The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The safety protocols for handling electrical equipment are fundamentally based on the concepts of electrical conductivity and insulation. Water, depending on its composition, can act as a medium for electric current to flow, creating hazardous conditions.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: It is extremely unsafe to carry out electrical repairs outdoors during heavy rain. Water on the equipment or the electrician's body can form a conductive path for the electric current. This significantly increases the risk of electric shock or electrocution, as the current may pass through the body to the ground.
- Statement 2 is Correct: While pure or distilled water is a poor conductor of electricity, rainwater is not pure. As rain falls through the atmosphere, it dissolves atmospheric gases (such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide) and mixes with dust and other particulate matter. These dissolved impurities dissociate into ions, making rainwater a good conductor of electricity.
Key Takeaway: Rainwater is a good conductor of electricity due to the presence of dissolved ions and impurities; therefore, performing electrical work in wet conditions is dangerous.