What is an essential step to take before performing maintenance on electrical equipment?

Turning off power and verifying with a tester is a critical step before performing maintenance on electrical equipment to ensure safety. This procedure prevents the risk of electric shock or injury to maintenance personnel. By de-energizing the equipment and then using a tester, technicians confirm that no voltage is present in the circuits being worked on. This process protects against accidental contact with live circuits, which is essential for maintaining a safe working environment.

The load test and the activation of backup systems involve operations that may come after ensuring that equipment is powered down and safe to handle. Increasing voltage levels goes against safety protocols as it could potentially cause hazardous situations. Therefore, the proper sequence of operations emphasizes the importance of turning off power and confirming it with a tester before any maintenance activities are undertaken.