What must be done to capacitors before employees begin work on them?

Before employees begin work on capacitors, they must be disconnected, short-circuited, and grounded to ensure safety. This procedure is critical because capacitors can store electrical energy, which poses a serious risk of electric shock if not properly discharged before handling.

When a capacitor is disconnected, it isolates it from the electrical circuit, preventing any potential for surprise re-energization during maintenance. Short-circuiting the capacitor safely discharges any stored energy, mitigating the risk of electric shock. Grounding provides an additional layer of safety by ensuring that any residual voltage is safely directed to the ground, further reducing the risk of harm to personnel.

This preventive measure is essential as it aligns with electrical safety regulations and best practices for working with capacitors, protecting employees from hazardous situations that could arise if these components are engaged without adequate safety precautions in place. Understanding this protocol is vital for ensuring a safe working environment when dealing with electrical components.