Every time you complete a job, you want to walk away knowing you’ve done it right and that it will last. But there are issues electricians face daily that can threaten “a job well done.”
Troubleshooting common electrical problems starts with understanding where those challenges lie – what’s at the heart of them – and then equipping your toolbox accordingly. The good news is that there’s often a simple, effective fix.
Here are the toolbox essentials I recommend to help overcome five of the most common issues electricians face, while helping you save time and keep safety, quality, and reliability a primary focus.
Electrical troubleshooting – Five simple how-tos.
Cold temperatures.Winter weather conditions can cause your electrical tape to crack or break. You need to trust that your electrical tape will be durable and resilient in the face of cold weather. I recommend Scotch® Professional Grade Vinyl Electrical Tape Super 88. This all-weather, vinyl insulating tape can be applied easily in temperatures as low as -18°C. It also exhibits excellent mechanical and abrasion resistance – helping to protect your work from UV rays, scratches, moisture, copper corrosion, alkalis and acids.
Over-stripped wires. Over-stripped wires are a shock hazard. You need wire connectors that are designed to help protect you and your clients. I suggest 3M™ Performance Plus Wire Connector to help insulate the connection. This toolbox essential has a flexible skirt that helps keep over-stripped wires covered.
Void-free insulating. If your work isn’t insulated properly, in medium voltage (MV) applications (through 69kV), you run a risk of having partial discharging. This occurs when air voids form within layers. In my expert opinion, Scotch® 130C Linerless Rubber Splicing Tape should be a go-to tool for void-free build-up and moisture protection. It’s also designed to provide excellent thermal dissipation of splice heat. And, unlike other rubber tapes, it doesn’t have a liner, which helps make it easier and quicker to use.
Longevity.Some electrical tapes can break or fall off, leaving exposed wires. To help keep your work securely covered I recommend Scotch® Super 33+™ Vinyl Electrical Tape. The combination of the elastic backing and the 3M adhesive technology helps provide resistance to stressors, such as abrasion, moisture, alkalis, acids, corrosion and varying weather conditions – helping to ensure your hard work is long-lasting.
Stains from wire lubricant.Wire lubricants can stain your working station – which means you have a mess to clean up. You can help minimize clean time by choosing a stain-free wire lubricant. I suggest 3M™ Spray Wire Pulling Lubricant. It’s an easy-to-apply, non-staining, high-performance liquid cable-pulling lubricant. The spray bottle format is also good for hard-to-reach areas and it helps keeps your hands lubricant-free.
Electrical toolbox essentials – according to an expert. Read more.
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Surges are a spike in charge in power lines which causes a current increase in your outlets. Frequent surges can cause damage to your electronics and cut their lifespan drastically. Dips are sporadic drops in voltage that cause your lights to dim and flicker. They're also known as brownouts.
Surges are a spike in charge in power lines which causes a current increase in your outlets. Frequent surges can cause damage to your electronics and cut their lifespan drastically. Dips are sporadic drops in voltage that cause your lights to dim and flicker. They're also known as brownouts.
Ergonomic hazards include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by repetitive motions, contact stress from poorly designed tools, and poor lifting and handling practices. Slip and fall hazards are frequently present due to the high places and rough ground that electricians must navigate.
The first step in troubleshooting is to find the source of the problem. The hopscotch method is a great way to find the component that is malfunctioning. With the hopscotch method, you follow the flow of electricity in a circuit. At each component, you will take a voltage measurement with your multimeter.
Keep electrical devices and outlets away from water to prevent shock. Water and electricity don't mix well. To follow electrical safety rules, keep electrical equipment dry and away from water prevents damage to appliances and can protect against personal injury and electrocution.
Challenges and Difficulties of Being an Electrician
Working with electricity always carries an inherent risk, even for those well trained in safety protocols. The physical demands can be considerable; electricians often work in cramped or hard-to-reach spaces, and may occasionally have to lift heavy equipment.
The first stage of electrical troubleshooting is to observe the circuit that you are dealing with. Careful observation is carried out to find faults in the circuit. Usually, in this process, there are certain things to be done to ensure standard/thorough examination is carried out.
To test the quality of electrical connections, you need a multimeter, a device that measures voltage, current, and resistance. A multimeter can help you identify if there is a short circuit, an open circuit, or a high resistance in the connection.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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