct and indirect burns from the heat generated by arc.
• Ultraviolet radiation can cause damage to eyes.
• Fire and explosion – overheat electrical equipment.

Fires and Explosion

Electricity may start fires in various ways.

The major causes are:
• overheating of cables and electrical equipment because of overloading of conductors.

• leakage currents because of poor or inadequate insulation.
• overheating of flammable materials placed too close to electrical equipment, which is
otherwise operating normally.

• the ignition of flammable materials by arcing or sparking of electrical equipment.

Static Electricity

Produced when two substances are rubbed together or separated. The substances can be solid
or fluid. The rubbing or separating causes the transmission of electrons from one substance to
another. As a result of this one substance being positively charged and the other substance
being negatively charged. When either substance comes in contact with a conductor, an
electrical current flow until it is at the same electrical potential as ground. This is referred to as
electrostatic discharge(esD).

Secondary Hazards and Risks

As a result of electric shock people may fall from
height, when electricity flow through body it creates
muscular spasm, as this may be severe affects leg
muscles causing body being thrown away several
metres.

ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 11 – Electricity 4