8

Science 8
Quarter 1 – Module 9:
Functions of Electrical
Safety Devices
(Week 7/Day 3-5)
Science – Grade 8
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 1 – Module 9: Title
First Edition, 2020

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Development Team of the Module

Writer: Villa M. Fuentes
Editor: Samuel D. Rosal
Reviewers: Nerissa A. Alfafara
Illustrator: Villa M. Fuentes
Layout Artist: Geraldine C. Toledo
Cover Art Designer: Reggie D. Galindez
Management Team: Allan G. Farnazo, CESO IV – Regional Director
Fiel Y. Almendra, CESO V – Assistant Regional Director
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Mario M. Bermudez, CESO VI – Assist. Schools Division Superintendent
Gilbert B. Barrera – Chief, CLMD
Arturo D. Tingson Jr. – REPS, LRMS
Peter Van C. Ang-ug – REPS, ADM
Peter Van C. Ang-ug – REPS, Science
Juliet F. Lastimosa - CID Chief
Sally A. Palomo - Division EPS In- Charge of LRMS
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 8

Science 8
Quarter 1 – Module: 9
Functions of Electrical Safety
Devices
(Week 7/Day 3-5)
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Science 8 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Functions of Electrical

Safety Devices!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both
from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping
the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming
their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their
needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage
their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Science 8 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on Functions of Electrical

Safety Devices!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner
is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant competencies and
skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to
process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

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 Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your
level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned. This also tends retention of
learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the Functions of Electrical Safety Devices. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

• explain the function of circuit breakers, fuses, earthing, double
insulation, and other safety devices in the home (S8FE-li-33).

And, specifically you are to:

1. describe short circuit, overloading and its effect;
2. identify common electrical safety devices used in the home;
3. explain the functions of circuit breaker, fuse, earthing, double insulation and
other safety devices in the home.

I hope you will sustain your interest in this learning journey!

But before we start our lesson, I would like to know your prior knowledge
about safety in using electricity by answering the questions given below.

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. Which of the following can cause hazard, like fire, at the home?
A. the use of earthing method
B. short circuit & overloading
C. the use of circuit breaker or fuse at home
D. application of safety precautions in using electricity

2. Which of the following statements described short circuit?

A. it is a condition that results a large amount of current in a circuit when
it is open
B. it is an electrical condition that occurs when the current in the circuit
exceeds the wire’s current rating

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 C. it is an electrical condition that occurs when wires with defective
rubber insulation touch each other so the current does not pass to the
supposed path it should take
D. it is a condition that occurs when the circuit offers more resistance to
the flow of charges, resulting in small amount of current in a circuit

3. Why does short circuit causes fire?

A. because the little current produced cannot generate heat
B. because the large current produce cannot generate heat
C. because the large current produced can generate a lot of heat that could
start a fire
D. because the little current produced can generate heat that could start
a fire

4. When does overloading of the circuit occur?

A. when the current in the circuit is enough in wire’s current rating
B. when the current in the circuit exceeds the wire’s current rating
C. when the current in the circuit doesn’t exceeds the wire’s current rating
D. when the current in the circuit is less than the wire’s current rating.

5. Which refers to an automatically operated electrical switch that functions to

interrupt current flow after a fault is detected?
A. circuit breaker
B. double insulation
C. earth ground
D. fuse

6. Which of the following electrical devices ensures that if the live wire frays or
connects to the outer case of the appliance, it will not conduct, thus protecting
the user of the appliance from an electrical shock by preventing any possibility
of the external casing becoming live?
A. circuit breaker
B. double insulation
C. earth ground
D. fuse

7. Which of the following electrical devices is a metal wire or strip that melts
when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or interrupting
the current?
A. circuit breaker
B. double insulation
C. earth ground
D. fuse

8. Which of the following statement is NOT a primary purpose of earthing?

A. to interrupts or stops the current in a circuit
B. to avoid or minimize the danger of electrocution
C. to avoid fire due to earth leakage of current through undesired path.
D. to ensure that the potential of a current carrying conductor does not
rise with respect to the earth than its designed insulation.

9. Which of the following is NOT considered a reason why tamper resistant

receptacle was originally constructed to create a permanent solution for
children who tamper with outlets?
A. because it interrupts or stops the current in the circuit

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 B. because it can help protect children from electrical shock, injury, or
even death
C. because each tamper resistance receptacle outlet has an internal
shutter that blocks foreign objects from being inserted into the outlet.
D. because the shutter remains closed when foreign objects are inserted,
and only opens when a two–prong electrical plug is inserted

For items number 10 & 11, refer to the figures below for your answer:

1. 2.

3. 4.

10. Which devices protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess
current from an overload or short circuit and protect appliances from electric
power surges and overheating which is one of the main causes of electric fires?
A. figures 1 & 2
B. figures 1 & 4
C. figures 2 & 4
D. figures 1,2 & 3

11. What electrical device its primary purpose is to avoid or minimize the danger
of electrocution and fire due to earth leakage of current through undesired
path?
A. figure 1
B. figure 2
C. figure 3
D. figure 4

12. What will happen when the current in the circuit exceeds the wire’s current
rating that causes the wire to heat up?
A. electrical outlet damaged
B. no current will flow in the wire
C. overloading may occur
D. short circuit may occur

13. What will happen when wires in a circuit with defective rubber insulation
touch each other?
A. electrical outlet damaged
B. it will lead to octopus wiring
C. overloading may occur
D. short circuit may occur

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14. Which of the following statements is NOT considered as safety practice in
using electrical outlet?
A. overloading outlet with too many appliances
B. electrical outlets are used away from the water
C. electrical outlets are free from damages or cracks
D. electrical outlets have tamper resistant receptacle to protect the
children

15. Which of the following is NOT considered as safety practice of appliances at

home?
A. no overloading of appliances in the outlet
B. unplugging of appliances in the outlet when not in use
C. inappropriate size of wire is used in wiring connection.
D. appliances that get hot are kept away from things that could burn

I hope you did it well!

Please check your answers at the answer key page. If you will get a perfect score
of 15, that would be astonishing!
I can really sense you can perfect all the activities in this learning material.
Enjoy learning!

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 Lesson
Functions of Electrical
9 Safety Devices

Do your parents, or even your teachers remind you, or caution you about the
use of electrical devices at home? What do you think will happen if there is an unsafe
connection such as short circuit or misused of electricity such as overloading? These
are important things to be considered in the safety use of electricity.

In this module, you will describe the short circuit, overloading and its effect.
Thus, to prevent the said electrical conditions, you need to identify and explain the
functions of common electrical safety devices.

When does short circuit and overloading occur? What hazardous effect could
it bring? What are the electrical safety devices to be used at home and how these
electrical safety devices perform its functions to protect our homes? Let us find out
all about these in this module.

What’s In

In your previous learning journey, you learned about the relationships of the
three quantities of electricity and the electrical connections.

Try to remember the concept of electrical connections by answering the

following review questions in your notebook:
1. What are the two types of circuit connections?
2. Looking at the connections of wirings in your house, how is it connected? Is it
in series, in parallel or combination?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of electrical
connection?

Relating the concept of electrical connections in our daily activities, we can

also say that utilizing electricity in our home, school or in any establishments make
our life easier & convenient.

But let us ponder and think of these questions:

• How can electricity bring a hazardous effect to us?
• Do any members of your family have a bad experience with electricity?
• Have you seen disastrous incidents in your community due to problems
or poor conditions of electrical connections?

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 • What electric safety devices and practices should be used to protect
you and your family from the hazard?

Take Note!

Electrical safety devices such as circuit breakers, fuses,

earthing, double insulation, and other safety devices in the home
are utilized and used to avoid hazardous effect when poor electrical
conditions such as short circuit and overloading occur.

What’s New

Are you now ready to start our lesson? I hope you are excited to perform the
activities and persistent to know about the topic that we will discuss in this module.

Before we will proceed to the common electric safety devices used at homes,
let us know first the common conditions in electricity that usually brings hazard in
homes and buildings, and even causes the loss of lives of people in your community.

In doing activity 1, you will find out and describe the common hazardous
conditions in electricity that leads to fire incidents in some places of our country.

Activity 1: What’s in the News?

I. Objective
In this activity, you will describe short circuit, overloading, and its effect/s.

II. Materials needed

Paper, pen and copy of news report

III. Procedure:
1. Read the content of the news regarding fire incidents due to problems in
electrical connections (occurred in two cities of the Philippines): and
2. Answer the questions provided.

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 Investigators: 'Electrical short
circuit' sparked deadly Davao
mall fire’
ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jan 04 2018 05:21 PM
DAVAO CITY - An electrical short circuit
sparked the NCCC Mall fire in Davao City
that killed 38 people two days before
Christmas, fire investigators have found.
Fire Supt. Jerry Candido, spokesperson of
the Inter-Agency Anti-Arson Task Force
looking into the incident, cited evidence
indicating that the deadly blaze started with
an electrical short circuit.
"Sa mga nakuha naming physical evidence
na galvanized four lanes and electrical
wirings, lumabas doon positive, may traces
of electrical arcing sa galvanized four lanes.
Ibig sabihin nito, may nangyaring electrical
short circuit," Candido said.
Electrical arcing or sparking occurs when the
current jumps loose or corroded wiring,
potentially triggering an electrical fire.
Candido said the faulty electrical wiring was
found in the "ceiling between the furniture
and fabric sections," areas that both contain
highly combustible materials.
As of Thursday morning, officials continued
to scour the mall in search of Alexandra
Moreno, a call center agent who remains
missing nearly 2 weeks since the December
23 blaze.
"'Yung point of origin hindi pa napasok,
baka sakali naroon si Alexandra. Gumuho
kasi doon ang 3rd and 4th floor. Sana
buhay po siya," he said.
Rescuers said some body parts were found
in some areas, but investigators have yet to
verify to whom they belong.
Source:
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/04/18/investigators-
electrical-short-circuit-sparked-deadly-davao-mall-fire
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Fire razes P1.2M worth of
property in Tacloban
Manila Bulletin
Published September 14, 2018,
12:29 PM
By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN CITY – Residential and
commercial establishments were
razed by fire at corner Brgy 59, Picas
and Brgy 62-B, Kalipayan here Friday
dawn.
Initial information disclosed that at
about 2:55 a.m., a fire broke out in a
grocery store, which also affected an
LPG dealer, houses and other
commercial establishments.
According to the Senior Insp. Romeo
Jaca of the Tacloban City Fire Station
here, the fire started due to faulty
wiring and overloading of electrical
system.
Fire out at about 3:45 a.m of same
date with no injured person reported
and an estimated amount of damage
of P1.2 million.
PRO8 information officer Police Supt.
Bella Rentuaya said authorities are
now conducting follow up
investigation relative to the incident.
Source:
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/14/fire-razes-
p1-2m-worth-of-property-in-tacloban
Questions
1. What were the causes of fire occurred in the specific place of two cities
mentioned in the news?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. How does a short circuit occur?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. In your own idea, how does electrical overload occur?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

To understand the details about the effects and how the short circuit and
overloading occurs, let's emphasize the contents by doing the next activity.

Activity 2A: Stay Safe! Protect your Home!

I. Objectives:
In this activity, you will:
1. describe the heating effect of current; and
2. explain what a short circuit is and some safety practices to be
considered in the use of electricity.

II. Materials
Activity sheet and pen

III. Procedure
1. Consider the situations below by reading the content and observing the
events occurred through the procedure and figures.
2. Then answer the given questions below.
3. After the given time (20 minutes), present your answer for checking and
processing of content.

Situation 1
A group of students conducted a simple activity to describe the heating effect
of current in the wire, what short circuit is and some safety practices to be considered
in the use of electricity.

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 In the first set up, they used the following materials:

• 2 dry cells (with a battery holder)

• 2 connecting wires
• strand of copper wire
• 2 blocks of wood
• 4 thumbtacks
• 1 small stick glue
• timer

The series of events occurred are shown in the figures below.

The students:

1. placed two wooden blocks side by

side and they place two
thumbtacks on each wooden
block near the space between
them;

2. wrapped the copper wire tightly

around the thumbtacks, leaving
two free ends on the same
wooden block;

3. placed a stick glue on top of the

wires;

4. connected the two free ends of

the copper wire to the battery
using the connecting wires and
then left the circuit closed for 30
seconds and then they
disconnected the wire in the
battery.

5. wrote their observation after 30

seconds and they observed that
the stick glue started to melt.

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 In the second set up, they used the following materials:
• 2 connecting wires
• 2 dry cells in the battery holder
• 1 bulb in the bulb holder

The series of events occurred are shown in the figures below.

The students:

1. removed about 2 cm insulation from

the ends of the connecting wires and
constructed a circuit using the bulb, 2
batteries, and connecting wires with
exposed parts; and

2. made the exposed parts of the wire

touch momentarily and they didn’t
keep them in contact for so long and
they observed that the bulb didn’t lit.

Questions
Q1. Based on set up 1, what happened to the stick glue after exposing it in the
wire connected to the battery?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Q2. What do you think is produced in the wires that affected the stick glue?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Q3. Based on set up 2, explain what happened to the bulb when the exposed
wires momentarily touched?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Note: When the exposed wires were momentarily touched the path of current was
shortened (hence the term short circuit) compared to the original path which
includes the bulb. Since the path has been shortened, current will no longer take the
path through the bulb, thereby decreasing the total resistance in the path of current.
This will result in a large current in the shortened circuit. Short circuits are
dangerous especially with the high line voltage in our houses (220V compared to
1.5V of dry cells) because the large current produced can generate a lot of heat that
could start a fire.

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 Q4. What was the effect on the resistance (bulb) of the circuit when a short
circuit occurred?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Q5. What was the effect on the current when a short circuit occurred?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Q6. Explain why short circuits cause fire?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Situation 2
Look at the figure below and consider the information given and answer the
questions

The current that a wire of given diameter can safely carry is indicated by its
current rating. When the current in the circuit exceeds the wire’s current rating, an
overload of the circuit occurs. Overloading can also generate a lot of heat in the
wire that can cause a fire outbreak.

In designing electrical installations, engineers estimate the current

requirements of appliances and electrical devices the owner intends to use and make
these as the basis for selecting the appropriate size of wire in wiring the house.

When there are too many appliances plugged into one outlet (also called
octopus wiring) the loads are effectively connected in parallel and overloading may
also occur.

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 Q7. What happens to the total resistance of the circuit when more and more
appliances are plugged /connected to one outlet?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Q8. What happens to the total current?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Q9. Explain why overloading a circuit can start a fire?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Q10. What safety practices you should consider in:

a. installation of wiring at home?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

b. plugging of appliances in the outlet at home?

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

How are you doing so far? Hoping that you still sustain your energy to
continue this journey of learning!
Now that you already described the common conditions of electrical
connections which are the short circuit and overloading that could bring harm in
our homes that causes fire and other hazardous effect, let us be aware and
emphasize now the common electric safety devices needed to be used to make
our home safe from hazard by doing the next activity.

ACTIVITY 2B: Be aware and acquaint of it!

I. Objectives
After performing this activity, you should be able to:
1. identify common electrical safety devices used in the home; and
2. explain the functions of circuit breaker, fuse, earthing, double insulation
and other safety devices used in the home.

II. Procedure
1. Complete the table below by identifying what electrical safety devices
depicted in the pictures and explaining their functions based on its
usefulness at home.
2. Answer the given questions after completing the table.

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 3. Use the summary information on electric safety devices given below as your
reference.
4. After the given time (30 minutes), present your answer for checking and
processing of content.

Explain why the

Name of
Sample picture of device should be
Electrical Function/s
Electrical Devices used/installed at
Devices
home?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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 Common Electrical Safety Devices & Practices
Circuit breaker
A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch
designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current
from an overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow
after a fault is detected. It can be reset (either manually or automatically) to
resume normal operation. Breakers are installed in an electrical panel
(breaker box) and each circuit is attached to a singular
breaker.
Circuit breakers are a major safety measure in common households
and in the electrical grid. If no one is around when a circuit gets overloaded,
there can sometimes be no other way to prevent a short circuit that could
potentially cause a fire.

Fuse
A fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent
protection of an electrical circuit. Its essential component is a metal wire or
strip that melts when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or
interrupting the current. It is a sacrificial device; once a fuse has operated it is
an open circuit, it must be replaced or rewired, depending on type.
Fuses are there to protect appliances from electric power surges and
overheating which is one of the main causes of electric fires.
Earth ground/Earthing
Earth ground is a ground physically (and electrically) connected to
earth via a conductive material such as copper, aluminum, or an aluminum
alloy.
The process of transferring the immediate discharge of the electrical
energy directly to the earth by the help of the low resistance wire is known as
the electrical earthing. The electrical earthing is done by connecting the non-
current carrying part of the equipment or neutral of supply system to the
ground.
The primary purpose of earthing is to avoid or minimize the danger of
electrocution, fire due to earth leakage of current through undesired path and
to ensure that the potential of a current carrying conductor does not rise with
respect to the earth than its designed insulation.

Double Insulation
Another method to keep us from having an electric shock is to use
double insulation. This is when the cables themselves have twin plastic layers
or the appliance itself has an extra layer of plastic on the outside of the case.
This ensures that if the live wire frays or connects to the outer case of the
appliance it will not conduct.
Double insulation protects the user of the appliance from an electrical
shock by preventing any possibility of the external casing becoming live (the
live wire cannot touch the casing even if wires inside become loose), thus
eliminating the need for an earth connection.

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 Tamper resistant receptacles
Tamper resistant receptacles, commonly known as TRR, can help protect
from electrical shock, injury, or even death. They were originally constructed to
create a permanent solution for children who tamper with outlets.
Each TRR outlet has an internal shutter that blocks foreign objects from
being inserted into the outlet. The shutter remains closed when foreign objects
are inserted, and only opens when a two–prong electrical plug is inserted.
Electrical insulator
An electrical insulator is a material whose internal electric charges do
not flow freely; very little electric current will flow through it under the
influence of an electric field.
There are many types of insulators, most of them are made of ceramic
materials or with polymers. The insulators used to
support and separate electrical conductors and they are rated depending on
the nominal voltage they are going to isolate. Insulators are important to keep
us safe from human shock and electrocution.

What is It

At this point, discussion of the content of the lesson will be processed based
on the given questions below:
• How do short circuits and overloading cause hazards like fire?
• What electrical safety devices are commonly used in the homes and how
each device does its function to make our homes safer?
• What safety practices should be considered in utilizing connecting wires,
cord and plugging of appliances / electrical gadgets at home?

You will find out the details of the lesson as you read and go along with the
content provided below.

Short circuits happen when wires with defective rubber insulation touch
each other so the current does not pass to the supposed path it should take. It is a
circuit where the current encounters very little resistance and therefore the
amount of current will increase rapidly. Such increase in the amount of current
leads to the overloading of the circuit and can lead to fires.

Overloading of the circuit occurs when the current passing is more than what
the wires can carry , causing the wire to heat up. Fires can happen when wires start
heating up causing combustible parts of the house to be set on fire. The wires heat
up when there is too much current because the electrons that flow in a closed circuit

23
collide with the atoms of the conducting wire and as the collisions take place the
kinetic energy of the metal atoms increases. The increased kinetic energy of the
atoms is dissipated as heat. In the end the wire will become hot. An example of how
the circuit gets overloaded is by plugging a lot of appliances in a common outlet like
an extension cord and the presence of short circuits.

To avoid short circuit, overloading and misused of electrical connections,

proper usage and utilization of electrical safety devices and application of some
safety practices should be considered for the safety of the homes. The electrical
devices could prevent fires and other hazardous effects in the homes.

The following are the common electrical safety devices and practices with their
functions that are commonly used and applied in the homes:
• Circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch design to
protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current from an
overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow after a
fault is detected.

• Fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent

protection of an electrical circuit. Its essential component is a metal wire or
strip that melts when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or
interrupting the current. Fuses are there to protect appliances from electric
power surges and overheating.

• Earthing or electrical earthing is the process of transferring the Immediate

discharge of the electrical energy directly to the earth by the help of the low
resistance wire. It is done by connecting the non-current carrying part of the
equipment or neutral of the supply system to the ground. The primary purpose
of earthing is to avoid or minimize the danger of electrocution, fire due to earth
leakage of current through undesired path and to ensure that the potential of
a current carrying conductor does not rise with respect to the earth than its
designed insulation.

• Double insulation is done when the cables themselves have twin plastic
layers or the appliance itself has an extra layer of plastic on the outside of the
case. This ensures that if the live wire frays or connects to the outer case of
the appliance it will not conduct. Double insulation protects the user of the
appliance from an electrical shock by preventing any possibility of the external
casing becoming live (the live wire cannot touch the casing even if wires inside
become loose), thus eliminating the need for an earth connection.

• Tamper resistant receptacle commonly known as TRR, can help protect from
electrical shock, injury, or even death. They were originally constructed to
create a permanent solution for children who tamper with outlets. Each TRR
outlet has an internal shutter that blocks foreign objects from being inserted
into the outlet. The shutter remains closed when foreign objects are inserted,
and only opens when a two–prong electrical plug is inserted.

• Electrical insulators are a material whose internal electric charges do not

flow freely; very little electric current will flow through it under the influence
of an electric field. The insulators used to support and separate electrical
conductors and they are rated depending on the nominal voltage they are

24
 going to isolate. Insulators are important to keep us safe from human shock
and electrocution hazards.

Other safety practices to be considered in the homes are the proper utilization
of connecting wires, cords and plugging of appliances at home.

• In designing electrical installations at home, engineers estimate the current

requirements of appliances and electrical devices the owner intends to use
and make these as the basis for selecting the appropriate size of wire in wiring
the house.

• Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances or avoid octopus wiring
and unplug appliances when not in use. Electrical appliances that get hot
are kept away from things that could burn. Outlets should be used away from
water.

• Electrical cords should run safely (not damaged or no exposed wire) and do
not use if the cords are cracked or damaged.

Let us now find out your learnings on the concept of the Functions of Electrical
Safety Devices and Practices by answering the next activity.

What’s More

After discussing the content, try to do what are asked.

I. What electrical conditions are described in each situation shown below? What
will be their hazardous effect?
Situation 1 1. Electrical condition:
______________________________________
______________________________________
2. Hazardous Effect:
______________________________________
______________________________________

Situation 2 3. Electrical condition:

______________________________________
______________________________________
4. Hazardous Effect:
______________________________________
______________________________________

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II. Identify what electrical safety devices shown in the picture below. Then
explain briefly how these devices protect the circuit in the home or the
user. Write your answer in the space provided to complete the sentence.

5. Electrical safety device:

______________________________________
______________________________________
6. It can provide electric circuit from:
______________________________________
______________________________________

7. Electrical safety device:

______________________________________
______________________________________
8. It can provide electric circuit from:
______________________________________
______________________________________

III. Read each statement and tell if it is safe or unsafe?

____________1. There is an octopus wiring in the outlet.

____________2. Plugging of appliances even when not in use.
____________3. Electrical outlets are kept away from water.

Remember these:
• Overloading of the circuit occurs when the current in the circuit exceeds the
wire’s current rating, thus the wires heat up when the current passing is more
than what the wires can carry that leads to fire.
• Circuits get overloaded by plugging a lot of appliances in a common outlet
like an extension cord and the presence of a short circuit.
• Short circuits happen when wires with defective rubber insulation touch each
other so the current does not pass to the supposed path it should take.
• Safety electrical devices and practices that are commonly used and applied
in the homes are circuit breaker, fuse, earthing, double insulation, tamper
resistant receptacle and electrical insulators.
• Safety electrical devices and practices are important in dealing with
electricity; thus, their different functions could prevent fires and other
hazardous effects in the homes.
• Proper usage and utilization of safety electrical devices and application of
some safety practices should be considered so that short circuit, overloading
and other misused of electrical connections will be avoided for the safety of
the homes.

26
 What I Have Learned

Based on what you’ve learned from the very start of our module, let’s sum-up
our lesson by filling in the blanks with the appropriate answer (word or phrase) in
each of the sentences about electrical safety devices and practices.

1. ____________________ occurs when wires with defective rubber insulation

touch each other so the current does not pass to the supposed path it should
take.

2. ____________________ occurs when the current passing is more than what the
wires can carry, causing the wire to heat up.

3. ___________________ is an automatically operated electrical switch that

functions to interrupt current flow after a fault is detected.

4. The essential component of ____________ is a metal wire or strip that melts

when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or interrupting the
current. It protects appliances from electric power surges and overheating.

5. ____________________ ensures that if the live wire frays or connects to the outer
case of the appliance it will not conduct, thus protecting the user of the
appliance from an electrical shock by preventing any possibility of the external
casing becoming live.

6. The primary purpose of ________________is to avoid or minimize the danger of

electrocution, fire due to earth leakage of current through undesired path and
to ensure that the potential of a current carrying conductor does not rise with
respect to the earth than its designed insulation.

7. In using electrical outlet, avoid ________________ it with too many appliances

and unplug appliances when not in use.

How are you doing so far? Challenge yourself by accomplishing the next
activity.

27
 What I Can Do

After the series of activities and discussion of contents, you can now apply
your learned concept to real life situations by doing the activity below.

ACTIVITY No. 3: Electrical Safety Check at Home!

I. Objectives
After performing this activity, you should be able to:
1. identify common electrical safety devices & safety practices used/applied in
your homes;
2. explain how the common electrical safety devices and safety practices that
are commonly used/applied protect the homes and owners’ lives; and
3. describe if short circuit and overloading possibly occurred in your homes
based on the result of your inventory check.

II. Procedure
1. Using the checklist provided below, ask your parents to help you make an
inventory and inspect your home.

2. Check the appropriate column based on your checkup inventory.

If you see your devices are free from hazard or the said safety practice
is applied at home check “In good condition”. If you find hazard or unsafe
condition item, check in poor condition” and if you found out that the device
or that safety practice is not utilized/applied at home, check “None”.

3. Then ask your parents to correct the hazards or do something for its
availability.

Table 1: Inventory Check of Electrical Safety Devices & Practices at Home

Electrical Safety Devices & Rule In good In poor None
condition condition
1. Circuit breaker or / and fuse is
safely installed at the wall.
2. Earthing is utilized.
3. Double insulation is utilized.
4.Tamper resistant receptacle or
safety caps are placed in outlets to
protect the toddlers.

28
 5. Electrical cords, outlets and
appliances are placed away from
water.
6. Outlets are plugged properly (no
octopus wiring )
7. Electrical cords are free from
hazard (no damaged or no exposed
wire are found in the cords)
8. Electrical appliances that
produce heat or get hot are placed
safely ( not affecting other things).
9. Appliances and other electrical
gadgets are unplugged from their
outlet when not in use.
10. Extension wires used are
appropriate in diameter that can
safely carry currents rating.

Questions
1. Based from the result of your inventory check, how will you rate the safety of
your home, is it free from electrical hazard or not? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Based from the result of your inventory check, do you think short circuit
or/and overloading could possibly occur in your home? Why or why not?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. Explain how the electrical safety devices and practices protect you and your
home from fire and harm?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4. Based on your inventory check table, how many items found “in poor
condition” and/or “none”?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. What will be your suggestion to your parents to correct the hazards to help
make your home safer?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Good work! Congratulations on sustaining your interest in finishing this

learning module!

29
 Assessment

Let’s evaluate what you have learned from the very start of our lesson. You
read carefully the questions and answer them by writing the correct letter on your
paper.

1. Which of the following can cause hazard, like fire, at the home?
A. the use of earthing method
B. short circuit & overloading
C. the use of circuit breaker or fuse at home
D. application of safety precautions in using electricity

2. Which of the following statements described short circuit?

A. it is a condition that results a large amount of current in a circuit when
it is open
B. it is an electrical condition that occurs when the current in the circuit
exceeds the wire’s current rating
C. it is an electrical condition that occurs when wires with defective
rubber insulation touch each other so the current does not pass to the
supposed path it should take
D. it is a condition that occurs when the circuit offers more resistance to
the flow of charges, resulting in small amount of current in a circuit

3. Why does short circuit causes fire?

A. because the little current produced cannot generate heat
B. because the large current produce cannot generate heat
C. because the large current produced can generate a lot of heat that could
start a fire
D. because the little current produced can generate heat that could start
a fire

4. When does overloading of the circuit occur?

A. when the current in the circuit is enough in wire’s current rating
B. when the current in the circuit exceeds the wire’s current rating
C. when the current in the circuit doesn’t exceeds the wire’s current rating
D. when the current in the circuit is less than the wire’s current rating.

5. Which refers to an automatically operated electrical switch that functions to

interrupt current flow after a fault is detected?
A. circuit breaker
B. double insulation
C. earth ground
D. fuse

30
6. Which of the following electrical devices ensures that if the live wire frays or
connects to the outer case of the appliance, it will not conduct, thus protecting
the user of the appliance from an electrical shock by preventing any possibility
of the external casing becoming live?
A. circuit breaker
B. double insulation
C. earth ground
D. fuse

7. Which of the following electrical devices is a metal wire or strip that melts
when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or interrupting
the current?
A. circuit breaker
B. double insulation
C. earth ground
D. fuse

8. Which of the following statement is NOT a primary purpose of earthing?

A. to interrupts or stops the current in a circuit
B. to avoid or minimize the danger of electrocution
C. to avoid fire due to earth leakage of current through undesired path.
D. to ensure that the potential of a current carrying conductor does not
rise with respect to the earth than its designed insulation.

9. Which of the following is NOT considered a reason why tamper resistant

receptacle was originally constructed to create a permanent solution for
children who tamper with outlets?
A. because it interrupts or stops the current in the circuit
B. because it can help protect children from electrical shock, injury, or
even death
C. because each tamper resistance receptacle outlet has an internal
shutter that blocks foreign objects from being inserted into the outlet.
D. because the shutter remains closed when foreign objects are inserted,
and only opens when a two–prong electrical plug is inserted

For items number 10 & 11, refer to the figures below for your answer:

1. 2.

3. 4.

31
10. Which devices protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess
current from an overload or short circuit and protect appliances from electric
power surges and overheating which is one of the main causes of electric fires?
A. figures 1 & 2
B. figures 1 & 4
C. figures 2 & 4
D. figures 1,2 & 3

11. What electrical device its primary purpose is to avoid or minimize the danger
of electrocution and fire due to earth leakage of current through undesired
path?
A. figure 1
B. figure 2
C. figure 3
D. figure 4

12. What will happen when the current in the circuit exceeds the wire’s current
rating that causes the wire to heat up?
A. electrical outlet damaged
B. no current will flow in the wire
C. overloading may occur
D. short circuit may occur

13. What will happen when wires in a circuit with defective rubber insulation
touch each other?
A. electrical outlet damaged
B. it will lead to octopus wiring
C. overloading may occur
D. short circuit may occur

14. Which of the following statements is NOT considered as safety practice in

using electrical outlet?
A. overloading outlet with too many appliances
B. electrical outlets are used away from the water
C. electrical outlets are free from damages or cracks
D. electrical outlets have tamper resistant receptacle to protect the
children

15. Which of the following is NOT considered as safety practice of appliances at

home?
A. no overloading of appliances in the outlet
B. unplugging of appliances in the outlet when not in use
C. inappropriate size of wire is used in wiring connection.
D. appliances that get hot are kept away from things that could burn

Please check your answer at the answer key page. This time, hoping you got
a perfect score, but if you still have some mistakes, you may scan and read the
module again. You may set also a conference with your teacher for the improvement
of your learning!

32
 Additional Activities

You finally did it! I know you’ve learned many things about electrical safety
devices. For your additional activities, try to complete the sentence about your
learning by filling in with answers the spaces provided.

1. I learned that short circuit and overloading can …

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. I learned that the common electrical safety devices used in the homes are …
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. I learned that the electrical safety devices help …

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations! You did an amazing learning journey!

33
 34
What’s New
Activity 2a
1.The stick glue started to melt/ has melted
2.It produced heat
3.The bulb didn’t light or goes off
4.The resistance decreases/lower in the circuit
5.The current increases
6.Short circuit causes fire because it produces large current in the
shortened circuit that can generate heat that could start a fire.
7.The resistance decreases
8.The current increases
9.Overloading the current can make the wires hot that causes a fire.
10. a. Use appropriate size of wire in wiring the house
b. Avoid octopus wiring or avoid plugging too many appliances in
one outlet or unplug the appliances when not in use.
What’s New What I Know
Activity 1 1.B
2.C
1.Short circuit, faulty wiring, and 3.C
overloading 4.B
5.A
2.Short circuit occurred due to
6.B
electrical arcing or sparking (that
7.D
occurs when the current jump loose 8.A
or corroded wiring) 9.A
3. Electrical overload occurs when 10.B
11.B
the current exceeds the wires
12.C
current rating or when too many
13.D
appliances are plugged in one outlet. 14.A
15.C
Answer Key
 35
What’s New
Activity 2b
Device Function/s Explain why the device
should be
used/installed at
home?
1.Circuit • To interrupt current flow after To protect an
breaker a fault is detected. electrical circuit in the
home from damage
caused by excess
current from an
overload or short circuit
2.Fuse • To provide overcurrent To protect appliances
protection of an electrical circuit by from electric
stopping or interrupting the current power surges and
(when the current overflows ) overheating.
3.Earth • For transferring of the To avoid or minimize
ground/ immediate discharge of the the danger of
earthing electrical energy directly to electrocution or to
the earth by the help of the protect the owner of the
low resistance wire. home from electrocution
• To avoid leakage of current or fire.
through undesired path.
• To ensure that the potential
of a current carrying
conductor does not rise with
respect to the earth than its
designed insulation.
4.Double • This ensures that if the live To protect the user of
Insulation wire frays or connects to the the appliance from an
outer case of the appliance it electrical shock by
will not conduct. preventing any
• It prevents any possibility of possibility of the
the external casing becoming external casing
live, thus eliminating the becoming live
need for an earth connection.
5.Tamper • To blocks foreign objects from It helps protect children
resistant being inserted into the outlet. who tamper with outlets
receptacle from electrical shock,
injury, or even death .
6.Electrical • To support and separate To keep us safe from
insulator electrical conductors and they human shock and
are rated depending on the electrocution hazards.
nominal voltage they are
going to isolate.
 2.Unsafe
15.C
3. Safety 14.A
2.Unsafe 13.D
III. 1.Unsafe 12.C
2b.electrical shock 11.B
7. Overloading
2a.double insulation 10.B
6. Earthing
overload or short circuit 9.A
insulation
1b. damaged caused by 8.A
5. Double
II. 1a. circuit breaker 7.D
4. Fuse
heat/causes fire 6.B
breaker
2b. produces 5.A
3. Circuit
2a. overloading 4.B
2. Overload
fire 3.C
1. Short Circuit
1b. produces/causes 2.C
Learned I. 1a. short circuit 1.B
What I Have What's More Assessment

Answers may vary. It depends upon the answer of the learners

What I Can Do

References

Book Sources:
• Grade 8 Science Learner’s Material Department of Education Republic of the
Phil.
• Grade 8 Science Teacher’s Guide. Department of Education. Republic of the
Phil.

Online Sources:
• https://east-westelectric.com/5-electrical-safety-devices-for-home/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuse_(electrical)
• https://www.psicontrolsolutions.com/blog/function-of-circuit-breaker
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_breaker
• https://circuitglobe.com/electrical-earthing.html
• https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/an-introduction-to-
ground/
• https://slideplayer.com/slide/14462389/
• https://www.homelectrical.com/benefits-tamper-resistant-electrical-
outlets.6.html
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-electrical-insulators-mario-
villarreal-vera
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulator_(electricity)https://www.southcentr
alpower.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ElectricSafetyG34.pdf

36
 DISCLAIMER
This Self-learning Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd
SOCCSKSARGEN with the primary objective of preparing for and
addressing the new normal. Contents of this module were based on
DepEd’s Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC). This is a
supplementary material to be used by all learners of Region XII in all
public schools beginning SY 2020-2021. The process of LR
development was observed in the production of this module. This is
version 1.0. We highly encourage feedback, comments, and
recommendations.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN

Learning Resource Management System (LRMS)

Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax No.: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893

Email Address: region12@deped.gov.ph

37