What should you do before repairing an electrical circuit?

Before repairing an electrical circuit, disconnecting the power source is the essential first step to ensure safety. This action helps to prevent electrical shock hazards and reduces the risk of short circuits or other accidents during the repair process. By ensuring that the circuit is de-energized, the technician can work safely and confidently without the threat of live electricity.

Testing the circuit to see if it is live does not ensure safety and may lead to a potentially dangerous situation if the technician mistakenly believes that they are safe when they are not. Checking for visible damage, while important, should not take precedence over de-energizing the circuit first. Informing a supervisor is also a good practice, especially in a workplace setting, but it should occur after ensuring that the circuit is safe to work on. Therefore, prioritizing the disconnection of the power source mitigates the most immediate risks associated with electrical work.