Electrical Safety and Light Therapy Basics

Electrical Safety

• Adapting a three-pronged plug to fit into a two-pronged outlet eliminates the intended grounding, which can be dangerous.

• Overloading a circuit with too many appliances can cause a power outage and require resetting the main circuit switch on the circuit breaker.

• Electrical current flows more efficiently through wires when the resistance (ohms) is lower than the force (volts).

Light Therapy

• Light therapy is also known as phototherapy.

• Ultraviolet light prompts the skin to produce beneficial vitamin D.

• Ultraviolet light is invisible and has a short wavelength.

• Infrared light produces heat.

• Only 35% of natural sunlight is visible, making up the visible spectrum of light.

• Longer wavelengths have low frequency; shorter wavelengths have high frequency.

Electrotherapy

• Energy moves through space by stimulating nerves.

• Cataphoresis is an electrotherapy treatment that produces reactions like closing pores and stimulating nerves.

• Galvanic current is a direct current with a positive and a negative pole.

• The positive electrode is called an anode; the negative electrode is called a cathode.

• The poles of an electric current are either positive or negative.

• Electrodes are used to direct electric current from an electrotherapy device to the client's skin.

• The use of electrical currents to treat the skin is called electrotherapy.

• Electrical Safety

  • Unplug any electrical appliance immediately if you feel a light shock sensation.
  • Always disconnect any electrical appliances when they are not in use.
  • Never attempt to repair electrical appliances when they malfunction.
  • Inspect electrical equipment regularly.
  • Keep electrical cords off the floor and away from everyone’s feet.
  • Do not pull on the cord when disconnecting an electrical appliance; pull on the plug.
  • Do not attempt to clean around electrical outlets or appliances while equipment is plugged in.

• A GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) would MOST likely be required in a bathroom.

• The grounding pin is the third circular electrical connection on a three-prong plug.

• Grounding is important because it protects against electrical shock by providing a path for electricity to flow to the ground.

• Fuses and circuit breakers are electrical safety devices designed to prevent excessive current from passing through a circuit by blowing out or melting or tripping when a wire overheats.

• Circuit breakers are electrical safety devices frequently used in salons.

• Wires that are not large enough to carry the electrical current passing through them can overheat.

Electrical Measurement

• Watts measure how much electric energy is being used in one second.

• Ohms measure the resistance of electric current.

• Alternating current (AC) changes direction and switches polarity.

This quiz covers essential concepts of electrical safety, light therapy, and electrotherapy. Learn about the importance of grounding, the effects of ultraviolet and infrared light, and the mechanisms of electrotherapy treatments. Test your knowledge on these crucial topics in health and safety.