-2

I know whenever we handle Circuit breaker or Main Supply lever at home.

We have to wear a footwear which is non-conductive and insulated glove.

My question is , As far as I'm aware a tile which is not wet should be non-conductive too.

It might be worthwhile to invest on EH(Electrical Hazard) shoe for a professional but for a home owner , it's another investment which he's gonna use once in a while

  • When tripper got tripped
  • When electrical fuse is gone
  • When we pour distilled water in inverter battery

So If I don't have a non-conductive electrial hazard footwear . am i free to stand on tile and handle the circuit-breaker ?

FYI:

We're supposed to touch the Circuit breaker unit's cover when main is off. But my parents are sometimes lazy , so when the circuit breaker trips, they just touch the cover to open then turn RCB on before turning off the mains.

enter image description here

15
  • 1
    Most dry floors(except metal) should be relativity safe/non conductive. The problem is mainly with yours hands near live power and not turning main breaker/fuse off.
    – crip659
    Commented Oct 19, 2023 at 23:50
  • 4
    Can you explain more clearly why you have to work on live circuits? Commented Oct 20, 2023 at 0:43
  • 3
    There is no good reason to work on live circuits at home unless, for example, you have medical equipment critical to keeping someone alive. That is basically it.
    – Jon Custer
    Commented Oct 20, 2023 at 2:07
  • 3
    Note that insinuating you feet won't protect you from a hand-to-hand shock. And second the observation that if you need to ask this question you are probably doing something wrong.
    – keshlam
    Commented Oct 20, 2023 at 3:29
  • 2
    Panels usually have a door cover to access, to open to open/close, turn on/off the breakers. There should also be be a screwed on cover behind the door to access the breakers/wires themselves( the shocking stuff). The breakers parts you can touch from the door should be plastic/electrical insulated. Open the screw on cover is where you worry.
    – crip659
    Commented Oct 20, 2023 at 21:26

1 Answer 1

1

From a comment by the OP:

As a house owner , I won't deal with the breaker wires .. opening the panel cover to turn on the breaker which went off.

Unless there is a MAJOR fault in the wiring inside the breaker panel, then you have nothing to worry about when turning breakers on/off. If there were such a major fault, you are would have discovered it by now since it sounds like you've turned breakers on/off in this panel before.

So long as you're not being stupid (like holding a bare wire leading into a puddle of water), it doesn't matter what surface you're standing on, what clothing you're wearing, or much of anything else. The "consumer access" portion of a breaker panel is designed to keep you safe from electrical shock.

It's only when you unscrew this cover (so that you can "deal with the breaker wires") that all the extra precautions are necessary. Even then, things mentioned in the comments, like standing on a carpeted floor, wearing rubber soled shoes, etc. are more than sufficient.

Unless your floor tiles are ungrounded metal, you have nothing to worry about when turning a breaker on or off.

1
  • I got you point thanks. But just to be clear "Unless your floor tiles are ungrounded metal, you have nothing to worry " if the floor is ungrounded metal , it offers high resistance right . then there's no electricity shock risk .. am I right ? May be it's not worded properly
    – King
    Commented Oct 21, 2023 at 21:34

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.