Why should you avoid touching bare conductors with bare hands when the system is energized?

Why should you avoid touching bare conductors with bare hands when the system is energized?

• A. Risk of electric shock and arc flash
• B. It is safe if you are quick
• C. It will power down automatically
• D. It will improve conductivity

Answer: (A)

Touching bare energized conductors is dangerous because it creates two serious hazards: electric shock and arc flash. The human body can conduct electricity, so a path through your skin or other tissues can allow current to flow, which may cause a mild shock or, at higher currents or longer exposure, severe injury or death. In addition, a gap between live conductors can suddenly ignite plasma in the air, producing an arc flash that releases enormous heat, bright light, and a pressure wave. This can burn the skin and eyes and throw nearby objects, even if you think the contact will be brief. Because these hazards exist whenever parts are energized, the proper safety approach is to avoid contact entirely and de-energize the system or use appropriate protective equipment and insulated tools when work must be done on live parts. Quick contact is not safe, there is no automatic power-down just by touching, and touching bare conductors does not improve conductivity.

Touching bare energized conductors is dangerous because it creates two serious hazards: electric shock and arc flash. The human body can conduct electricity, so a path through your skin or other tissues can allow current to flow, which may cause a mild shock or, at higher currents or longer exposure, severe injury or death. In addition, a gap between live conductors can suddenly ignite plasma in the air, producing an arc flash that releases enormous heat, bright light, and a pressure wave. This can burn the skin and eyes and throw nearby objects, even if you think the contact will be brief.

Because these hazards exist whenever parts are energized, the proper safety approach is to avoid contact entirely and de-energize the system or use appropriate protective equipment and insulated tools when work must be done on live parts. Quick contact is not safe, there is no automatic power-down just by touching, and touching bare conductors does not improve conductivity.