Safety Precautions

The amount of current needed to disrupt the regular pumping

of your heart is in the order of a few milli-amperes. If you
are working in a wet location or are in contact with a
grounded metal water pipe, the normal 120 V voltage can
easily kill you. Always follow the following precautions:
1. If at all possible, avoid working on live circuits.
2. When working on a circuit carrying 120 V or higher, use
only one hand to make voltage measurements. Keep the
other hand in your pocket or behind your back.
3. Before working with electricity, always remove rings, wrist
watch, and any other metal jewelry that could come in
contact with a conductor.

Safety Precautions
4. If the circuits include a high-voltage electrolytic capacitor,
remove the charge from the device by shorting it with a
screwdriver because a capacitor can hold a dangerous charge for
hours after the power has been turned off.
5. Be careful to avoid contact with components that become quite
hot during circuit operation, such as resistors, power transistors.
6. Do not work with power cords that are burned or frayed because
they present a serious shock hazard.
7. Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher designed for
use on electric fires, and how to use it properly.
8. When working on high voltage, try not to work alone. Make sure
the other person knows the circuit breaker location.
9. Concentrate on what you are doing and treat all voltages with
the proper respect.

Electrical Codes: Motors

Guarding
Exposed lived parts of motors
operating at 50V or more shall be
guarded properly.
Ventilation
Adequate ventilation shall be provided
to prevent ambient air temperatures
exceeding 40 degree C.
3

Electrical Codes: Motors

Wiring Methods
Conductors shall have sufficient ampacity
for motor loads.
Conductors supplying one motor for use on
continuous duty service shall have an ampacity
not less than 125% of the rated current.
Conductors supplying a group of motors shall
have an ampacity not less than 125% of the
rated current with the largest rating plus the
sum of the rated current of all the other motors.

Electrical Codes: Motors

Over-Current Protection
Over-current devices shall be installed
and set properly
Type of motor

Full load current, %

Maximum fuse
rating

AC
Single-phase all types
Squirrel-cage and synchronous
Full voltage, resistor & reactor
starting
Autotransformer and star delta

Maximum
setting timelimit type
circuit breaker

Timedelay
fuses

Nontimedelay
fuses

175

300

250

175

300

250

175

250

200

Electrical Codes: Motors

Over-Heating Protection
Over-Heating devices shall be installed
and set properly
Under-Voltage Protection
Proper measures shall be taken for
under-voltage whenever necessary.
Control Methods
Proper control methods shall be used
to prevent accidents. (Starters)
6

Electrical Codes: Motors

Disconnecting Means
A disconnecting means with proper
type and rating shall be provided and
located properly, which may be fuses,
circuit breakers, switches, etc.

Electrical Codes
Transformers
Generators
Final Suggestion
When designing any electrical system,
always check the proper sections in
Canadian Electrical Codes to see if your
design meets the standards specified by
the codes. If you follow the codes properly,
then you will be well protected in case of
failure of the designed system.
8