I hate to sound like a newb to AC, but I'm replacing a few light switches inside the house and wanted to know what precautions I should take. I never really deal with AC, only DC, so what do I need to do? I'm assuming shut off the power at the circuit breaker. Is that all?
Buy one of those tick testers a HD that lets you know if there is voltage present. They won't tell you what the voltage is, just that there is something there. Turn off the power related to the lights you are working on, and double check that you have no voltage on each of the wires you are cutting. The only other thing that gets some people zapped is a neutral feedback that should not apply to your switch replacement. 120v in a residential environment is not very strong, unless your walls are metal and you are barefoot and standing in a puddle. I don't even turn the power off when I am doing them, but I wouldn't sugggest that to you yet. Piece of cake on the home improvement meter!
Sharon: "I don't know, I just found him laying there, spaazed out, his hair stickin' up like a porcupine's, and this black stuff all over his face. You think it's serious???"
I hear more people are killed with 110 than 220 or 440. Has some to do with more Do-It-Yourself'ers but many don't take the house stuff seriously. It's knock you for a loop depending on what path it takes to find ground. If it's through the ticker, it might be lights out.
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It's knock you for a loop depending on what path it takes to find ground.
This is actually why it is less dangerous than a commercial environment. You are usually standing on carpet that is on plywood and the only ground you have to worry about is the one in the box next to the hot you are dealing with. I've been "hit" a gazillion times by many different voltages,(even 15,000V60MA) and some have made me want to get out of my profession, but just changing out switches is not something that is over most peoples head. If it is, get a sparky out and have a beer while he is working.
As a disclaimer though; Some people should never even think about it!:cwmdie:
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