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As we look ahead to May, which is National Electrical Safety Month, I’d like to share some shocking facts about electrical safety information that may spark some reaction. Black out is a product of an transformer explosion, that’s the time you appreciate the presence of an urgent electrician Melbourne.

It’s been reported by Electrical Safety Foundation International that there are over 400 electrocutions in the United States each year. Of these, approximately 180 are related to consumer products. 10% of those were cause by large appliances.

In the workplace, the National Safety Council indicates that electrical hazards cause nearly one workplace fatality every day.

• Electrical hazards are listed as the cause of approximately 4,000 injuries annually.
• Electrical incidents are far more likely to be fatal.
• Electricity ranks sixth among all causes of occupational injury in the United States.
• Electricity is the cause of more than 140,000 fires each year, resulting in 400 deaths, 4,000 injuries and $1.6 billion in property damage.
• Total economic losses due to electrical hazards are estimated to exceed $4 billion annually.

In the workplace, Electrical Safety is especially important. Some workers are exposed to much more powerful electrical sources than at home. The dangers are compounded when procedures are not followed and the proper Personal Protective Equipment is not used.

Once specific area that needs focused attention is guarding against arc flash. An arc flash is the light and heat produced from an electric arc supplied with sufficient electrical energy to cause substantial damage, harm, fire, or injury. Electrical arcs experience negative resistance, which causes the electrical resistance to decrease as the arc temperature increases.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• Arc flash injuries are not counted in the Electrical shock statistics (they are noted under burns), meaning that the true rates are even higher;
• 2,000 workers are treated in specialized burn trauma centers each year as a result of arc flash injuries;
• Every 30 minutes a worker suffers an electrical injury that requires time off;

What this means to the employer in terms of cost

• Equipment, Litigation, & Medical Cost Associated with Electrical Hazards
• Monetary cost can easily exceed $1 million, which includes the costs of equipment replacement, downtime, and insurance
• Medical costs for severe electrical burns can exceed $4 million per person
• Work-related injuries can cost businesses well over $30 million in fines, medical costs, litigation, lost business and equipment costs
• About 80% of electrically related accidents and fatalities involving “Qualified Workers” are caused by arc flash / arc blast. Even trained experts get hurt!
• 21% of electrical injuries (including arc flash) tended to be permanent.
• U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics determined arc flash injuries accounted for 77% of all recorded electrical injuries.

Training and the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial in protecting employees from injury. Training should cover the care and use of the PPE, giving the qualified worker the empowerment to make life safety decisions. A good rule of thumb for Arc Flash protection is to use PPE that has an arc rating equal to or greater than the calculated incident energy.

Know more that machines are prone to issues and unpredictability. Common sense tells us that workers need to wear protective gear when working in close proximity to potentially dangerous electrical equipment. Why then is it that many workers (even very qualified and experienced ones) aren’t more vigilant in donning PPE. We’ve heard the excuses that they feel that PPE slows them down and that they think the repair will be quicker without. Don’t allow your employees to spend the rest of their lives regretting that decision.

OSHA is very specific on employer and employee responsibilities when it comes to electrical hazards and PPE.

Becoming a after hours electrician Melbourne is a promising job, because everyone needs electrical services either for new home construction or maintenance. You need education, experience, and drive to become an electrician, but once you get through the initial phase, it’s a career of a lifetime. If you’re thinking about creating a career as an electrician, here are five things you should know.

1) You Will Need Many Years of Training and Experience

Just like any career, you start at the bottom. To become an electrician, you start as an apprentice. You’ll follow and learn from a master technician for about four years before you move on to work alone. Because electricians work with colored wires, you can’t be color blind, which can be a physical limitation for some people. Most electricians go to training while they do their apprenticeship. You need about 2,000 hours of hands-on training for four years.

2) You Need to Choose an Area of Expertise

Once you get through your apprenticeship, you need to choose an area of expertise. This is your focus as an electrician. You can focus on commercial work or residential. The difference is that residential technicians stick to home construction and maintenance, and commercial electricians work in offices or buildings. You can also choose to be an industrial technician or a lineman. Industrial technicians work in factories and large facilities like data centers or processing plans. Linemen are the electricians that bring electricity from the electrical plant’s public lines to the outside contact of the home.

3) There is Some Danger in Being an Electrician

Electricians work with high-power electrical equipment. There is some danger when working as a technician because there is always the chance of electrocution. You also need to be in shape since working with electrical wiring requires some climbing and maneuvering into a building or home. Being an electrician is definitely more physical than working behind a desk, but many people prefer physical activity over sitting at a desk all day.

4) You Need a License

Electricians are licensed contractors, so get ready for schooling and exams for your license. If you are more of a hands-on learner, you can learn on the job to get the practice you need to pass the exam. However you learn, you must find the best way to retain facts and learn how to pass the exam. As we previously mentioned, you need to also work as an apprentice for about four years before you can make it on your own. Electricians go through several years (almost as long as a doctor) of training before becoming a master technician.

5) You Can Make a Good Salary

The average wage of an electrician depends on your location and your area of expertise, but the average salary for a standard electrician is between $50,000 and $60,000 each year. This figure increases as you gain more experience and become a master electrician.

If you think you want to be an electrician, know more it’s a great career that takes some upfront schooling and work but can last you a lifetime. It’s also interesting and saves you from sitting at a desk all day.

If you’re a professional electrician you’re probably on the lookout for the latest and greatest tools that can provide great results fast for all your electrical jobs. Most tools are easily available, but if you’re in the electrical trade, you know that there are some top quality branded tools that can last for decades and other cheaper tools commonly known as ‘throw away tools’ that need to be replaced over and over again. During emergency we expect a quick response from the emergency electrician Melbourne, most of the time they are on time but there are times that there is some quite delay but good thing they make sure the job is done correctly.

More often than not quality always prevails over price and choosing the right tools wisely, even if you’re just starting out or want to build an electrical kit for home use will save you much time and headache in the long run. In this post we’ll help you select some of the top tools that every home user, beginner or pro electrician needs in their tool-bag:

1. Tape Measure

A must-have for beginners and pro electricians alike, a tape measure is essential for measuring heights for switch and outlet placement, centering lighting fixtures and so much more. For under $15 we recommend Lufkin self-centering tape, clear-coated blade protection for more durable markings and designed to fit comfortably in hand.

2. Multimeter

Checking voltages and current is critical to any electrical job. A multimeter is an important all-in-one tester used to measure voltages, current and resistance in an electrical circuit and can help you locate power fluctuation causes like shoddy wiring. Klein Tools offers some budget and pro multimeters to suit your needs. For serious electricians we recommend the Klein Tools MM5000 Electrician’s TRMS Multimeter.

3. Wire Stripper

A handy tool to strip or cut off the insulation on wires. A good quality wire stripper will do a clean job every time and is designed with a cutoff portion and various sized cutting teeth for different sized wires or cable. Top models include ergonomically designed handles requiring less hand force and curved cutting blades to ensure cleaner, precise cuts. We offer many quality wire stripper options you can choose from starting as low as $10.

4. Fish tape

Also known as draw wire/tape, fish tape is used by electricians to route new wiring through walls, metal, electrical and PVC conduit. We recommend Wide Steel Fish Tape by Klein Tools – available in different lengths along with Klein cable lube to assist in guiding the tape through narrow spaces.

5. Non-contact Voltage Detector

There’ll be many times you’ll need to do a quick safety check to see if there is a current present or a circuit is indeed live. A voltage detector is either automatic or has an on/off switch. Pick the one that suits your budget and needs. We recommend the Klein voltage tester; a durable tester that will provide accurate test readings and a long service life on the job-site, in the shop and at home. At under $20 we recommend the Klein Tools NCVT-2 Dual Range Non-Contact Voltage Tester.

6. Plier

Pliers come in many types depending on what needs to done. For example, side-cutting or diagonal pliers are specially designed for wire cutting. Their cutting edge goes to the tip of the pliers and comes in handy to trim wires in tight spaces. You’ll also need a quality set of do-it-all pliers. These can cut wire, twist wires together using their squared off tip and grip and pull wire. We carry a wide range of pliers for any job at hand.

7. Level

A great installation starts with getting the basics right. A level is used to make sure all your work is level including straight outlet covers, wall plates and switches. For just over $5 the hands-free magnetic Torpedo level is a steal. Lightweight and compact, it provides accurate readings, including horizontal, vertical and at 45-degree angles.

8. Flashlight

Any pro electrician will tell you that proper lighting is key to any electrical job, and that you should never try and reach into a panel without proper lighting. When lighting conditions on the job site are not the best, a good flashlight or work light can save the day. We offer over 50 types of flashlights to fulfill any lighting need in any space.

9. Wire Crimper

Electrical issues are often difficult to trace down and quite often the issue might be intermittent and the result of a poor connection. A wire crimp tool is one of the best ways to repair wires causing faulty circuit connections. Investing in a good quality crimp tool ensures a long-lasting seal and will give you decades of reliable use.

10. Screwdrivers

Know more a quality set of screwdrivers can last forever. You’ll need different types like the Phillips screwdriver for Phillips head screws, and a set of straight blade screwdrivers. There are a ton of options available including electronic screwdrivers, magnetic screwdrivers for better grip, mutli-tip screwdrivers with interchangeable tips, precision screwdriver sets, pocket clip-style screwdrivers and more.