Electrical Safety Devices at Home: Science 8

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LAGONOY HIGH SCHOOL

Lagonoy, Camarines Sur


Circuit breakers
2020-2021

Module 9 It is a safety switching device with a bimetallic strip of metal attached to a


switch. When the metal is hot, it bends and opens the circuit without
SCIENCE 8 causing harm to the circuit breaker. Unlike a fuse when it burns, this could
be reset when the problem has been corrected. Circuit breakers are often
Name: __________________________ Date: ________________ used instead of fuses in modern buildings because they do not have to be
Yr. /Sec: ________________________ replaced each time the circuit is opened.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY DEVICES AT HOME

Electricity has been an important part of our lives. It has made life
convenient, comfortable and easy. It has helped us in the field of
engineering, entertainment, healthcare, transportation, communication,
banking, finance and other industries. Hence, we feel helpless when
occasional power interruptions occur. As electricity gives us comfort and
ease of doing work, it may also endanger us causing hazards to our
properties and even loss of lives. However, we can avoid these hazards by
understanding how electricity works and how to use it properly.

Fuse
Fuses are made up of metal strip that will heat up and melt if the current
exceeds the critical value. If the strip melts, there is a break in the circuit
and electricity will stop flowing through. Once the fuse is blown out, it must
be replaced with a new one once the source of overloading is determined
and remedied.

Circuit Breaker
Other Electric Safety Features It is an electrical safety device similar to extension cords but offers more
protection against sudden increase in current flow. It is usually use to
protect higher end appliances.

Three-Prong Plug

A Three-Prong Plug is used on metal appliances. It is consists of two flat


prongs that carry current to and from the appliances and a round prong
which is for safety since it connects with a wire inside the outlet that goes Arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)
down into the ground. The third prong is also a ground conductor. If any
stray current leaks from the circuit or if there is a short circuit, the ground It is a special type of safety device that trips and break the electrical
wire carries the current into the ground, which harmlessly absorbs it. connection when current flows through an air gap between conductors.

Ground-fault circuit interrupter

(GFCI) Outlet GFCI outlets are typically found in bathrooms and kitchens
where water may come in contact with an electric circuit thereby risking a
shock. A GFCI outlet contains a device that monitors the amount of current
that goes into and out of the circuit. If less current is returning than leaving,
this means that current is escaping. When this occurs, a tiny circuit breaker
in the outlet interrupts the circuit. The breaker can be reset by pushing a
button on the outlet cover

Surge protectors
Tamper-proof receptacles electric drilling machines, hair dryers, electric fan and vacuum cleaners. Not
only are the electric wires insulated with a coating of plastic but so is the
It is an electrical safety feature that prohibits electric current to flow entire device.
through an electrical outlet unless all slots are activated simultaneously.
This is to protect young children from getting electrocuted when they insert
some metals in the slots of the outlets.

The Fuse Action


Earthing
This is how an actual household fuse inside the main switch in your homes
It is the connection of non- current carrying part of the equipment to the
looks like. Inside the fuse is an element/lead. The fuse element is made of
earth using a green or yellow wire with green stripe to discharge stray
zinc, copper, or alloys that easily melts. A smaller fuse can be found inside
currents to the earth in case of fault to protect us from electric shock.
your home appliances such as radios and televisions shown in Figure

Double insulation

Insulation that consists of both basic insulation and supplementary


insulation commonly found in equipment such as hand - held domestic Using Electricity Safely
• Don’t plug in or turn on electric lights or appliances when your
hands are wet, you are standing in water, or you are in the shower
or bathtub. The current could flow through the water—and you— Vocabulary List
because water is a good conductor of electricity.
• Don’t overload circuits. Avoid plugging too many devices into one Conductor – a material that permits electricity to flow through it.
outlet or extension cord. The more devices that are plugged in, the
more current the circuit carries. Too much current can overheat a Electrical safety – related work/practices to be aware of unwanted electrical
circuit and start a fire. accidents.
• Never use devices with damaged cords or plugs. They can cause
shocks, shorts, and fires. Insulation – a material used to stop electricity by covering wires which
• Never put anything except plugs into electric outlets. Putting any maybe made from plastics or rubber .
other object into an outlet is likely to cause a serious shock that
could be fatal. Overload circuits – a connection of too many appliances in a single outlet.
• Never go near fallen electric lines. They could have very high
voltage. Report fallen lines to the electric company as soon as Short circuit – an electrical circuit that allows current to pass through an
possible. unintended path, usually happens when damaged wires come
in contact with one another.
Electrical Safety Tips: Young children – those who are not aware of how to use electrical
appliances/devices at home.
1. Check electrical cords for wear and tear.
2. Unplug a cord by pulling on the plug, not the cord.
3. To be safer, it is important to unplug small appliances that are not
in use.
4. Be aware of the signs that a home is not wired properly.
5. Always be dry before touching anything electrical.
a. Water is a good conductor of electricity. If the human body
touches electricity and water at the same time, it can become a
conductor of electricity.
b. Electricity continually runs in electrical wires in the walls of our
homes even small appliances that are turned off can start a fire.
c. A coin in a use holder maybe unsafe when the electrical load
becomes too heavy.
d. Pulling on the cord can loosen the connection or break the cord.
e. Faulty wires are a fire hazard.

SCIENCE 8
Module 9
Name: __________________________ Date: ________________ B. Write a check (√) mark on the space provided before each
Yr. /Sec: ________________________ statement if it suggests a good practice for electrical safety in the
house and cross (X) mark if not.

___ 1. Unplug electrical appliances when not in use.


ASSESSMENT ___ 2. Stand on wet ground or wet floor when using an electrical
A. Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer and write your tool.
answers before the number. ___ 3. Don’t ignore flickering lights, blown fuse or sparks, and light
switches and outlets that feel warm to touch. Have a
____1. What is the purpose of the fuse in an electric circuit? qualified electrician check the wiring.
a. Prevents power supply ripple from damaging the circuit ___ 4. Keep young children from exposed outlets. Do put safety
b. Interrupts power in case of overload covers or special outlets.
c. Limits current to prevent shock ___ 5. Replace a blown fuse with a coin or just any wire.
d. All of the above
____2. Why should we use electrical safety devices in our homes?
a. to lessen our electrical consumption
b. for our appliances to run efficiently
c. to add to the design in our homes
d. to protect our properties and our lives
____3. Why are fuses and circuit breakers used in circuits?
a. They open to the circuit when a large amount of current flows
through it.
b. They increase the efficiency of appliances within the circuit.
c. They insulate the connection in the circuit
d. They can help lessen the electrical consumption.
____4. What is a good way to protect against electrical shock at home?
a. Use three-wire cords and plugs for all AC powered equipment.
b. Use a circuit protected by a ground fault interrupter.
c. Replace blown fuse with a new one.
d. All of the above
____5. A material used to stop electricity by covering wires which may be
made from plastics or rubber .
a. Fuse b. Insulator c. Circuit breaker d. outlet

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