Laboratory Electrical

Safety
PGS 506 Basic Concepts In Laboratory Techniques

ABDUL REHMAN
2020571801
M TECH FPE
 Contents
⦿ Basics of Electricity
⦿ Electric current & Human
body response
⦿ Electrical equipments &
accessories at Lab and
associated hazards
⦿ Emergency procedures

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1
UNDERSTANDING ELECTRICITY
AT ELEMENTARY LEVEL
 ELECTRICITY: BASICS
⦿ Relationship between power, current, voltage and
resistance
𝑉 =𝐼×𝑅
𝑃 =𝐼×𝑉
𝑃 = 𝐼2 × 𝑅
Where, P = power (watts)
I = current (amperes)
V = voltage (volts)
R = resistance (ohms)
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-Direct Current
-Alternating Current

AC vs. DC Electricity

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 Electrical
Components
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2
ELECTRIC CURRENT &
HUMAN BODY
 • Current flow of very low
intensity is perceptible
by a tongue by giving a
Electric tangy sensation.
current • Beyond that (at higher
perception intensity) it becomes
perceptible to the skin
and causes a tingling
sensation, then pain.

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Image Source: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/96/71/2f/96712ffc0a56c031e8f77faa6e8f524d.jpg
Effects of
Electrical
Current
on human
body

Source: Electric Shock and the Human Body https://i2.wp.com/sub.allaboutcircuits.com/images/quiz/01703x01.png

Electric
Shock
hazards
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Image Source: Electrical Shock Hazard Mike Holt Enterprises http://www.mikeholt.com/htmlnews/theory/electrical-shock.gif

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 Introduction
⦿ Electrical hazards for laboratory employees and students usually
include shock, burn, or fire hazards.
⦿ Occur when a part of the body becomes part of the electrical
circuit.
⦿ One way this can occur is by contacting a metallic part of a piece of
equipment that has become energized by contact with an
electrical conductor.

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 Factors affecting severity of
the electrical shock
Amount of the current (Amps)

Pathway through the body

Duration of the exposure

Skin condition (wet or dry)

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Electrical shock hazards
Electric shock
Primary
Flash burns

Fall from heights

Injury from
Secondary
mechanical hazards

Burns from
Electrical fire 16
 Identification
Outlets & Facility wiring Laboratory Equipment
⦿ Avoid overloading electrical ⦿ Inspect tools/ equipment before
outlets use
⦿ Label all circuit-breaker ⦿ Protective measures: 3-prong
switches plugs, Double insulation on
⦿ Leave at least 36" clearance in handheld tools, GFCI-type outlets
front of electrical panels D ⦿ For any tools/ appliances that
⦿ Ensure proper use of extension generate heat (soldering irons,
cords hot plates, etc.), unplug when not
in use

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General Electricity requirements at Labs &
associated safety concern
Hard-wired equipment (e.g. specialty microscopes,
generators)

Plug-and-cord equipment (e.g. refrigeration,

centrifuges, heating baths, electrophoresis devices)

Extension cords

Power cable outlets

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3
ELECTRICAL SAFETY:
LAB EQUIPMENTS
 Laboratory Equipments
Typical laboratory contains electrically-powered
equipment such as:
⦿ stirrers ⦿ heaters
⦿ shakers ⦿ power supplies
⦿ pumps ⦿ ovens
⦿ hot plates ⦿ electrophoresis equipment

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Lab Equipments: Input Power requirements

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 Lab Equipments*: Approval
⦿ All electrical equipment used by
laboratories must be listed by a
nationally recognized testing
laboratory (NRTL), with a label
showing its approval.
⦿ Must be used in accordance with
the instructions on the listing or
labeling.

*Electric-operated instrument 22
Lab Equipments*: Repair & Maintenance

⦿ Work on electrical systems may only be done by an

electrician that is properly licensed.
⦿ Under no circumstances may laboratory personnel
undertake changes to the building electrical service.

*Electric-operated instrument 23
 Precautionary measures
⦿ Laboratory personnel must always disconnect the
power source to any electrical equipment before
attempting service or repair.
⦿ Live parts of electrical equipment operating at 100
volts or more must be guarded against accidental
contact.

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 Precautionary measures (contd.)
⦿ A minimum 36-inch clearance must be maintained
around electrical controls, panels and disconnects at
all times.
⦿ When unplugging a device, be sure to pull from the
plug to prevent wiring damage.
⦿ Never override electrical safety equipment such as
guards or electrical interlocks.
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 Electrical
accessories
at Laboratory
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Extension Cords
Power Strips
Clamp Lighting
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

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 Extension Cords
⦿ In general, extension cords are not appropriate where
a permanent wiring solution is available, regardless
of convenience.
⦿ Should be used only for temporary purposes and
replaced with surge protectors if needed for longer
periods of time.

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 Extension Cords (contd.)
⦿ Use only that are listed and labeled
by a Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory.
⦿ Adequately rated* for the intended
use and environment.
⦿ Capacity Review (ensure that you are staying within
the cord’s power rating)

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*The rating (Operational Current, voltage, frequency etc) must be denoted not only on the original package but printed on the extension cord insulating jacket.
 Extension Cords:
Safety concerns
⦿ May not be run through doors, windows, walls, or
ceilings and may not be attached to building surfaces
(i.e. walls, ceilings) by staples or other means.
⦿ Must be protected from damage and may not be
placed in such a way that they create a tripping
hazard.

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Extension Cords: Safety concerns (contd.)
⦿ Do not run extension cords under carpets or any
other flooring for protection that was not designed
for this purpose.

⦿ Extension cords may not be

plugged end-to-end.

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 Extension Cords:
Safety concerns (contd.)
⦿ Must be inspected regularly for wear, as it is likely
occur around the plug.
⦿ Worn or frayed cords must be removed from service
and replaced.
⦿ Cracks in extension cords may not be repaired with
electrical tape.

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Extension Cords: Safety concerns (contd.)
⦿ If the device to be powered has a third prong or
grounding pin, then only use extension cords with a
grounding pin.
⦿ Never remove the grounding pin to
make a three prong cord fit in a two-
prong outlet or use an adapter to
make this connection.
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 Power Strips
⦿ Permit more products to be plugged into the same
outlet.
⦿ Convenient but may create safety hazards when used
incorrectly.
⦿ Do not increase the amount of power available to a
location, but rather more access to the same
electrical source.
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 Power Strips (contd).
⦿ A heavy reliance generally indicates that additional
wall outlets are needed.
⦿ Use only NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory) tested power strips, and be sure they are
used only as intended by their NRTL listing.
⦿ Select power strips that are properly rated for the
application.
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 Power Strips (contd).
⦿ Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions
and limitations on the power strip.
⦿ Do not overload the circuit.
⦿ Review the capacity of the circuit and the power
requirements of all of the items plugged into it.

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⦿ Refers to lamps that can be attached to
objects (such as desks, benchtops, or
equipment) using a clamp connected to Clamp
the lamp assembly. Lighting
⦿ Poses special hazards in the laboratory
due to the generation of heat and the potential for the equipment to
accidentally fall.

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 Clamp Lighting (contd).
⦿ Properly rated.
⦿ Cannot be used in a wet environment*.
⦿ Clamp lights may not be attached to any surface
within 6 feet of a water source (e.g. sinks, emergency
showers, water tanks).

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 Clamp Lighting (contd).
⦿ Prevent lights from contacting combustible materials
such as paper goods.

⦿ Do not wrap excess cord around the lamp reflector surface

gets very hot and may damage the cord jacket.
⦿ Inspect cords daily prior to use for cracks, wear, or exposed conductor
wires & discard lamps with damaged cords.

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 Image Source: https://www.electricaltechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/GFCI-Ground-Fault-Circuit-Interrupter.-Types-Working.png
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters*
⦿ Designed to protect the end
user from electrical shock.
⦿ Best management practices in
laboratory to have GFCI
protection in a wet
environment.

*GFCIs are not required on all circuits in laboratories. 40

 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
⦿ If a laboratory currently has outlets with GFCI
protection, they should be tested at least once per
month.
⦿ Laboratory personnel are responsible for testing the
GFCI.

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Ensuring correct installation of GFCI: Steps
• Plug a lamp into the outlet and turn it on.
I

• Next, press the “TEST” button on the GFCI. Under properly functioning conditions, the GFCI’s
II “RESET” button should pop out and the light will turn off.

• Press the “RESET” button to restore power to the outlet.

III
• If the “RESET” button pops out but the light does not go out, the GFCI has been improperly wired.
IV • Contact Maintenance to correct the wiring errors

• If the “RESET” button does not pop out, the GFCI is defective and should be replaced.
V

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 Safety
Considerations
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Finding damaged or defective Equipment
⦿ Experiencing shocks, even
mild shocks, when the
equipment is touched.
⦿ Abnormal heat generation.
⦿ Arcing, sparking, or
smoking from the
equipment.
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 Electricity and Flammable Materials
⦿ Keep flammable materials away from electrical
equipment equipment may serve as a source of ignition for flammable or explosive
vapors.

⦿ Receptacles providing power for equipment used

inside a fume hood should be located outside the
hood.

Image Source: https://info.muellerelectric.com/hs-

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fs/hubfs/grounding%20and%20bonding.gif?width=400&height=235&name=grounding%20and%20bonding.gif
 Electricity and Flammable Materials
(contd.)

Make sure that equipment

used where flammable
vapors may be present is
specially rated to not
produce sparks

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Image Source: ABCs of Fire Extinguishers https://fireprevention.utexas.edu/firesafety/abcs-fire-extinguishers
 Precautions
⦿ Be aware that if drying ovens are used to dry organic
materials, vapors may accumulate inside the oven
and/or escape into the lab atmosphere.
⦿ Take care to prevent developing
explosive mixtures in air by not drying
organic materials that can lead to fire.

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Safety
Devices
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49
 Fuses Circuit Breakers
⦿ Protect electrical wiring from ⦿ Protect electrical wiring
carrying too much current. from carrying too much
⦿ Protect malfunctioning current.
equipment from drawing too ⦿ Mechanical switch is driven
much current. by an electromagnet.
⦿ Conductor melts if too much ⦿ Can be reset many times.
current flows through fuse.
⦿ Can only be used once.
⦿ Always use the correct fuse.

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4
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
 Response to Electrical Shock

Call
National
Warn Move Give
Medical
Protect others victim to a necessary Notify
Emergency
yourself about the safe place First Aid (If supervisor
Helpline
hazards is possible trained)
Number
112

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54
 Key take-aways

Understand
the hazards Carefully Ensure
and examine the proper Don’t be
associated equipment & training afraid to ask
risk of task circuit before use of for help
being functions equipment
performed

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Thank You

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 References
⦿ Handbook of laboratory Safety, Furr, A. Keith Ph.D. "Frontmatter“
CRC Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC,2000
⦿ The Effect of Electric Current on the Human Body Conference on
Systems, Signal Processing and Electronics Engineering
(ICSSEE'2012) December 26-27, 2012 Dubai (UAE)
⦿ Electrical Safety in the Laboratory Joshua D. Horvath et al.,
Carnegie Mellon University
⦿ https://www.safety.fsu.edu/safety_manual/Electrical%20Safety
%20in%20the%20Laboratory.pdf

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