In the early days of electrical wiring, electricians had to be extremely careful not to get electrocuted while installing lighting, switches, and outlets in homes. I learned through my research that they used several clever techniques to avoid getting zapped by live wires.
Wiring Homes Before Electricity Was Common
When electricity first became available in homes in the late 1800s and early 1900s, most houses did not originally have electrical wiring installed. Electricians had the hazardous job of retrofitting existing homes with electrical systems. This involved snaking wires through walls and ceilings without getting shocked.
At the time, there were no insulated wires, plastic switches, outlet covers, or safety devices like circuit breakers. Early electricians worked with bare copper wires and had to be very cautious when handling live wires. Any slip up could result in a nasty shock or even death by electrocution.
How They Avoided Contact with Live Wires
Electricians in the early 20th century used several techniques to avoid contacting live electrical wires as they wired up existing homes:
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They used rubber mats and wooden platforms to stand on while working, insulating themselves from possible shocks.
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They handled wires with insulated pliers and wore thick rubber gloves for additional protection.
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They made sure to turn off the main power at the fuse box before working on any circuits.
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They were careful to keep one hand in their pocket when handling wires, preventing electricity from flowing across their chest and stopping the heart.
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They worked slowly and cautiously to avoid slipping and falling into wires. Rushing could lead to deadly mistakes.
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They used insulated tape to cover exposed sections of wire when splicing wires together.
Installing the Electrical Panel Safely
One of the most hazardous tasks was installing the main electrical panel, known as the breaker box today. This involved working with the live main power lines from the street. Electricians used these precautions when putting in electrical panels:
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They made sure the power company turned off power to the lines running to the house before working.
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They used a non-conductive wooden or fiberglass ladder when climbing up to access the service wires. A metal ladder could lead to electrocution.
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They wore thick rubber lineman's gloves rated for high voltage. These could prevent electrocution from the high amperage main lines.
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They carefully wired the service cables into the panel without touching the live lugs. It was imperative to avoid brushing up against the interior panel parts.
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They made sure wires were clear of one another and used insulated covers to prevent accidental contact once powered up.
Testing the Wiring Before Turning Power On
After installing new wiring throughout the home, electricians took precautions to test it before re-energizing the system:
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They used a continuity tester to ensure all wires were connected properly without any open breaks.
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They turned off each circuit at the main panel and checked for shorts by verifying no current flowed through. A short could damage wiring or cause fires.
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They checked polarity by testing that the hot and neutral wires were connected correctly throughout. Swapped polarity could damage appliances.
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For lighting circuits, they briefly turned the power on and tapped fixture screws to verify grounding. This could prevent shocks.
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They examined the installation for any dangling wires, loose connections, or exposed conductors that could present a hazard when powered up.
Only after thoroughly testing the new wiring would they turn the main power back on. This meticulousness helped prevent any mishaps that could injure them or the homeowners.
Dodging the Dangers of Early Electrical Work
The brave electricians wiring homes in the early 20th century had to be extremely cautious and deliberate in their work. Without modern safety equipment and insulated wires, any small mistake could prove fatal. Their clever techniques, steady hands, and diligent testing processes allowed them to keep from getting zapped as they pioneered electrical work. I have deep respect for their risky efforts that helped bring electricity into homes.