Electrical Safety

Testing Insulating Gloves | Guide to Safe Use & Care for Electrical Gloves

Electrical Insulating Rubber Gloves

Testing Insulating Gloves

Guide To Safe Use of Classes 00, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 Electrical Gloves

Improper use of electrical rubber insulating gloves can be a matter of life and death.

Get them retested regularly to make sure that they are still electrically safe.

Treat your rubber insulating gloves well and they can last a long time. The testing of insulating gloves will help to prevent failure which could lead to electrical shock if the surface integrity has been comprised by “wear and tear”.

As Main UK Stockists for the CATU Electrical range of insulating gloves Thorne & Derrick regularly are requested to provide care and maintenance advice to ensure gloves provide adequate and ongoing electrical safety and protection to the wearer.

Any Brand of Insulating Glove can be tested. Here are some examples:

• CATU
• Regeltex
• Honeywell Salisbury
• Polyco
• Clydesdale (Novax)

Electrical Insulation Tests For Gloves 

Special Properties Of Gloves

1 – Expiration Date

Insulating rubber gloves have no expiry date and may be used as long as they comply with the periodic inspection.

2 – Periodic Inspection

Class 00  and Class 0 Gloves

• Verification regarding air leaks and a visual inspection
• However, a routine dielectric test may be performed at the owner’s request

Class 1, 2 , 3 and 4 Gloves

• Verification regarding air leaks and and a visual inspection
• Verification via a dielectric test to verify electric properties
• Every 6 months to be re-tested, since they were first worn
• Every 12 months, even those held in storage and not worn to be re-tested

Testing Insulating Gloves | Glove Markings

3 – Field inspection & Stock

Do not confuse the periodic inspection with the inspection before each use. Together with the periodic inspection, it is strongly recommended that a visual inspection of the gloves is carried out before each use.

It is important to store the gloves in their UV-Resistant polythene bag and keep the gloves away from light, heat, and ozone. Ideally, the user should use our pneumatic tester to inflate the gloves for a good visual inspection and keep the gloves in our polypropylene store box for both transportation and storage.

4 – Special Properties

Gloves that pass the special properties (acid, oïl, ozone, very low temperature) are not resistant to chemicals. The test is to guarantee electrical protection in case of accidental contacts. After completing the electrical work, it is recommended to replace the contaminated gloves.

A periodic dielectric inspection service

1. On receipt of your gloves to our premises, the gloves and sleeves are documented and then washed and dried.
2. They are then visually inspected by our technicians, using inflation equipment.
3. The next stage is electrical testing. Test equipment is used and tests are carried out according to the correct voltage for the class of glove. After the electrical testing has been completed they are again inflated and visually inspected. The gloves are then stamped and packed for return.
4. Documentation accompanies the gloves and sleeves through all stages of testing and any failures are recorded. Any glove that fails will be destroyed. If the customer wishes, failures can be replaced with new items from our stocks.

Arc Flash PPE & Electrical Safety

Main UK Stockists & Distributors of Electrical Safety Products

Thorne & Derrick provide Electrical Safety Equipment to substation engineers, cable jointers, overhead linesmen and utility workers with PPE and electrical safety equipment including insulating gloves, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing to ensure worker safety when carrying out maintenance on LV-HV switchgear, substations, cables and electrical equipment.

How To Save Lives In High Voltage Substations 11kV/33kV

Thorne & Derrick | Distributed from Stock | Approved Supplier 

CATU CZ kits are wall mounted substation life saving kits that can be used in the event of an electrical incident or accident in MV-HV substations up to 36kV – suitable for electrical intervention in substations up to 36kV and for assisting victims in the event of an electrical hazard or electrocution. Portable life saving kit options are also available for field service vans and engineers.

The installation of one of these Life Saving Rescue Kits can mean the difference between life and death for an electrocution victim and can save lives in high voltage substations. CATU substation life savings kits are in widespread use in the electrical industry – they provide vital protection and reduce the amount of fatalities and serious injuries caused by electrical incidents in and around substations and whilst working on medium voltage cables and electrical equipment installations.

The CZ range of Electrical Safety & Life Saving Intervention Kits are used throughout the wind, solar, rail, oil/gas, data centre, battery storage and utility sectors.

CATU CZ kits

for Medium and High Voltage Substations

The CZ-54 is the most specified substation wall mounted life saving kit – the kit is suitable for up to 24kV and are widely installed during the construction and commissioning of 11kV high voltage substations. Other models are available from Thorne & Derrick and CATU Electrical, including the CATU CZ-55 for high voltage substations up to 36kV, and portable kits such as the CATU CZ-53.

Substation Kit Contents

Wall mounted board with a clear door and security straps to fix the below CATU Electrical components:

• 1 insulating platform 24 kV (phase/ground) CT-7-25/1
• 1 pair of insulating gloves 26,5kV, CG-3-10-NR, class 3 size 10 (IEC 60903:2014).
• 1 telescopic stick 45 kV with rescue hook
• 1 voltage detector (3 to 40kV) with flexible contact antenna fixed on the hook ref. M952170
• 1 pair of insulating boots to protect against the electrical risks of voltage when stepping on the ground MV-135/45 (size 45) or over boots class 3 MV-139-L (depending on ref)
• 1 cable cutter with insulated handles 25kV

Safety instructions on the plastic board, 1 instruction manual, 1 fixing kit with :

• 2 braces
• 6 TR 6×35 screws
• 6 pins
• 6 washers
• 2 plastic clips

How To Save Lives In High Voltage Substations 11kV 33kV | CATU CZ54

Medium & High Voltage Substation Life Saving Kits | CATU CZ53, CZ54 & CZ55

The components are within the plastic board which :

• Protects against dust and shocks
• Avoids borrowing of the electrical safety components
• Protects the safety equipment during transportation
• The substation kit is delivered with all the components already inside the board
• When the substation kit is fixed on the wall, the voltage detector shall be fixed on the stick, and the stick shall be unfolded and placed in the board
• Dimensions: 0,84 m x 0,75 m x 0,27 m
• Weight with components: 21 kg

CATU CZ Kit For HV Substations

Installing the Substation Kit

To protect this kit during transport, all components are placed inside the cabinet. To facilitate wall mounting, we recommend emptying it of its component parts.

• Mount the angle brackets on the wall taking care to match the precise distance of 600 mm between brackets (using two screws per bracket).
• Be sure to mount the cabinet 1510 mm from the floor.
• Place the cabinet onto the angle brackets and clip the two pressure mounted plastic clips into place.
• With the cabinet still on the wall, drill the wall through the two holes located in the base of the cabinet.
• Press the wall plugs in and screw in the two screws after inserting the washers.
• Stow the component parts in the cabinet using the Velcro strips for boots, cable cutter and stool.
• Extend the pole and mount the detector (so that this assembly is immediately operational).
• Clip the pole into the location provided.
• Check that the detector operates properly (by pressing the red button).

Offshore Wind Substations MV & HV Electrical Safety. Image Source: Daniel Paskell/Ørsted

The Risk & Electrical Switchgear Guide | Failure of electrical switchgear can cause death, serious injury and major damage. If you own or operate this type of equipment in industrial or commercial organisations, this book is mainly aimed at you. It should help you to select, use and maintain switchgear safely and reduce the risk of accidents. This guidance is aimed at owners and operators of electrical switchgear in industrial and commercial organisations. It may also be useful to others. It will help managers, engineers and others to understand their responsibilities and duties in the selection, use, operation and maintenance of high-voltage switchgear. Here you can download the HSE Guide to Keeping Electrical Switchgear Safe.

Warning

• To ensure optimum protection, all insulating components must be used (stool, gloves, pole).
• The detector only works with AC power (no detection is possible when using DC installations).
• Before use, always check equipment integrity (especially the gloves).
• Before and after checking to ensure that no voltage is present, always check correct installation operation.
• This check must be performed in contact with bare conductive parts.
• Never cut a number of phases at the same time using the cable cutters (this causes a short circuit hazard at blade level).

Selecting Your Substation Electrical Safety Kits

➡ The following table provides an overview of the operating voltages, ordering references and language versions available for the CATU Electrical range of MV HV Substation Kits: 

Connecting High Voltages & Energising Data Centres | more info

THORNE & DERRICK

Thorne & Derrick are national distributors of LV, MV & HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – servicing businesses involved in cabling, jointing, substation, earthing, overhead line and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and EHV. Supplying a complete range of power cable accessories to support the installation and maintenance of low/medium and high voltage power systems:

• Slip-on Cable Terminations
• Cold-shrink Cable Terminations
• Heat-shrink Cable Terminations
• Cable Joints – Heat & Cold-shrink
• Separable Connectors (Euromold)
• Surge Arresters & Switchgear/Transformer Bushings

Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV

MTag High Voltage Detectors from PBwel (P&B Weir Electrical Ltd)

MTag High Voltage Detectors

High Voltage Detectors

The MTag series of high voltage detectors from PBwel (P&B Weir Electrical Ltd) are available from Thorne & Derrick International based in the UK, the leading Specialist Distributor of Electrical Safety Equipment.

Detectors Approved to BS EN 61243-1

Designed for «proving dead» on high voltage distribution system between 1kV and69 kV (voltage ranges calibrated according to IEC recommendations).

The MTag detects any nominal voltage present on a overhead line or in a substation

The MTag detector meets all the expectations and wishes expressed by users and experts in recent years.

Reliable Indication
• Detects nominal voltages of its range
• Eliminates related induced voltages
• Enhanced audible and visual signals perceptible in most conditions

Heavy Duty & Reliable Design
• Direct access to the battery
• Sealed, watertight electronic compartment
• Pole end fittings interchangeable by the user, no tools required

Available with separate proving unit.

Pbwel Mtag Voltage Detector

Electrical Safety Providers

We protect substation engineers, asset managers, SAPS, cable jointers, overhead linesmen and utility workers with PPE and safety equipment: this includes insulating gloves, arc flash clothing, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing to ensure worker safety when carrying out repair and maintenance on LV-HV switchgear, transformers, substations and turbines.

All of our Cable Connection & Energisation Accessories including Medium & High Voltage joints, terminations, connectors and cleats are tested to the latest international standards and supporting ranges of professional installation tools are stocked to reduce incident, accident and downtime to plant and people.

Thorne & Derrick Stocking Agreement for PBwel Rail Earthing Equipment

Thorne & Derrick, the UK Preferred Distributor for P&B Weir Electrical Ltd (PBwel), are now stocking their range of Rail Earthing Equipment with PADS Approval for use on Network Rail high voltage electrification projects. This significant and strategic stock holding is the culmination of discussions and planning to support framework contractors and construction alliances during and beyond the current CP6 plan.

Next Day Delivery

Thorne & Derrick will be able to provide next day delivery from stock at competitive prices for the PBwel range of Operating Poles & Temporary Earthing Kits; the complete range consists of DEP Short Earth Leads, J117 Rail Clamps, Long Blue Interlocked Earths, Short-Circuiting Straps, Rail Bonds, Rail Jumper Bonds, Rail Poles, Voltage Detectors, Rail Socket and Heads, Arboriculture Equipment and Signal Sighting Targets.

“With recent industry announcements by Network Rail about their multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, which represents the largest rail investment programme since Victorian times, it is important from a business perspective that Thorne & Derrick are placed to support clients requirements from stock. We have been privileged to be suppliers to Network Rail for several decades and this extension to our PADS Approved Rail Products range is aimed to raise levels of customer service and personal safety – the product training provided by Tim Harris including support at our office and in the field has been first-class and we look forward to introducing this news to our customers in the coming weeks.”

“The PBwel Aluflex range of temporary and portable earth leads are manufactured from multi-stranded, commercially pure aluminium with an extruded PVC sheath to preserve the cable – Short Earths, DEP Earths and Jumpers & Bonds are available at any length and with clamp choices for use on 25kV OHL and substation power systems, just contact us with your requirements,” adds Chris Dodds (Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick).

“We had a great discussion about our future commitments and agreed sales targets at the beginning of the year for 2022 – we are now excited to implement our business development plan for the UK rail industry. Working together with Thorne & Derrick we can design new and customised solutions for Portable Earthing and deliver via distribution standard products on an overnight service. Thorne & Derrick will support contractors and end-users via their trained Sales Team with competitive prices and stock availability of product. I will be on hand to support their team with continuous product training, either field based or online, to ensure their technical knowledge is up to date with the latest industry standards,” comments Tim Harris (Technical Sales Engineer at PBwel).

Portable & Temporary Earthing for Rail Electrification | Safe Systems of Working

The PBWel range of PADS Approved Portable Earths handle electrical and drain induced current associated with the inadvertent energisation of 25kV overhead power lines – this provides electrical protection of trackside workers and engineers carrying out maintenance, repair or construction under supervision and inspection of the project HV SAP.

Manufactured from highly conductive, commercially pure, Aluflex aluminium material the system is used during rail track possessions and electrical isolations – the Short Orange DEP (Designated Earth Point) Rail Earth is used in conjunction with operating pole sets, live line indicator and the CATU Dispensing Head MT630C.

Stocked by Thorne & Derrick

Thorne & Derrick supply an extensive range of 400V-33kV Rail Cable Accessories & Power Distribution Sytems including feeder pillars to contractors undertaking Low Voltage Power Distribution, HV Electrification & Substations, DC Traction & Networks, OLE and Track Feeder Cable Renewals – a complete range of Network Rail PADS approved track terminations, cable joints, cable repair and connection products up to 25kV, including 3M Cold Shrink, Pfisterer CONNEX and Nexans Euromold products.

Heat shrink, cold shrink, push-on and slip-over cable accessories enable the jointing, terminating and connection of medium/high voltage power cables to oil, air or gas insulated switchgear, transformers, motors and overhead lines.

Full range of Cable Pulling Equipment & Products to ensure safe and efficient of rail cables in to cable ducts and containment infrastructure including cable troughs.

Reliable & Compliant Cable Accessories for Substation, Trackside & OHL Power Supply

Contact us for a Quotation for Rail Earthing Equipment

Why Is Electrical Safety Important?

Electrical Safety In The Workplace

• Special thanks to Rebecca Broadhead CMgr FCMI Tech IOSH MD at Electrical Safety UK for the kind permission to republish

Electrical safety

Identify Electrical Safety Hazards

You cannot smell, hear, or see electricity, so making sure you have the right systems in place to manage this hazardous energy is critical to the wellbeing of your employees and your Company.

There are two major hazards of electricity:

• Electric Shock
• Arc Flash

Electrical safety is important because hazards such as arc flash and shock can result in death if you are exposed to them. Fortunately, the likelihood of this occurring is relatively low. However, the control measures that prevent these hazards require careful management, attention to detail and technical competence.

Injuries that can result from electric shock are as follows:

• Cardiac arrest due to the electrical effect on the heart
• Muscle, nerve, and tissue destruction from a current passing through the body
• Thermal burns from contact with the electrical source
• Falling or injury after contact with electricity

Injuries that can result from arc flash are as follows:

• Burns from the high temperatures produced by the arc
• Blindness from the ultra-violet light produced by the arc
• Hearing loss caused by the pressure wave from the arc blast

Comply with Electrical Safety Legislation

Not surprisingly there is legislation in place that aims to regulate these electrical hazards. The three main ones are:

• Health and Safety at Work Act – Primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. It sets out the general duties which:
  • employers have towards employees and members of the public
  • employees have to themselves and to each other
  • certain self-employed have towards themselves and others
• The Electricity at Work Regulations – expand on the rules regarding electrical safety in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Employers are given duties and responsibilities to make sure that all work activity that uses or may be affected by electricity is done safely, and that all foreseeable risks are assessed and minimised as much as possible.
• Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – Employers are required to undertake an assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees and other people who may be affected by their work activity.

More Electrical Safety Products for LV MV HV Cables, Conductors, Substations & Overhead Lines

Managing Electrical Risk is Important

We will now try to answer the question: What should you have in place to manage electrical risk?

In a nutshell, it is important have an Electrical Safety Management System in place. What does that consist of, you may ask? It depends upon the size of your organization, but let us assume you are a large company, you should have something like the following in place:

1. Electrical Safety Rules – including training, compliance, and auditing.
2. Electrical Safety Instructions typically these may cover subjects such as:
   • Arc Flash
   • Live Working
   • Design Standards
   • Earthing Systems
   • Tools and Test Equipment
   • Hazardous Areas
   • Lightning Protection
   • Electrical Maintenance
   • Electrical Isolation and Immobilization
   • Fault finding and phasing out
   • Excavations and cartridge tools
   • Ageing and obsolescence
   • Fire Systems
3. Electrical Permit System – typically:
   • Low Voltage Permit to Work
   • Limitation of Access
   • High Voltage Permit to Work
   • Isolation Certificate
   • Sanction for Test
   • Sanction for Live Work
4. Electrical Authorisation System – You should have different levels of authorisation for electrical personnel that limits what work they can do. You may have several different levels of authorisation such as:
   • Senior Authorised Person
   • Authorised Person
   • Competent Person

Take our free electrical safety self assessment for a formal report on your current situation.

Within each category there can also be different levels of authorisation dependent upon the competency required to undertake certain tasks.

1. Electrical Competency Management System:

This should describe how you manage electrical competence, from recruitment through to technical competence requirements for each electrical role within your organisation.

2. Organisational Arrangements:

This should describe who is responsible for electrical safety and how your organisation is set up to manage electrical safety, including individual roles and responsibilities.

Electrical Safety Management is our core business. We provide expert consultancy and advice services for blue chip organisations across Europe concerned with the safe management of risk associated with all electrical work activities.

Electrical Safety UK provide a multi-faceted holistic approach including a full electrical safety management programme, project management and policy documentation all bespoke to the client’s requirements including fully accredited and bespoke training courses and personnel assessment programmes.

2 Genesis Business Park
Sheffield Road
Rotherham
S60 1DX
Tel: 0800 652 1124
Tel: 01709 961 666

Email: [email protected]

To find out more information click here

Electrical Safety Providers

We protect substation engineers, asset managers, SAPS, cable jointers, overhead linesmen and utility workers with PPE and safety equipment: this includes insulating gloves, arc flash clothing, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing to ensure worker safety when carrying out repair and maintenance on LV-HV switchgear, transformers, substations and turbines.

All of our Cable Connection & Energisation Accessories including Medium & High Voltage joints, terminations, connectors and cleats are tested to the latest international standards and supporting ranges of professional installation tools are stocked to reduce incident, accident and downtime to plant and people.