personal safety - preventing electric hazard

I usually have AC mains powered devices/circuit on my desk, and I rarely taste AC current by accident:)

Could anyone suggest to me what kind of protection I should use for personal safety against electric shock? Would an isolation mat under my table be enough? What are the considerations when selecting a proper item and installing it?

Answer

There are many ways to avoid electric shock. Unfortunately all of them are dependent on your working environment. Following are some of the precautions that you can take care of.

1. Try to wear EH rated Shoes. This is definitely your first line of defense.


2. Isolation mat is also really good idea. It provides protection if you are using a conducting chair.


3. You should make sure that the power supplies that you are using has proper earthing connection. Always use a power supply that has 3 connections to mains i.e. live, neutral, and earthing.


4. Try to avoid doing any re-wiring work near your desk as it tends to leave open wires on your desk.



5. Always install circuit breakers switches near your desks. This helps in breaking connections in case of short-circuit or component bursting.


6. Never try to handle a device after it is powered on. This is the mistake that even experienced people do.


7. If you have to touch a device after its been powered on try not to touch it at two points. This would not complete the circuit and you will not get shocked.

Finally I must have "fear of getting shocked". This way you will always be careful around electric equipment.

P.S. If you use shoes or rubber mat, always use anti-static gloves while working on instruments that are prone to static electricity. I have actually damaged a processor just because of static electricity.