ECOP Flashcards
The Electricity at work regulations requires that all work done on any electrical plant shall be carried out DEAD unless …
unreasonable in all circumstances to work dead
reasonable to work live
suitable precautions are taken to prevent injury
Define Electrical equipment
any item intended to be used or installed for use to generate rectify use measure provide store distribute control convert conduct transmit transform
Define System
an electrical system in which all electrical equipment is electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy
Define Low Voltage
a voltage not exceeding 1000VAC or 1500VDC
Define Dead
at or about zero potential and disconnected from any live system
Define Live
Electrically charged
Define Earth
The conductive mass of the earth who’s potential at any point is assumed zero
Define Earthed
Connected to earth through switch-gear or conductors having an adequately rated earthing capacity
Define Isolated
Disconnection and separation of the electrical equipment from every source of electrical energy in such a way that the disconnection and separation is secure
Define Isolator
A pad-lockable device for rending electrical electrical equipment isolated in a secure and effective manner
Name some codes and standards
Health & Safety at Work Act (HASAW) Electricity at Work Regs (EAWR 1989) Wiring Regs (BS7671) Test Leads (GS38) Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX) & (BS EN 60079) Safety of Machinery (BS EN 60204) Code of Practice for Earthing (BS 7430)
What needs done to work on DEAD Electrical Plant & Equipment
- Obtain electrical circuit drawings
- Confirm details of the relevant circuits need to be isolated
- Confirm details of any safety procedures or requirements that may apply
- Investigate whether any hazardous substances, processes or other special conditions will be present
- A Method Statement may be required
- Identify the plant or equipment and isolate
- Lock off or secure all sources
- Affix approved warning notices to all points of isolation.
- Prove that the plant or equipment is dead by the approved methods of test.
When testing LIVE what should the test probe and leads have
Test probes and leads used with a voltage indicator or voltmeter should have:-
- finger barriers or be shaped so as to guard against inadvertent hand contact with the live conductors under test.
- The leads to be adequately insulated - normally double insulation.
- Test instruments should be clearly marked with the maximum voltage which may be tested and any short time rating for the device.
How do you use a Voltage detector
They must be proved before and after use (for each activity) on a known source of similar voltage to the circuit under test or alternatively on a portable test source.
What is a Green Panel
All components within the panel are to IP2X standard
What is a Yellow Panel
Generally to IP2X standards – clear plastic covers fitted over non-IP2X components
What is a Red Panel
Contains exposed low voltage terminals identified after assessment of panels
What are approved tasks in a Green Panel
- Live testing
- Visual inspection
- Re-setting of circuit breakers and overloads
- Replacement of control circuit fuses
- Isolation of the equipment
- Minor Tasks deemed safe to be carried out after consultation with authorized person.
If you removed any barriers or protective elements in a green panel what would this mean
the panel would be downgraded to a red panel
How do you diagnose a circuit in a Yellow Panel
Clear plastic covers fitted, suitably drilled for diagnosis. All plastic covers to be replaced and made secure on completion
If you removed any plastic covers in a yellow panel what would this mean
the panel would be downgraded to a red panel
What are approved tasks in a Red Panel
Visual inspection
What are approved tasks in a Red Panel after you’ve had assessment of requirement for appropriate PPE
Isolation of equipment
Resetting of circuit breakers and overloads
Live testing
Describe IP2x
This rating indicates that any hazardous parts cannot be accessed by a finger or solid objects greater than 12.5 mm
