By Dwight Barnett
Scripps Howard News Service Watching some neighbors stringing holiday wiring recently, I began to wonder how many people are aware of the dangers of working with electricity.
Household electrical outlets supply 110 volts, at 15 to 20 amps. That's a lot more than needed to kill an average-sized person.
So maybe this is a good time for some reminders.
Electrical current always seeks the least resistance to ground, even dry ground. If you're on damp soil or concrete while working with electricity, there is added danger because your body has become a grounding rod. A wet surface increases the ability of any material to carry current. Water and electricity simply do not mix.
To protect from shock, the wiring we use has an insulated covering. We must make sure the insulator is not broken or damaged.
Before handling outdoor wiring, check to ensure there are no cuts or nicks where the metal might be exposed. When attaching the wire to wood siding or wood trim on your house, use a stapler with a special attachment for installing wiring or use insulated staples that can be hammered in. Do not drive staples so tight they damage the wire. Do not use a nail bent over the wiring or use a screwdriver to poke the wiring under the metal drip edge on the roof or gutter.
Again, if you damage the wiring's insulation there is the danger of a shock. Make sure wiring is unplugged while you install it, and always use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. A GFCI is easily recognizable by the test and reset buttons on the face of the outlet or at the breaker panel.
If you have to use an extension cord, use one designed for outdoor use. Do not run an extension cord from inside under a door or window to outside.
The plug ends of cords should be kept dry. Connections should be made above ground and in a covered area.
(C. Dwight Barnett is a master inspector certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors. Questions may be addressed to him at PO Box 14091, Evansville, IN 47728, or e-mail dbarnett@evansville.net .)
)
