Precautions to be taken LIVE VOLTGE CHECKS

Prep work
1. Assess the environment before taking the
measurement.
2. Do not work alone in hazardous areas.
3. Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment
Make sure your test instrument is rated for the
measurement environment.
4. Be familiar with and know how to use your equipment
prior to any hazardous measurement.
Best practices
1. Make sure that your meter, and especially your test
leads and probes, are in proper working order.
2. Measure at the lowest energy point.
3. Hang the test instrument or place it on a shelf in front
of you, if available. This allows you to concentrate on
where your hands are placed and keep your eyes on where
you are probing.
4. For single phase, connect neutral first, hot second.
5. Use the three-point test method discussed below.
6. Use test probes with a minimum amount of exposed
metal, such as .12-inch (4-mm) metal tip probes
SF6 Gas Circuit Breakers
 High dielectric strength
 Unique arc-quenching ability
 Excellent thermal stability
 Good thermal conductivity
a ) Toxicity
SF6 is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and nontoxic in its
pure state. It can, however, exclude oxygen and cause
suffocation. If the normal oxygen content of air is reduced
from 21 percent to less than 13 percent, suffocation can
occur without warning. Therefore, circuit breaker tanks
should be purged out after opening.
b) Toxicity Of Arc Products
Toxic decomposition products are formed when SF6 gas is
subjected to an electric arc. The decomposition products
are metal fluorides and form a white or tan powder. Toxic
gases are also formed which have the characteristic odor
of rotten eggs. Do not breathe the vapors remaining in a
circuit breaker where arcing or corona discharges have
occurred in the gas.
Evacuate the faulted SF6 gas from the circuit breaker and
flush with fresh air before working on the circuit breaker.
c) Physical Properties
SF6 is one of the heaviest known gases with a density
about five times the density of air under similar
conditions. SF6 shows little change in vapor pressure over
a wide temperature range and is a soft gas in that it is
more compressible dynamically than air.
The heat transfer coefficient of SF6 is greater than air and
its cooling characteristics by convection are about 1.6
times air.
d) Dielectric Strength
SF6 has a dielectric strength about three times that of air
at one atmosphere pressure for a given electrode spacing.
The dielectric strength increases with increasing pressure;
and at three atmospheres, the dielectric strength is
roughly equivalent to transformer oil. The heaters for SF6
in circuit breakers are required to keep the gas from
liquefying because, as the gas liquifies, the pressure drops,
lowering the dielectric strength.

The exact dielectric strength, as compared to air, varies

with electrical configuration, electrode spacing, and
electrode configuration.
e) Arc Quenching
SF6 is approximately 100 times more effective than air in
quenching spurious arcing. SF6 also has a high thermal
heat capacity that can absorb the energy of the arc
without much of a temperature rise.
f) Electrical Arc Breakdown
Because of the arc-quenching ability of SF6, corona and
arcing in SF6 does not occur until way past the voltage
level of onset of corona and arcing in air. SF6 will slowly
decompose when exposed to continuous corona.
All SF6 breakdown or arc products are toxic. Normal
circuit breaker operation produces small quantities of arc
products during current interruption which normally
recombine to SF6.
Arc products which do not recombine, or which combine
with any oxygen or moisture present, are normally re-
moved by the molecular sieve filter material within the
circuit breaker.
Toxicity
FAULTED SF6 GAS – Faulted SF6 gas smells like rotten
eggs and can cause nausea and minor irritation of the eyes
and upper respiratory tract. Normally, faulted SF6 gas is
so foul smelling no one can stand exposure long enough at
a concentration high enough to cause permanent damage.
SOLID ARC PRODUCTS – Solid arc products are toxic
and are a white or off-white, ashlike powder. Contact with
the skin may cause an irritation or possible painful
fluoride burn. If solid arc products come in contact with
the skin, wash immediately with a large amount of water.
If water is not available, vacuum off arc products with a
vacuum cleaner.
Clothing and safety equipment requirements
When handling and re moving solid arc products from
faulted SF6, the following clothing and safety equipment
should be worn:
COVERALLS – Coveralls must be worn when removing
solid arc products. Coveralls are not required after all
solid arc products are cleaned up. Disposable coveralls are
recommended for use when removing solid arc products;
however, regular coveralls can be worn if disposable ones
are not available, provided they are washed at the end of
each day.
HOODS – Hoods must be worn when removing solid arc
products from inside a faulted dead-tank circuit breaker.
GLOVES – Gloves must be worn when solid arc products
are hah-died. Inexpensive, disposable gloves are
recommended. Non-disposable gloves must be washed in
water and allowed to drip-dry after use.
BOOTS – Slip-on boots, non-disposable or plastic
disposable, must be worn by employees who enter
eternally faulted dead-tank circuit breakers. Slip-on boots
are not required after the removal of solid arc products
and vacuuming. Nondisposable boots must be washed in
water and dried after use.
SAFETY GLASSES – Safety glasses are recommended
when handling solid arc products if a full face respirator
is not worn.
RESPIRATOR – A cartridge, dust-type respirator is
required when entering an internally faulted dead-tank
circuit breaker. The respirator will remove solid arc
products from air breathed, but it does not supply oxygen
so it must only be used when there is sufficient oxygen to
support life. The filter and cartridge should be changed
when an odor is sensed through the respirator.
The use of respirators is optional for work on circuit
breakers whose in terrupter units are not large enough for
a man to enter and the units are well ventilated.
Air-line-type respirators should be used when the
cartridge type is ineffective due to providing too short a
work time before the cartridge becomes contaminated and
an odor is sensed.
When an air-line respirator is used, a minimum of two
working respirators must be available on the job before
any employee is allowed to enter the circuit breaker tank.
Sanction for Test (SFT)

A safety document which is a form of declaration signed

and given by an Authorised Person to a person in charge
of testing high voltage electrical equipment.

It makes known to such person exactly what equipment is

to be tested and the condition under which testing is to be
carried out
=========================================
What is the difference between arc flash and arc blast?
Up to 77% of all electrical injuries are caused by arc flash incidents.

When an arc fault occurs, the result is a massive electrical explosion. The light and heat emitted by the explosion is known as the
arc flash, and the pressure wave is known as the arc blast. An arc flash releases hot gases and concentrated radiant energy up to
four times the temperature of the sun’s surface, which can melt metal and cause severe radiation burns, damage eyesight, and
result in fatalities.

Such high temperatures are also capable of explosively vaporizing metals such as copper.

The presence of vaporized metal can then feed and sustain the plasma arc and exacerbate its power. An arc flash essentially
lasts until the overcurrent protective devices open the circuit.

A fast-acting fuse may open the circuit as quickly as several milliseconds.

The accompanying pressure waves can damage hearing or brain function and send loose equipment, tools, machinery, and debris
flying to cause further injuries. Even if an arc blast doesn’t injure a person, it will damage equipment and cause downtime.

Causes

One of the major causes of arc flash is voltage transients (spikes), resulting from switching reactive loads or lightning strikes. The
transient may last only microseconds, but it may also carry thousands of amps of energy. When such spikes occur while measurements
are being made, they can cause a plasma arc to form—inside the measurement tool, or in the air outside. Other major causes of arc
flash are things as simple as touching a test probe to the wrong surface, worn connections, gaps in the insulation, improperly
installed parts, or dust and corrosion that cause resistance heating.

Consequences

Arc faults are potentially fatal to any personnel in the vicinity. The intense
heat of the arc flash can severely burn human skin and ignite the clothing of anyone within several feet of the incident. Treatment for
arc flash burns can involve years of skin grafts. Without proper eye protection, projectiles and molten debris can cause eye
damage. The intense UV radiation associated with the flash can cause retinal damage. Superheated vapors can injure lungs
and impair breathing. The thermoacoustic blast can damage hearing with ruptured eardrums, cause collapsed lungs and
damage other internal organs. The blast can knock personnel off their feet; falls may result in broken bones or lead to
electrocution or further injuries on other parts of the system.

Arc flash and arc blast are real dangers in industrial electrical environments.

By following best practices, using the proper equipment and staying as far away from energized components as possible you can
reduce your risk of those events and work smarter and safer.

Top 7 arc flash safety measures

One of the major causes of arc flash is voltage transients (spikes) from
inductive load switching or lightning strikes. The transient may last only
microseconds, but it may also carry thousands of amps of energy. Other
causes include things as simple as touching a test probe to the wrong
surface, worn connections, gaps in the insulation, improperly installed
parts, or dust and corrosion that cause resistance heating.
Here are seven safety measures workers can take to reduce the risk of arc
flash:
1. Get trained on safe work practices.
NFPA 70E specifies that all qualified and unqualified employees who
may potentially be exposed to electrical hazards must undergo training
to:
 Identify and avoid electrical hazards.
 Follow safe work practices such as, lockout/tagout procedures,
maintaining hazard boundaries, and abiding by PPE requirements.
Qualified persons must also receive additional training covering such
topics as:
 Electrical equipment and power systems.
 Skills and techniques to test for the presence and absence of voltage.
2. De-energize equipment before accessing
 Until electrical circuits are tested and found absent of voltage, they
must be considered energized.
 Inspect your test tools and verify them with a known voltage source.
 De-energize and lockout/tagout the equipment.
 Repeat the meter verification test.
3. Conduct regular inspections
Knowing the history of the equipment in your facility is the first step to
preventing arc flash. The key to identifying an abnormal reading is to
gather baseline readings for especially important components and
equipment. Critical components to inspect include electrical connections,
insulation, and circuit breakers.
4. Wear arc-rated personal protective equipment (PPE)
Wearing the proper PPE in conjunction with the other safety measures is
critical to minimizing injury in the event of an arc flash incident. In order
for the PPE to perform effectively, its arc thermal performance rating
must meet—or exceed—the thermal energy transfer during the arc flash
incident.
 See NFPA 70E Table 130.7(C)(16) to determine the right PPE
clothing and accessories based on performance rating predicted
energy exposure.
 Always abide by the limits of use and minimum working distance.
 The greater the electrical hazard, the higher the personal protective
equipment arc rating must be to withstand an arc-flash incident.
5. Select tools rated for the environment
  Test tools, test probes, flexible clamps, and other accessories are
considered part of PPE and must meet safety requirements
established by such organizations as ANSI, the Canadian Standards
Association (CSA), and the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC).
 Make sure your meter and accessories have the appropriate CAT and
voltage rating for the electrical environment in which you will use
them.
6. Use remote display or wireless test tools
Extend your safety zone with non-contact or wireless test tools. Non-
contact test tools allow you to take readings on an energized part without
making contact. Wireless test tools enable you to attach the probes or
clamp to the measurement target and remove yourself from the arc blast
zone to read the results. Some of the most common non-contact and
wireless tools for electrical inspections include:
 Non-contact voltage detectors.
 Infrared thermometers.
  Visual infrared thermometers.
 Infrared cameras.
7. Install infrared windows for switchgear inspection
Installing properly certified infrared (IR) windows allows technicians to
inspect electrical equipment without removing the panel cover. That
makes it easier for companies to comply with NFPA 70E when
inspecting switchgear and motors. In selecting IR windows look for:
 High visibility for thermal and visual inspections.
 Grounding to the metal enclosure to avoid the release of static
electricity.
 Easy to open covers that are easy to keep track of and reduce the
technician’s time within the hazard area.
Arc flash and arc blast are very real dangers in today’s industrial
electrical environment. By following best practices, using the proper
equipment and staying as far away from energized components as
possible you can reduce your risk of those events.
 Don't work alone - in the event of an emergency another person's presence
may be essential.
 Always keep one hand in your pocket when anywhere around a powered line-
connected or high voltage system.
 Wear rubber bottom shoes or sneakers. An insulated floor is better than metal
or bare concrete but this may be outside of your control. A rubber mat should be
an acceptable substitute but a carpet, not matter how thick, may not be a
particularly good insulator.
 Wear eye protection - large plastic lensed eyeglasses or safety goggles.
 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 work area away from possible grounds that you may accidentally
contact.
 Have a fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires readily accessible in a
location that won't get blocked should something burst into flames.
 Use a dust mask when cleaning inside electronic equipment and appliances,
particularly TVs, monitors, vacuum cleaners, and other dust collectors.
 Know your equipment: TVs and monitors may use parts of the metal chassis
as ground return yet the chassis may be electrically live with respect to the earth
ground of the AC line. Microwave ovens use the chassis as ground return for the
high voltage. In addition, do not assume that the chassis is a suitable ground for
your test equipment!
 If circuit boards need to be removed from their mountings, put insulating
material between the boards and anything they may short to. Hold them in place
with string or electrical tape. Prop them up with insulation sticks - plastic or
wood.
 If you need to probe, solder, or otherwise touch circuits with power off,
discharge (across) large power supply filter capacitors with a 2 W or greater
resistor of 100 to 500 ohms/V approximate value (e.g., for a 200 V capacitor,
use a 20K to 100K ohm resistor). Monitor while discharging and/or verify that
there is no residual charge with a suitable voltmeter. In a TV or monitor, if you
are removing the high voltage connection to the CRT (to replace the flyback
transformer for example) first discharge the CRT contact (under the insulating
cup at the end of the fat red wire). Use a 1M to 10M ohm 1W or greater wattage
resistor on the end of an insulating stick or the probe of a high voltage meter.
Discharge to the metal frame which is connected to the outside of the CRT.
 For TVs and monitors in particular, there is the additional danger of CRT
implosion - take care not to bang the CRT envelope with your tools. An
implosion will scatter shards of glass at high velocity in every direction. There is
several tons of force attempting to crush the typical CRT. Always wear eye
protection. While the actual chance of a violent implosion is relatively small,
why take chances? (However, breaking the relatively fragile neck off the CRT
WILL be embarrassing at the very least.)
 Connect/disconnect any test leads with the equipment unpowered and
unplugged. Use clip leads or solder temporary wires to reach cramped locations
or difficult to access locations.
 If you must probe live, put electrical tape over all but the last 1/16" of the test
probes to avoid the possibility of an accidental short which could cause damage
to various components. Clip the reference end of the meter or scope to the
appropriate ground return so that you need to only probe with one hand.
 Perform as many tests as possible with power off and the equipment
unplugged. For example, the semiconductors in the power supply section of a
TV or monitor can be tested for short circuits with an ohmmeter.
 Provide a reliable means of warning that power is applied and that high
voltage filter capacitor(s) still hold a charge during servicing. For example,
solder a neon indicator lamp (e.g., an NE2 in series with a 100K ohm resistor)
across the line input and a super high brightness LEDs in series with 100K, 1 W
resistors across the main filter capacitor(s).
 Use an isolation transformer if there is any chance of contacting line
connected circuits. A Variac(tm) (variable autotransformer) is not an isolation
transformer! However, the combination of a Variac and isolation transformer
maintains the safety benefits and is a very versatile device. See the document
"Repair Briefs, An Introduction", available at this site, for more details.
 The use of a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected outlet is a
good idea but may not protect you from shock from many points in a line
connected TV or monitor, or the high voltage side of a microwave oven, for
example. (Note however, that, a GFCI may nuisance trip at power-on or at other
random times due to leakage paths (like your scope probe ground) or the highly
capacitive or inductive input characteristics of line powered equipment.) A
GFCI is also a relatively complex active device which may not be designed for
repeated tripping - you are depending on some action to be taken (and bad things
happen if it doesn't!) - unlike the passive nature of an isolation transformer. A
fuse or circuit breaker is too slow and insensitive to provide any protection for
you or in many cases, your equipment. However, these devices may save your
scope probe ground wire should you accidentally connect it to a live chassis.
 When handling static sensitive components, an anti-static wrist strap is
recommended. However, it should be constructed of high resistance materials
with a high resistance path between you and the chassis (greater than 100K
ohms). Never use metallic conductors as you would then become an excellent
path to ground for line current or risk amputating your hand at the wrist when
you accidentally contacted that 1000 A welder supply!
 Don't attempt repair work when you are tired. Not only will you be more
careless, but your primary diagno