top 10 Electrical safety rules, precautions, and tips in india

What is Electrical Safety?

Electrical safety rules mean staying safe when using electricity. It is all about using electric machines and wires in the right way so that no one gets hurt.

Electricity is very useful. It helps us light our homes, run fans, charge phones, and do so many things. But if we do not handle it carefully, it can be dangerous.

That’s why we need electrical safety. It teaches us how to use electrical things properly, how to check if something is broken, and how to stay away from danger.

Even small things, like not touching switches with wet hands or turning off appliances when not in use, are part of being safe.

People who work with electricity should get proper training. They must know how to find problems, fix them safely, and keep others safe too.

In simple words, electrical safety is about being smart and careful with electricity—at home, in school, or at work—so everyone stays safe.

Introduction to National Electrical Code 2011

The National Electrical Code 2011 is a set of safety rules made to help us install electrical wiring in the right way. These rules are given by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) under IS 732-1963, IS-4648, and the NE Code.

These rules are made to keep people safe and to make sure that all electrical work is done properly.

Here are some of the main points from this code:

1. Only a licensed contractor should install or repair electrical wiring.
   This means that only trained and approved electricians should do the job. This keeps everyone safe from shocks and accidents.
   
   
2. All the items used in electrical wiring must have the ISI mark.
   The ISI mark shows that the product is safe and good to use. It means the product has been tested and passed for quality.
   
   
3. Electrical wiring should be divided into small parts called sub-circuits.
   There should be different sub-circuits for lights and fans, and a separate one for power (like plugs and heavy machines).
   This helps to manage electricity better and avoid overloads.
   
   
4. In every sub-circuit for lights and fans, do not connect more than 10 points. A point means one light, one fan, or one switch.
   
5. In every power sub-circuit, like for fridges, washing machines, or heaters, do not connect more than 2 points.
   
6. The total load (or usage) for lights and fans in one sub-circuit should not be more than 800 watts.
   
7. The total load for power outlets in one sub-circuit should not go beyond 3000 watts.

Electrical Safety Rules Everyone Should Follow

1. Control Switchboard Placement:
   The main switchboard, where we control the lights and fans, should be fixed at a height of 1.3 meters from the floor. It should be placed on the left side, near the room’s entrance, so it’s easy to reach.
   
2. Bathroom Switch Safety:
   The switch for bathroom lights or any other things should be placed outside the bathroom on the wall. But if we really need to keep the switch inside the bathroom, it must be completely waterproof so that water doesn’t get in and cause danger.
   
3. Waterproof Lights Outside:
   All lights that are placed outside the house must be waterproof. This keeps them safe from rain and moisture.
   
4. Safe Sockets:
   Always use 3-pin sockets with proper earthing.
   • For lights and fans, use 5 Amp sockets.
   • For bigger appliances like heaters or ovens, use 15 Amp, 240 Volt sockets.
     If you need to install a socket lower than 1.3 meters from the ground, make sure it has a safety cover to protect it.
     
5. Ceiling Fan Height:
   The distance between the fan blades and the floor should be at least 2.4 meters but not more than 3.0 meters. This keeps the fan safe and working well.
   
6. Earthing of Metal Parts:
   Any metal covers or parts used in wiring must be properly earthed. This helps prevent electric shocks and keeps everyone safe.

Electrical Safety Rules for a Safe and Happy Home

1. All types of lights in a room or building should be installed at a height of at least 2.25 meters from the floor. This keeps them safe and out of the way.
   
2. Never connect a fuse or a switch to the earth wire. The earth wire is for safety and should not be used to control electricity.
   
3. A fuse should always be placed in the live wire (also called the phase wire). All switches and control devices should also be connected to this wire. This helps in cutting off the electricity properly when needed.
   
4. Every sub-circuit in a building should have its own separate distribution board. This makes it easier to manage and control power safely.
   
5. In a three-phase electricity supply, try to keep the load balanced across all three wires. Use red, yellow, and blue colors to mark the three phases or use wires of these colors. This helps in identifying and managing the connections safely.
   
6. In workshops, the switches and starters of machines should be installed in a place where workers can reach them easily and quickly. This is important for both comfort and emergency safety.
   
7. Any machine, transformer, or equipment that runs on medium or high voltage (like 650 volts or 11,000 volts) should be earthed at two points. Double earthing gives extra protection in case something goes wrong.
   
8. If a machine uses electricity more than 250 volts, a high voltage warning sign must be fixed near its control switch. This helps everyone stay alert and safe.
   
9. Before turning on the power in any new electrical setup, it is very important to check for current leakage using a device called a Megger. The leakage should be very small — not more than 1 part in 5000 of the total current. This test helps make sure that the wiring is safe and not dangerous.
   
10. Light & Fan and Power Wiring Must Be Separate -When we install wires for lights and fans, and for power sockets (like where we plug in mixers, TVs, or heaters), they should be done in the right way as per the Indian Electricity Act, 1956. Keeping them separate makes the system safe and easy to manage.
    
11. Use Only Screws – Never Hammer Wires -While fixing wires and boards, only screws should be used. Never hammer nails into electrical parts. Hammering can damage wires and cause short circuits or even fire.
    
12. Use Strong Wooden Boards -All wooden boards used in wiring must be made of strong teakwood. They should be polished or varnished from all sides to protect them from insects and moisture.
    
13. A simple (plain) board should be at least 4 cm thick.
    If the board has a door or cover (hinged), it should be between 6.5 cm to 8 cm thick.
    
14. 4. Plan Before You Start -Before any wiring work starts, a proper layout and circuit plan should be made. This helps to know where wires will go, which switch controls what, and how to avoid confusion later. Planning always saves time and prevents mistakes.
    
15. 5. Distance Between Two Electric Poles -When putting up electric poles for overhead wires, the distance between two poles should not be more than 67 meters (around 220 feet). This is as per Rule IE 85. If the distance is too much, wires may sag or break.
    
    

Electrical safety precautions

Before you start any work, especially if it involves digging, cutting, or using machines, think about safety first.

✅ Plan Before You Start

• Think about the risks. What could go wrong? Make a simple list to help you stay safe.
• Look around carefully. There might be electric wires overhead, on walls, or hidden underground.
• Use a map of the area. It helps you see where cables or wires might be.

👀 Look in Every Direction

• Look up for power lines.
• Look down for cables under the ground.
• Look all around for warning signs or electric boxes.

🛠️ Be Extra Careful While Digging or Cutting

• Use a cable finder to check for hidden wires before you dig.
• Mark the spot clearly if you find a cable, so others can see it too.

🔌 Stay Away from Live Electricity

• If there are wires near where you want to work, try to work somewhere else.
• If you must work near them, ask for the electricity to be turned off.
• Make sure the power cannot be turned back on until your work is done safely.

🧠 Ask an Expert

• If the power can’t be turned off, talk to someone who understands electricity well.
• They will guide you on what to do next.

⚠️ Keep Everyone Informed

• Clearly show where the danger is using warning signs.
• Tell your team where it’s safe to work and where it’s not.
• When the work is done, remove the signs so no one gets confused later.

Electricity is powerful, but if we stay alert and follow these simple steps, we can keep ourselves and others safe.

FAQ