If you should touch a "hot" wire accidentally and are standing on a dry piece of wood, the conducting pathway to the ground is not good and the electricity may keep running along its wire. But do not touch some other conductor with another part of your body. This would complete a circuit through your body and would be very dangerous. Always make sure there is plenty of good insulation material or plenty of distance between you and anything which might be carrying electricity.
Remember, too, insulation is of little use when it is wet. Dew, mist, rain, condensation, a damp floor can change the whole picture. If you understand electricity and how it acts, you'll be safe enough, because you won't take chances or expose yourself to injury.
Electrical Terms
Alternating Current—Usually referred to as "AC," alternating current is current which reverses its direction of flow at regular intervals, 60 times a second.
Direct Current—"DC" current flows only in one direction. Battery current is DC.
Ampere—Amperes are units by which the rate of flow of electrical current (electrons) is measured. An ampere is 6.3 billion electrons passing one point in a circuit, in one second. This compares with the way the flow of water is measured in gallons per second.
Volts—A volt is a unit to measure the tendency of electrons to move when they are shoved. Voltage is the amount of "push" behind the electrons. It's like water pressure in a pipe. Home power lines carry 115 volts (110 to 120 volts). For appliances such as electric stoves, washers and driers, a second 115-volt line should be added, giving 230 volts (220 to 240 volts).
Watts—Watts equal volts times amperes. Light bulbs, electric irons and other appliances are usually marked with the voltage they require and the number of watts.
Kilowatts—Your electric bill usually reads in kilowatt hours. A kilowatt is 1000 watts. A kilowatt hour equals 1000 watts used for 1 hour. One kilowatt equals about 1-1/3 horsepower. A kilowatt is usually indicated by "kw" and a kilowatt hour by "kwh."
Circuits—A closed circuit is one in which the electricity is flowing, lighting a light, running a motor, or some other appliance. The circuit runs all the way from the place the electricity is being generated to your home, through the appliance or light bulb, and back to the generator.