Stay Safe While Handling Electricity

Did you know that, each and every year, 1,000 U.S. men and women perish from electric shock, and another 30,000 sustain non-fatal shock-related injuries? Handling electricity can be extremely dangerous, and live wires pose a significant risk of fire, electrocution, injury, and sometimes even death. What small tools can dramatically reduce these risks?

Threaded Standoffs and Rubber Grommets

Threaded standoffs, typically made from brass, nylon, or aluminum, are most commonly used to elevate electronics, such as printed-circuit boards. Standoffs use a series of threads in order to remain securely in place, and threaded standoffs may be circular or hexagonal in shape. Separating electronics prevents shorts, and reigns in risks of electrical accidents and injury.

Rubber grommets similarly insulate and separate wires. Consumers can choose from circular or oblong grommets – fashioned from durable rubber or hard plastic – to best suit their needs. Grommets work by redirecting wiring and cables from sharp edges and corners, and most are designed to maintain their shapes and withstand considerable amounts of pressure. Some varieties can even tolerate extreme temperatures (including temperatures as high as 180 degrees Fahrenheit).

Zip Ties

The airline industry first put zip ties, also commonly referred to as cable ties, to commercial use. Mechanics and airline officials used ties to bunch wires and secure them into place. Today, a number of different industries use zip ties, and for much the same purpose. Zip ties fasten using a series of teeth, and are available in a number of different materials, including stainless steel, nylon, and plastic. Different materials offer different benefits. Stainless steel, for example, is often flame resistant while nylon ties prevent chemical wear and curtail vibrations.

Live wires can catch fire and often pose threats of injury and electrocution. Threaded standoffs and rubber grommets provide necessary insulation and separation, and zip ties help organize wires and keep them well out of harm’s way. Read more.