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7/2/2019 Page 2 of 3

Bonding
Illuminated Sign / Non-illuminated Sign /
Fascia Fascia

Lamp Gear

Supply
Earthing

Demonstration of Earthing and Bonding

Water build-up

Water (and ice) is conductive, if a build-up of water occurs near live parts this can cause short circuit or
earth faults. Always ensure that signs and enclosures are powered down before opening and that any
electrical gear is kept dry. If water is building up in a sign, ensure that this is reported to your supervisor.
If drainage holes are present ensure they are clear.

Capacitors

It is common to find capacitors in illuminated signs, especially in fluorescent lighting. Capacitors store
an electrical charge and can remain dangerous even when the power
is turned off. Never touch the terminals of a capacitor unless you
have safely discharged it by a suitable method. Do not connect the
terminals of a charged capacitor together as this will cause a short
circuit that could be potentially dangerous and could damage the
capacitor.

Example of a Capacitor

Safe Isolation

In order to ensure equipment being worked on is turned off, and that it cannot be turned back on until the
work is finished, these is a standard Isolation Procedure that must be adopted.
1. Locate the means of isolation. This should be labelled, however in most cases it would be the
circuit breaker at the distribution board. The means of isolation must be able to be locked in the off
position.
2. Switch off the isolator. Ensure you have permission to do so beforehand.
3. Lock the isolator in the off position. Take the keys to the lock with you. If the isolation device is a
fuse, take the fuse with you.
4. Using a suitable test meter, check the meter on a known supply or proving unit to ensure it is
working.
5. Test the circuit that has been isolated to ensure it is dead. Check between Live to Earth, Live to
Neutral and Neutral to Earth to ensure a wring fault has not occurred.
6. Using the same test meter, recheck to ensure the meter is still working.
7. The equipment can now be worked on. Ensure the supply is re-energised after working on the

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Environmental Bulletin No 2 Electrical Work.doc