EPC 48 - Danger of High Voltage Equipment

Question 1

What is the main safety precaution an electrician must observe when carrying out authorised
work in the vicinity of live high voltage equipment?

Answer 1

Maintain a safe distance from the high voltage equipment.

Question 2

What publication can be used to obtain guidelines relating to the minimum safe working
distance from high voltage equipment in WA?

Answer 2

Guidelines for Electrical Distribution and Transmission Work. Energy Safety.

Question 3

How is ‘high voltage’ defined according to AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules)?

Answer 3

Exceeding Low Voltage.

See AS/NZS 3000 Clause 1.4.128(c).

Question 4

Explain in your own words what is meant by the term ‘Touch Current’. State the AS/NZS 3000
Clause number (if applicable).

Answer 4

Electric current which passes through a body when that body touches one or more accessible parts of electrical equipment.
AS/NZS 3000 Clause 1.4.124.

Question 5

Explain in your own words what is meant by the term ‘Touch Voltage’. State the AS/NZS 3000
Clause number (if applicable).

Answer 5

A voltage appearing between simultaneously accessible live parts under indirect contact fault conditions.
(See AS 2067 Clause 3.9.6 and AS/NZS 3000 Clause 1.4.125).

Question 6

Explain in your own words what is meant by the term ‘Step Voltage’. State the AS/NZS 3000
Clause number (if applicable).

Answer 6

Step voltage. The voltage gradient between a person’s feet when approaching a live conductor
lying on the ground.

Question 7

Explain in your own words what is meant by the term ‘Induced Voltage’.

Answer 7

A voltage which occurs in a conductive component as a result of adjacent magnetic fields
without a specific electrical connection to any live part.