This segment will cover the basics of dealing with electrical safety.
Electricians prefer to use wood ladders because they help resist electricity.
Wood ladders - or aluminum ladders with "rubber feet".
Use Insulated tools.Tools can be insulated, or rubber-coated on the handle, to also help resist electricity.
Rubber-coated handles are more comfortable to use, too!
Rubber-coated handles are more comfortable to use, too!
8" open-end adjustable wrench
Insulated 8" open-end adjustable wrench
Turn off and unplug the power supply when working on an instrument or other component.Whenever working on a lighting instrument or other component, be sure it's unplugged and the power is off.
Unplug by pulling the connector; not the cord!
Remember: Electricity finds the shortest route to a positive source.Birds on a wire are safe because there's no advantage for the power to go through them. It just wants to get to a positive source as quickly as possible.
But if you hold onto a power line while on the ground, you could be in serious trouble.
AC vs. DC
With large supplies of DC current, the body may not be given a chance to let go.
One reason AC is safer is because during the quick change of polarity, the body can let go of the electrical source.
Remember: electricity is a tool, but its power should be respected.
The muscles in your body work, in part, due to tiny amounts of electricity. When in contact with a large amount of electrical current, the muscles "freeze" up and, therefore, don't let you break the circuit.
