Facing My Fear of Electricity

[dognduckhorn]

Okay, I'll try not to make this a long post.

My entire life I have been terrified of electricity and any work in wiring, repairing lamps, connecting switches, etc. I saw my Dad nearly die from electrocution when he was working on a washer when I was a kid and he touched a copper pipe while holding an old style gooseneck lamp that, unbeknownst to him, had a short in it. The resulting sound, and the experience of being eight years old, alone with my Dad at the house, and he having difficulty breathing while sprawled on the floor set my fear.

So, at age 52, I want to confront my demons. Any recommendations on how to learn about electricity and wiring?

 

[Luke Duke]

Go buy a book and a tester. Always turn the breaker off, not just the light switch.

 

[jmatt]

This is a nice, very basic (high school level) start on understanding electricity. The Link

There are several other similar sites, just do a Google search for "basics of electricity"

Safety: The Link

Again, a simple Google search will bring up a bunch of sites, this one looks to be one of the better ones.

 

[Doughbroz]

Never forget that even the best can make mistakes. I've seen a pro attach hot wire to ground panel in a breaker box just because it was an odd layout box. Never asssume anything is off just because a test meter shows no voltage. If someone has installed a fuse or breaker on the neutral line instead of the hot, a meter wont show that it's still hot even if the breaker/fuse is off. Once you are sure you have the right breaker/fuse turned off, lock or tape the box shut to keep someone else from turning it on while you are working on it. Before grabbing anything electrical that is giving you a problem (appliances, breaker boxes, wiring), brush it with the back of your fingers. Better a slight shock than to have your hand frozen around it. Above all, keep your mind on what you are doing. Focusness is paramount in electrical work.

 

[YoLaDu]

Those are demons i would rather not confront. I am perfectly happy letting the professionals do electrical work.

 

[brntorng]

I suggest hiring an electrician if you're not completely sure what you're doing. Electricity can be deadly and even pros screw up occasionally. It's not so much learning the normal way things are done, it's recognizing an exception and knowing how to deal with it. While I know electricity, my comfort zone disappears when I have to get on my steep second story roof. No thanks, it's a long way down.

 

[EuroHorn]

Start like they did in the old days. Tie a key to a kite and just fly it in a thunderstorm

 

[96 Buff]

I, too, have a huge wariness with electricity. Thankfully I have family members who are much more experienced than I for the heavy electrical work. But, I am getting more confidence with some things. My advice is to start with replacing light fixtures, then move on to outlets & swtiches. Always turn off the breaker first, though, if anything, it'll give you a chance to finally label your breaker box to show which one goes to where.

 

[accuratehorn]

You certainly have a good reason to be fearful of electricity. Unfortuneately, it can take an example like you experienced to impress the seriousness of danger on people, and many of us, myself included, should have more fear than we do.
I installed a ceiling fan and wired it up with the switch off, but not the breaker. I am lucky a wire was not hot in there.
Now I have a cheap tester, and check the wires more than once, and turn the breaker off, before attempting any minor repairs.
And it would be better to use a professional, I know.

 

[dognduckhorn]

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[random horn]

You got to play it safe around electricity