High Voltage Safety Rules and Regulations

Rule#1. Dont do the job if you are not trained and qualified for that.

Rule#2. Do not depend too much on internet.

Rule#3. Do not ask question without reading the related documents.

Rule#4. Do not sit in a position which is not suit to you.

Rule#5. Do not try to change local rules and regulations.

Rule#6. Do not join any company who have no system, archives, operation and maintenance manual etc...

Rule#7. Do not underestimate NFPA,IEEE,ANSI,OSHA,

Rule#8. Do not forget the Electrical engineering basics, power generation,transmission,distribution chapters.

Rule#9. Do not buy equipments which has no operation and maintenance manual.

Strictly follow your country's National Electric Code.

These are the main rules we review at the start of each shift when working with HV. We walk the area at the beginning of each shift and apply each rule to the given scope and then we discuss (sometimes debate) how each rule applies to a given task and the level of safety that rule affords us.

Proper care and caution are not determined by these rules alone. There are many, many other factors that must be taken into account with each task that you perform on HV conductors, equipment, and/or gear BEFORE you start your work.

HHung, you need to understand that making a mistake with HIGH VOLTAGE is usually a one-time-only event for the person that comes in contact with high voltage.

Here is what we follow;

Don't work alone - in the event of an emergency another person's presence may be essential.

Know the emergency procedures to follow in case of an accident (dial 911).

Wear arc-flash protection where applicable.

De-energize the equipment at least twice prior to beginning work.

Make sure that the controls applied will prevent operation of the equipment and that all hazardous energy, including residual or stored energy, is blocked, discharged, or relieved prior to starting work.

Lock-out – Tag-out

Never enter into an area containing exposed electrical energy sources alone.

Use only the test instruments, and insulated tools rated for the voltage and current specified.

Make sure insulation on tools, gloves, arm/shoulder sleeves, floor mats, ect have been tested and certified since the last use and that certification is not older than 30 days.

Wear rubber bottom shoes or sneakers or use an insulated floor mat rated for the voltage in use.

Don't wear any jewelry or other articles that could accidentally contact circuitry and conduct current, or get caught in moving parts.

Set up your staging area away from actual work area to prevent accidental contact with live conductors/equipment.

If you need to touch or handle circuits with power off, discharge (across) large power supply filter capacitors (at least 2 times). Monitor while discharging and/or verify that there is no residual charge with a suitable non-touch voltmeter.

Jumper all de-energized conductors to ground. Use mechanical pos-displacement claps only

Don't attempt repair work when you are tired. Not only will you be more careless, but also your primary diagnostic tool - deductive reasoning - will not be operating at full capacity.

Finally, never assume anything without checking it out for yourself! Don't take shortcuts!

Hi JKL/USA,

Good post & advice,

I required further clarifications reflect to insulated floor mat that you had mentioned.[USE AN INSULATED FLOOR MAT RATED FOR THE VOLTAGE IN USE]

I have 33kV Substation and plan to purchase the rubber mat. From what I know,there is a class (2,3 & 4) of floor mat rating related to voltage.My question is,refer to IEC the working voltage or (rated voltage) is phase-phase voltage (in my case is 33kV) or phase to ground (33000/sqrt3)=19kV.Considering the fault can only happen from phase to ground at any time.

Regards.

How the 33kV System is grounded? Is it solid or impedance or ungrounded?

Its a solid ground

Thnx.