How Early Electricians Dealt With the Dangers of Exposed Wires

When electricity first became available in homes and businesses in the late 19th century, the hazards of exposed wires were not well understood. As a novice electrician in those early days, I had to learn through trial and error how to deal with the dangers of this new technology.

Learning the Hard Way About Exposed Wires

In the early years of commercial electricity, insulation on wires was minimal or non-existent. I often found myself installing exposed copper wires along walls and ceilings. At first, I did not realize the risks that these bare wires posed. However, after a few close calls, I quickly gained an awareness of the dangers.

The first time I got a serious shock, I was installing exposed wires in an attic. As I was wiring up a new lighting circuit, my elbow accidentally brushed against a live wire. I felt a powerful jolt shoot through my arm that knocked me off my ladder. After that incident, I started wearing thick rubber gloves whenever handling exposed wires. However, even gloves did not fully protect me.

On another job, I was tidying up some tangled wires in a basement. Despite wearing rubber insulation, I still got a painful shock when my pliers slipped and touched two exposed copper conductors. I realized that even experienced electricians could get careless around live wires.

Pioneering Safety Standards for Wiring

After several close calls with bare copper wires, I became an advocate within the electrical community for improved safety standards. Here are some of the key changes that I campaigned for:

• Insulated wires - I recommended that all home and business wiring be fully insulated using rubber, cloth, or paper coatings. This would prevent accidental contact with live conductors.

• Conduit piping - Wires should be run through sealed metal or ceramic conduits. Conduit protects wires and makes them inaccessible.

• Circuit breakers - Early fuse boxes should be replaced by more reliable circuit breakers, which when tripped would cut power and reduce electrocution risks.

• Voltage warnings - Electrical devices should be clearly labeled with their operating voltage. This would alert users to higher voltage wires that posed greater danger.

• Licensing for electricians - To ensure proper training in safety procedures, I proposed mandatory electrical licensing for all commercial installers and repairmen.

It took many years before electrical codes caught up with these safety recommendations. However, each new standard helped reduce accidents from early electrical systems.

Staying Vigilant Around Electrical Hazards

As an early practitioner of the electrical trades, I had to remain extremely cautious when handling exposed wiring. Here are some of the precautions I took to protect myself:

• Wear thick rubber gloves, boots, and protective headgear when working with uncovered wires.

• Use insulated tools and ladders to avoid accidental shocks.

• When possible, only work on wiring with the power switched completely off.

• Clearly label and isolate any wires that remain energized for testing.

• Double check that circuits are de-energized before touching wires.

• Keep first aid supplies on hand in case of electrical accidents.

• Never rush or take shortcuts around live wires. Focus intently on the task at hand.

Though electricity brought many conveniences, it could be deadly if mishandled. By maintaining vigilance and following rigorous safety procedures, early electricians like myself were able to manage the dangers of this marvelous but hazardous invention. The lessons we learned paved the way for the safer electrical systems we enjoy today.