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FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

01. SAFETY

Safety sometimes considered as a way of life. It has been said before: a little knowledge is a
dangerous thing.

Electric and electronic circuits can be dangerous. Safe practices are necessary to prevent electric
shock, fires, explosions, mechanical damage, and injuries resulting from the improper use of tools.
Perhaps the greatest hazard is electrical shock. An electrical current through the human body in
excess of 10ma for 1 second or more can paralyzed the victim and make it impossible to let go of a
“live” conductor.

Medium or High voltage, on the other hand, can force enough current through the skin to produced
electric shock. If current approaches to 100ma or more, the shock can be fatal. Thus the danger of
shock increases with the voltage. Those who work with high voltage must be properly trained and
equipped.

When human skin is moist or cut, its resistance to the flow of current can drop drastically. When
this happens, even moderate voltages may cause a serious shock. Experienced technician/s know
this, and they also knew that so called low-voltage equipment may have a high voltage section or
two.

In other words, they do not practice two methods of working with circuits:
One for high voltage, and
One for low voltage
They follow safe working procedure at all times. They do not assume a circuit is off even the switch
is in the OFF position. They know the switch could be defective.

Attempting to measure electrical properties can be dangerous. You cannot see electricity or even
sense its potential until you are well into a danger zone. Electricity is energy. Like fire, it is both
useful and dangerous. Since you cannot see electric potentials and currents without the aid of test
equipment, you must know beforehand what it is you are trying to accomplish.

Safety is a big concern underlying on all the procedures dealing with electricity. You must respect
electricity. Carelessness and abuse will sooner or later cause you injury or worst.

Human bodies (living and non-living things are made up of atoms and molecules) are electrical in
nature. Biochemical (synapse) currents determine every human body movement (voluntary and
involuntary). If you allow an electrical path through your body, even a quite small amount of
current, many of your body’s nerve patterns can be disrupted, particularly those of the heart.
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Skin burns are bad enough, but to have your heart stop or beat abnormally is life-threatening. Be
careful. If you follow the guidelines below you will avoid most problems:
1. Know the potentials involved and where they are present, and know what and how to
measure the electrical properties in question.
2. Do not allow your skin to contact any current-carrying conductor.
3. Keep one hand in your pocket when measuring high potentials.
4. Do not attempt to measure high or unknown potentials unless you have received the
appropriate training and have the appropriate safety equipment.
As your knowledge and experience grow, you will learn many specific safe procedures on dealing
with electricity and electronics. In the meantime:
1. Always follow procedures.
2. Use service manuals as often as possible. They often contain specific safety
information.
3. Investigate before you act.
4. When in doubt, do not act. Ask your senior officer / or supervisor.

General Safety Rules

Safe practices will protect you and your co-workers. Study the following rules.
1. Do not work when you are tired or taking medicine that makes you drowsy.
2. Do not work in poor light.
3. Do not work in damp areas with wet shoes or clothing.
4. Use approved tools, equipment, protective devices.
5. Avoid wearing wist watch, rings, bracelets. And similar metal items when working around
exposed to electric circuits.
6. Never assume that the circuit is OFF. Double check it with a test / measuring equipment to make
sure that it is operational.
7. Some activity / situations require a body system to guarantee that the power will not be turned
ON, while the technician still working on a circuit.
8. Never tamper with or try to override safety devices such as interlock (a type of switch that
automatically removes power when the door is open or a panel removed).
9. Keep tools and test equipment clean and in good condition. Replace insulated probes / handles /
connecting leads at the first sign of deterioration.
10. Some devices, such as capacitors, can store a lethal charge.
11. Do not removed grounds and do not defeat the equipment ground.
12. Fire safety:
Use only an approved fire extinguisher for electrical and electronic equipment, case of
fire. Types of fire extinguisher:
Water type can conduct electricity and may damaged equipment.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) or halon type extinguishers are usually preferred, for
electrical use.
Foam type extinguisher may also be desired in some cases.

Commercial fire extinguishers are rated for the type of fires for which they are effective.
Use only those rated for proper working conditions.
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13. Follow directions when using solvents and or other chemicals. They may be classified as toxic,
flammable, or may damaged certain materials such as plastics, rubbers ( e.g. cable insulators). May
result a chemical reactions.
14. Some material/s used in electronic components / equipment are toxic.
It includes, example:
Tantalum capacitors and berryllium oxide transistor cases. These components should
not be crushed or abraded, and for safety it should be handled properly - wash hands
thoroughly after handling.
Other materials (such as heat shrink tubing / shrinkable tubes) may produce irritating
fumes when overheated.
15. Certain circuit components may affects the safe performance of the equipment and systems. Use
only exact or approved replacement parts.
16. Use specific protective clothing / device (PPE) when handling electrical and or electronic work.
17. Do not work on equipment before you know proper procedures and be aware of any potential
safety hazards.
18. Many accidents have been caused by people rushing and cutting corners. Take the time required
to protect yourself and others individuals. Running, horseplay, and practical jokes are strictly
forbidden in shops, laboratories, production and or working sites etc…

Circuits and equipment must be treated with respect. Learn how they work / machine executions,
and the proper way of working on them (proper handling of the machine on and after operation).
Always practice safety protocol: your health and life depends on it.