Basic Safety Training

CONTENTS
1. Why Electrical Safety?
2. Safety Assessment at Work Place
3. Basic electrical Safety Procedures & Standard Electrical Safety
Tools
4. LOTO Procedure
 1. WHY SAFETY?
Program Objectives: This safety program is to make people

at work aware.

Eliminating hazards

Controlling hazards and risks associated with a job to:

 1. WHY SAFETY?

Minimize personal injuries

Maximize property conservation
Reduce direct and indirect costs.
Achieve greater efficiency
Eliminate loss of life
 a. To do it effectively
Effectiveness of a safety program will depend upon:

Active participation of all personnel

Sincere cooperation of all supervisors and employees, and
Coordination of their effort in carrying out the following basic
responsibilities:
1. Plan all work to avoid personal injury, property damage and loss of
productive time.
 a. To do it effectively
2. Maintain a system of prompt detection and correction of unsafe
practices and conditions.
3. Provide for the protection of adjacent public property, for the safety
of the public, at all working places.
4. Establish and conduct an educational program to stimulate and
maintain interest and participation of all employees through:
Safety meetings and safety communications called toolbox.
 2. Safety assessment at work place
Safety assessment is:
Investigation of all accidents and potential incidents to determine cause
and to take necessary corrective action to eliminate potential problems.
Use of proper work methods, protective equipment and mechanical guards.
Employee safety instruction applicable to all assigned work.
Safety training programs.
Keeping records of accidents and losses, including an accident experience
summary.
2.1 What are hazards?
Hazards are dangerous accidents that:

Cut you
Trip you
Burn you
Crush you
Hurt your hearing
Hurt your
eyes
Make you
sick
Cause you
pain
 Hazards are dangerous accidents that occur due to:
Not knowing where you work.
Failure to identify risks.
Failure to document observations and accident events.
Failure to report accident events.
Failure to meet and do risk assessment (RA).
Failure to do root cause analysis (RCA) during accident events.
Failure to plan action plans to results of RCA.
Failure to negligence and not to consistently abide by safety rules.
 3. Basic electrical Safety Procedures & Standard
Electrical Safety Tools

Doing operations or your job safely

How?
Communication
Care
Consultation
Working on and operation of Electric Power
In addition to the following general safety instructions all

applicable local, national and international electrical safety

regulations must be observed.
Any specific safety instructions given in the manufacturers

publications must be followed.

The personnel responsible for carrying out the work must

obtain information on the state and location of switches.

Always do STOP before work
 STOP
S- stop, do not start work right away.
T- take time to think twice.
O- observe any source of risk.
P- proceed.
What is the risk?
What is the risk?
What is the risk?
 Only properly trained and authorized personnel shall be
permitted to operate or handle any portion of the equipment.
This also applies to settings, adjustments, inspections and
maintenance.
Every precaution should be taken to prevent accidents and
incorrect operation.
Keep working area tidy.
3.1 Protective Equipment (PE)

Protection Equipment (PE).

Suitable protective equipment, warning notices and accessories
must be available and maintained in a serviceable condition. Some
examples are:
Insulating protective clothing (gloves, boots, overalls, headgear), called
PPE.
Eye protectors (goggles, protective masks), PPE.
Insulating protective devices (plates, mats, cloths, screens), PPE.
 Insulated tools (hand tools, tools for replacement of fuses..)
Equipment and devices to provide security against reconnection (locks for
actuators of switches and isolators, warning signs)
Equipment to ascertain the absence of voltage (voltage testers)
Equipment for earthing and short-circuiting
Equipment for limiting the work area (portable partitions, ropes, flags,
warning signs)
 summary

Follow safety rules

Always wear safety PPE
Use proper equipment or tool
What do you do if someone gets
hurt at work?

Tell your team leader

Follow the safety rules
Get or offer help
What does working safely mean?

Following the safety rules

Wearing the right protective equipment
Keeping the work area safe
Where would you wear this?
Where would you wear this?
Where would you wear this?
Where would you wear this?
And this?
 4. Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)
4.1 Commencement of work, disconnection
The following `Five Safety Rules' must be observed:

1. Disconnect completely
2. Secure against reconnection
3. Verify de-energized status
4. Carry out earthing and short circuiting procedures
5. Enclose or cover adjacent exposed live parts
1. Disconnect completely
The part of the installation on which work is to be carried out shall be
completely disconnected. (Every possible source shall be switched off).
Neutral conductors in high voltage installations are to be switched off.
Capacitors or inductors without automatic discharge are to be discharged
by using suitable devices.
If the responsible person has not personally completely disconnected, he
shall wait for verbal or written notification of complete disconnection.
Absence of voltage is no proof of complete disconnection.
2. Secure against reconnection
Equipment, e.g. switches, which have been used for complete
disconnection shall be secured against reconnection.
For the duration of the work prohibition signs must be securely
attached to switch handles, actuators, fuse mountings, circuit
breakers etc., which have been used for complete disconnection.
(e.g. `Do not switch', `Work in progress/ place.../sign to be removed
only by...')
Fuses shall be removed and kept secure, power drives shall be
rendered inoperative, switch locking devices shall be used, etc.
3. Verify de-energized status
The absence of voltage must be checked on all poles at the working
point. The absence of voltage shall be checked using suitable test
equipment (voltage testers, etc.)
The voltage test equipment must always be checked for correct
functioning immediately before use.
The absence of voltage may only be established by the responsible
person.
4. Carry out earthing and short circuiting procedures
At the work point, all parts which are to be worked on shall first be
earthed and then short-circuited.
If work is carried out on an interrupted circuit (broken line, etc.) where
voltage (operating voltage, induction voltage) may be present on
both sides, it is necessary to earth and short-circuit on both sides, or
the interruption point shall be bridged in a short circuit proof manner
and earthed and short-circuited on one side.
Earthing and short-circuiting devices shall always be first connected
to the earthing system and then to the equipment to be earthed.
5. Enclose or cover adjacent exposed live parts
Protection against direct contact with exposed live parts adjacent to
the working point is to be ensured by covering or enclosing the
exposed live parts.
The covering shall be sufficiently well secured and reliably attached.
 When protection against contact with exposed live parts adjacent to
the working point cannot be ensured by the use of covers or
enclosures (unless the whole equipment is dead) the responsible
person must ensure that he does not reach the danger zone either
with a part of his body or with an object.
Table 1: Danger zones in relation to rated voltage (Based on VDE 0105)

Rated Voltage Limit of danger zone (Distance in air from

live part)
up to 1000 V The surface of the live part is the limit of the danger zone. Touching
the part is dangerous
over 1 kV up to 6 kV 90 mm Indoor installations
over 6 kV up to 10 kV 115 mm Indoor installations

over 6 kV up to 10 kV 150 mm Outdoor installations

over 10 kV up to 20 kV 215 mm Indoor and Outdoor installations

over 20 kV up to 30 kV 325 mm Indoor and Outdoor installations

over 30 kV up to 45 kV 520 mm Indoor and Outdoor installations

over 45 kV up to 60 kV 700 mm Indoor and Outdoor installations

over 60 kV up to 110 kV 1100 mm Indoor and Outdoor installations

over 110 kV up to 220 kV 2200 mm Indoor and Outdoor installations

over 220 kV up to 380 kV 2900 mm Indoor and Outdoor installations

 After ensuring that all the safety measures are carried out the
electrical personnel in charge must issue, to the head of the work
crew, a 'permit to work (PTW), an authorization to carryout the
work.
4.2 Completion of work

After completion of work, tools, accessories and safety

measures are to be removed from the work point in such a
way that no danger arises.
When the operating condition of the equipment has been
restored, the 'permit to work' must be returned to the issuer
personnel, duly signed by the head of the work crew, before
the equipment may be re-commissioned.
4.3 Operating Electric Power Installations

Isolating Switches, Circuit Breakers etc.

The switchgear must be operated within clearly defined safety

rules
Mechanical and/or electrical interlocks provide a reasonable

degree of safety, but cannot be expected to be entirely "fool

proof" under all circumstances, i.e. they can be defeated by
master keys unauthorized bypassing etc.
 A 'permit to work' is not to be issued until all safety precautions
have been taken (circuit isolated, current carrying parts
earthed, area of work clearly defined by means of rope/red
flags etc., disconnectors and circuit breakers safely locked or
blocked open etc.)
Irrespective of interlocks or other safety devices isolators,
circuit breakers, etc. should be operated along the following
lines:
 A LOG BOOK must be provided, in each station, for recording ALL
OPERATIONS whether manual or automatic. All operations are to
be entered in this book, in a concise form, together with origin of
work order, exact time of performance, name of operator and
the cause or reason of the operation.
Even normal routine operations must not be performed without
instructions from the person in charge.
After receiving any instructions, the operator must proceed in
calm and logical manner, bearing in mind all direct and indirect
involvements of the operation to be performed.
 Operations must be carried out one by one, in a logical
sequence. Never proceed with simultaneous operations. After
completing any operation, check the new condition of the
position indicator of the apparatus and the related discrepancy
switch.
No attempt is to be made to bypass interlocks or to open or
close an 'off-load switch if there is a possibility, however
remote, of breaking or making a current carrying circuit.
 A circuit must never be energised without first ensuring that no
personnel are working on any portion of the circuit, and
checking that the earthing switches are opened and/or all the
temporary earthing links have been removed.
4.4. Operation of Line Earthing Switches

Due to the nature of the risks involved, operation of these

switches must be performed with the utmost care .
The electrician in charge (or operator) must obtain either a written
order or telephone message (all telephone messages must be
confirmed by a check back call) from the operating electrician
concerned.
This order or message should confirm that the other end of the line
is isolated and that all parties involved have been duly informed.
 After entering all details of the message in the log book, the
electrician (or operator) must isolate the line at his end, lock
the line isolator open and place warning instructions on it.
The line must then be earthed and the time of earthing entered
in the log book. Confirmation of the operation is to be given to
all parties concerned.
The line earthing switch must not be opened before all parties
concerned have been duly informed or before an order has
been received from the operating electrician.
 If any work has to be carried out on a line, the line must be
earthed AT BOTH ENDS and a `permit to work' (giving the
nature and location of the work, where the line is earthed,
etc.) will not be issued to the person in charge of
maintenance until all concerned parties have confirmed
that the `permit to work' can be issued.
The person in charge of maintenance must acknowledge receipt of
the `permit to work(PTW)' and sign the log book (signature, date
and exact time). Local earths must be applied to the line, at each
side of the point at which the work is to be carried out.
 Upon completing the planned work the person in charge of
maintenance will sign the 'permit to work' under a clause
stating:
``Above work completed, temporary earthing leads
disconnected, all tools and equipment taken away, men
instructed to consider line live, circuit ready for re-
commissioning''. The signature must be followed by the date
and exact time.
 Upon receiving back the 'permit to work', the electrician
concerned will enter the details of the permit in the logbook,
together with the date and exact time, followed by his signature.
Instructions may now be given, to the parties concerned, to
open the earthing blades and re-commission the lines.
Where the operations performed on switchgear relate to a
circuit linking two stations there must always be precise
instructions given to all the involved parties and confirmation
obtained that such instructions have been carried out.
4.5. Operation of a Circuit Breaker and
Associated Isolators
Warning! When a circuit breaker is opened, the
associated isolating switches must also be opened.
Circuit breakers are designed to safely make, carry and break,
load and system fault currents. Although they provide a
reasonable degree of safety they are not interlocked to
prevent operation and it is also possible that leakage currents
can pass from one pole to the next and should therefore not be
used as a disconnector (with a disconnector any leakage
currents are passed to earth).
 For the above reasons and in order to avoid unnecessary
stresses across circuit breakers under `system out of phase'
conditions, they should not be left open across live circuits
longer than required for routine operations.
Warning! An open circuit breaker must never be
considered as providing sufficient safety when work is
to be carried out on a circuit. A `permit to work' must
never be issued unless the associated disconnectors are
open and secured.
4.6. First Aid
First Aid is the immediate help that is provided at site to an
injured or seriously ill person before further medical help can
be obtained.
First Aid procedures for accidents due to electrical power shall
be displayed in prominent positions.
Sufficient personnel should be trained in first aid to enable
coverage of all working shifts.
All injured persons must be taken as soon as possible to
hospital or treated by a doctor.
4.6.1 First Aid Facilities

First Aid supplies should be kept readily available in a cabinet

designated for those supplies.
A suitable stretcher should be available at the site.
Conveniently located notices should indicate the following:
 Name of person in charge of the First Aid cabinet.
The Emergency Telephone number.
The Hospital to which any injured person is to be taken.
A vehicle should be available to transport serious cases to hospital.
A register should be maintained listing ALL injuries treated.
4.6.2 First Aid Supplies

The first aid cabinet should contain ONLY those items designated for use in first aid. Some useful
items for inclusion in the first aid cabinet are:
First Aid Instructions

Finger dressings

Medium size dressings

Large dressings

Adhesive dressings (assorted sizes)

Triangular bandages (51 x 36 x 36)

Adhesive plaster roll

Cotton wool

Pressure bandages

Safety pins

Scissors
Additional supportive notes

APPENDIX
A. Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) Gas
SF6 gas is:
Non toxic

Non inflammable

Colorless

Odorless

SF6 GAS PRESENTS NO DANGER TO HEALTH

SF6 gas remains chemically stable even when in contact with oxygen.

When, due to the effect of a high temperature arc, the SF6 gas is partially

decomposed into solid and gaseous secondary products, it appears as a dust

deposit. When the dust deposit is exposed to humid air, sulphur dioxide (SO2)
and Hydro-fluor (HF) are (slowly) produced.
 Whether in a pure or decomposed state the SF6 gas is harmless provided
the following elementary precautions are observed when opening SF6 gas
filled modules:
A. The gas filled switchgear modules must be evacuated in a closed cycle. As far as
possible the gas must be pumped into a storage tank by means of a compressor.
B. The module must be then evacuated down to 10 Torr (using a vacuum pump)
the exhaust gas being released to atmosphere via a neutralising filter (1%
concentration of Sodium Hydroxide in water). The filter must be located
outdoors.
C. The module must then be filled with air or nitrogen and item B. repeated.
D. The switchgear module may now be opened.
 Wear protective gloves.
If there is a noticeable dust deposit (decomposition products)
protective goggles and a filter mask must be worn.
Any areas of skin that become contaminated with decomposed
gas products must be rinsed clean with water.
Avoid disturbing dust deposits. Dust deposits should be
removed using a vacuum cleaner with a paper filter. The
vacuum cleaner should preferably be of the cyclic type to
ensure maximum possible dust separation.
 In the event of a major fault involving a high current arc, the
operating room and any lower level rooms must be ventilated
before entering.
Note : SF6 gas, being heavier than air, will collect at the lowest
possible level (cable basement, cable channels etc.) and
displace the air. It is therefore essential that effective
precautions are taken to ventilate these areas before
permitting access.
B. Operation of Electrical Power Installations

The instructions also apply to setting up and modifying power

installations where the installation or individual components
are live, live components can be touched or the components of
the system under construction can become live.
These instructions, which are based on the well-proven
German standard VDE 0105 Part 1 specification, apply to the
operation of power installation. They also apply to the
proximities to power installations during construction work and
other non-electrical work.
C. Terms and Definitions of Installations and
Workshops
C.1 Power installations
Power installations are electrical installations with equipment

for the generation, transformation, storage, extending,

distribution and consumption of electrical energy for the
purpose of work, e.g., in the form of mechanical work, to
generate heat and light or for electro-chemical processes.
C.2 Part of a power installation
Part of a power installation is a single piece of equipment or

several pieces of equipment connected together where it or the

individual piece of equipment is functionally connected to the
power installation.
C.3 Electrical equipment
Electrical equipment is, in short, all items which collectively or

individually serve the purpose of the application of electrical energy.

These include, e.g., items for the generation, extending, distribution,
storage, measurement, transformation and consumption of electrical
energy including the field of telecommunications.
Protective equipment and accessories are considered as electrical

equipment where they are subjected to the requirements of

electrical safety.
C.4 Outdoor installation
Outdoor installation is an electrical installation in the open.
C.5 Indoor installation
Indoor installation is an electrical installation inside a building or in
an enclosure where the equipment is protected against the affects of
the weather.
C.6 Electrical workshop
Electrical workshop is a room or a location used essentially for the
operation of electrical plant and which, as a rule, is not entered by
lay persons. This includes, e.g.
control rooms,
switching stations in separate rooms,
separate electrical test rooms and laboratories,
machinery halls of power stations and similar places where the equipment
is not operated by lay persons.
C.7 Closed electrical workshop
Closed electrical workshop is a room or a location used exclusively for
operation of electrical installations and which is kept locked. Skilled
electrical personnel and trained electrical personnel are allowed entry,
but lay persons may only enter when accompanied by a skilled electrical
person or trained electrical person. This includes, e.g.,
closed switching and distribution installations,
transformer units,
control rooms,
distribution systems within metal housings or in other closed systems, mast
stations.
D. Terms and Definitions of Conductors and Conducting
Parts

D.1 Outer conductors

Outer conductors are conductors which connect power sources with
consumer equipment but which do not originate at a middle or star
point.
D.2 Neutral conductor
Neutral conductor is a conductor which is connected to the middle or
star point and which carries electrical energy. In circuits over 1 kV
this conductor is also termed the star point conductor.
D.3 Protective conductor (PE)
Protective conductor (PE) is a conductor which, for some

protective measures for indirect contact, is used to connect

conducting parts with
other conducting parts,
extraneous conducting parts,
earths, earth conductors and earthed live parts.
D.4 PEN conductor
PEN conductor is a conductor which combines the functions of

a neutral and protective conductor.

D.5 Live parts
Live parts are conductors and conducting parts of equipment

which carry a voltage under normal operating conditions. This

also includes neutral conductors, but not PEN conductors and
those parts electrically connected to them.
E. Terms and Definitions of Protection Against Electric
Shock Hazards

E.1 Protection against direct contact

Protection against direct contact includes all measures which

prevent a person contacting live parts or, for rated voltages

above 1 kV, prevent approach to within dangerous proximity of
these parts (reaching the danger zone). This can mean a
complete or partial protection. Partial protection consists only
of protection against inadvertent contact.
E.2 Protection in the event of indirect contact
Protection in the event of indirect contact is the protection of

personnel from dangers which could arise due to contact with

conducting parts or extraneous conducting parts if a failure
occurs.
E.3 Protective device clearance
Protective device clearance is the clearance between the

protective device and the live parts.

E.4 Danger zone

Danger zone is the area limited by the dimensions in Table 1

against which no complete protection against direct contact
with live parts exists. The danger zone can be narrowed by
suitable protective devices.
For voltages up to 1000V, the surface of the live part is
regarded as the limit of the
Warning! For voltages over 1 kV, reaching the danger
zone is considered the same as touching live parts.
E.6 Complete disconnection
Complete disconnection is the complete switching off or

disconnection of an installation on all sides, or of part of an

installation or equipment from all non-earthed conductors.
 servicing, e.g., lubrication and painting
monitoring, e.g., visual examination, measuring, testing on a regular or
opportunity basis
Repair
replacement of components
checks and test runs
Cleaning chiefly concerns electrical equipment. Cleaning in
electrical workshops and closed electrical workshops also includes
floors, walls, covers and similar items. Modification also includes
extending and reducing electrical installations.
E.5 Working in the vicinity of live parts

Working in the vicinity of live parts includes activities of all

kinds in the course of which a person does not maintain the
safety distances, shown in Table 6, from live parts for which
there is no complete protection against direct contact, either
with parts of the body or objects, without touching live parts or,
for voltages in excess of 1 kV, does not reach the danger zone.
E.5 Safety distance

Safety distance is the shortest distance between live parts

without protection against direct contact and personnel, or
tools, equipment, accessories and materials held by personnel,
which for certain work operations must be maintained as a
minimum Figure. The distances are given in Table 5 and Table 6
in relation to voltage value, activity and personnel zone.
F. Terms and Definitions of Operation
F.1 Operation
Operation of power installations includes control and work.

F.2 Control
Control of electrical equipment means monitoring and

operation (switching, adjusting, controlling). Operation can

also be by automatic devices.
E.5 Working on live parts
Working on live parts covers activities of all kinds during which

a person, either with Parts of the body or tools, touches

conducting or live parts, for which no protection against direct
contact exists, or, for rated voltages in excess of 1 kV, reaches
or penetrates the danger zone. Contact between a person and
live parts can also occur via a liquid, e.g., a water jet.
F. Terms and Definitions of Personnel
F.1 A skilled electrical person
A skilled electrical person is a person who because of his

technical training, knowledge and experience together with

knowledge of relevant standards is qualified to assess work
assigned to him and recognize potential dangers.
F.2 Trained electrical person
Trained electrical person is one who has been instructed by a skilled

electrical person in how to carry out tasks assigned to him, in the

potential dangers of inexpert actions and, if necessary, given on-the-
job training as well as instruction in the necessary protective devices
and safety measures.

F.3 Lay person

Lay person is one who is neither qualified as a skilled electrical

person nor as a trained electrical person.

F4. Work

Work on electrical equipment and in electrical installations

includes the repair (e.g. cleaning, rectification of defects),
modification and commissioning.
Maintenance includes preventive maintenance and the
rectification of defects. This also includes:
G. Use of Personnel - General Requirements

Before starting work the supervisor responsible for the task

shall ensure that the safety regulations are adhered to and
that personnel are made aware of special dangers which are
not immediately apparent to them. Clearance that the work
points are completely disconnected, which is required before
commencing work shall be observed.
 Personnel who are only temporarily employed or employed only
on specific tasks, shall be instructed as to the dangers and
safety regulations for these tasks and warned to proceed with
caution.
If one task is carried out by several persons together, one of
them is to be designated supervisor.
H. Accident Prevention, First Aid and Fire Control

H.1 General
If equipment, posters and accessories are required for accident

prevention, first aid and fire control these shall be made

available in sufficient quantities.
H.2 First aid
A sufficient number of the labour force shall be trained in First
Aid including mouth to mouth resuscitation. This training shall
be repeated at suitable intervals.
H.3 Fire control
For the procedure in event of fire refer to local regulations.

Personnel shall be instructed in the operation of appropriate

fire extinguishers for fire fighting. This instruction shall be

repeated at suitable intervals.
If fire breaks out, dangerous or endangered parts of the

electrical power installation shall be disconnected unless

required to be live for fire fighting or where switching off would
give rise to other dangers.
I. Defect Rectification
If defects, which constitute a danger to personnel or
equipment, are detected at or in power installations, the
personnel working in that area shall immediately take steps to
rectify the defect. If operating conditions do not allow this, the
danger is first of all to be localized, e.g., by sealing off,
identifying and erecting signs. The supervisor or appropriate
authority shall be informed as soon as possible.
J. Passage Ways and Operating Areas
access to switching and distribution installations, switches,
equipment with indicators, to machinery as well as to the area
required for operation, monitoring and servicing shall be kept
free.
K. Storing and Securing Objects
No object shall be stored or secured in dangerous proximity to
unprotected live parts of installations.
No objects shall be hung or attached to cables and conductors,
protective clothing, protective screens, protective strips,
actuating devices, housing of equipment or fire extinguishing
equipment. This does not apply to items forming part of the
actual installation such as identification and safety plates,
protective covers and locking devices, e.g., padlocks.
L. Prevention of Ignition
Highly flammable materials and objects shall be located or
stored at such distances from
heating and resistance equipment, electrical machines,
switching and distribution systems, fuse boards, other
electrical equipment with exposed contact points and
uninsulated conductors laid in an unprotected manner that
they cannot ignite.
M. Insulating Covering and Protection Against
Electrical
Shock Hazard in Installations Over 1 kV

Installations with rated voltages above 1 kV with an insulating

covering are to be considered as uninsulated insulations with
regard to protection against electric shock hazard unless the
conditions of DIN 57 101/VDE 0101 and DIN 57 670 Part 7/ VDE
0670. Part 7 with respect to protection against electric shock
hazard are fulfilled.
Figure 1: Graphic representation of danger zones
and safety distances when working in the vicinity
of live parts
(refer to tables for actual values)
N. Safety Requirements for Accident Prevention and
Fire
Fighting

So far as the accident prevention equipment is to meet

electrical requirements, e.g. dielectric strength or leakage
current, the safety requirements are fulfilled if one of the
conditions in a) to d) applies.
a. The equipment satisfies the relevant valid VDE specifications
b. Existing equipment was manufactured in accordance with VDE
specifications which have meanwhile become invalid
c. Existing equipment was manufactured in accordance with drafts
of VDE Specifications which have not meanwhile been finalised
d. For existing equipment to which the conditions of a) to c) do not
apply, the main operator ensures that the deviations from
current applicable VDE Specifications have no significance with
regard to safety
M. Accident Prevention Equipment
The following are examples of accident prevention equipment,
which may be used separately or in combination.
M.1 Insulating body protection equipment
Insulating protective clothing which prevents dangerous flow

of current from live parts of installations with rated voltages up

to 1000 V to the human body, e.g. gloves, boots and
overshoes, protective overalls, headgear.
 Eye protectors which protect against the effects of arcing are
protective goggles and protective masks. The protective goggles
protect the eyes against the effects of arcing; the protective mask
also protects the face, the ears and the front part of the neck.
M.2 Insulating protective devices
Equipment and devices made of insulating material for covering

live parts, e.g. shaped parts, plates, mats, cloths.

Medium for insulating the location, e.g. insulating mats, insulating

working platforms, insulating floor coverings, insulating walls.

M.3 Insulated tools
Hand tools made of insulating material or tools of conducting

material partially or completely covered by insulating material

with sufficient mechanical and electrical strength, e.g.
spanners, screwdrivers, pliers, knives.
M.4 Operating poles
Switching poles for rated voltages up to 1000 V, switching

poles for rated voltages over 1 kV.

Current discharge poles for rated voltages up to 1000 V for

discharge of current from overhead lines.

M.5 Insulated poles
Insulated poles for rated voltages above 1 kV to take heads

such as test equipment or tools, e.g. mirrors or lopping saws.

These also include, for example, measuring poles and poles for
knocking off hoarfrost deposits.
M.6 Protective devices and equipment for enclosing
Protective devices and equipment for protection against

contact with live parts, e.g. plates, grids, strips, chains, ropes
or poles which are to be positioned at a suitable distance.
M.7 Equipment and devices to provide security against reconnection
Locking and inhibiting devices are locks for actuators of switches and

isolating switches (isolators) or similar items together with prohibition

signs. Insertable insulating plates for manual switches and isolators with
rated voltages up to 1000 V.
M.8 Equipment for establishment of freedom from voltage and for
scanning cables
Two-pole voltage testers for rated voltages up to 1000 V. Single-pole

voltage testers for rated voltages up to 250 V. Voltage testers for rated
voltages above 1 kV. Measuring equipment and measuring devices, shot
firing devices for cables and cable scanning equipment.
M.9 Equipment and devices for earthing and short-
circuiting
Freely guided devices for earthing and short-circuiting. Force-

guided equipment and special devices for earthing and short-

circuiting.
M.10 Equipment for limiting the work area
Portable partitions, insulating plates, enclosures, barrier ropes

and chains, strings of flags, flags, warning crosses and warning

bands.
M.11 Tools and equipment for removal and refitting of
fuses
NH (H.R.C. high rupturing capacity) fuse handles for rated

voltages up to 1000V. Fuse tongs for rated voltages over 1 kV

up to 30 kV.
M.12 Accessories to prevent confusion between switch
panels
Additional, prominent indicators for the duration of the work,

e.g. warning crosses and warning bands.

N. Extinguishing Fires
To combat fires in fire installations, fire extinguishers or fire
extinguishing equipment of a type suitable for the class of fire,
and of a type and size adapted to the installation, shall be kept
ready. If fire breaks out, they shall be readily accessible.
 The requirements that fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing
equipment be of a suitable type shall be observed.
Fire extinguishers, fire extinguishing media and fire
extinguishing equipment shall be maintained ready for use and
shall be inspected at stipulated intervals. Fire extinguishers
shall carry an inspection mark.
 Occupied installations with rated voltages above 1 kV shall
have at least one fire blanket available for extinguishing
burning clothing and this shall be kept in a readily accessible
place.
In extensive installations, additional information should be
provided on the works fire brigade or public fire brigade.
O. Circuit Diagrams
The circuit diagrams shall meet the operating requirements
and shall cover the area which has to be monitored during
operation.
Standardised graphic symbols, in accordance with IEC
specification 617, should be used for circuit diagrams.
O.1 Electrical workshops and in closed electrical workshops

In electrical workshops and in closed electrical workshops, particularly in

switching installations and transformer substations, circuit diagrams of
the installations shall be available.
This can be in the form of an overall circuit diagram in a simplified
single-pole representation of the circuit without ancillary lines.
Depending upon the particular requirement, it shall show the type of
current, voltage, frequency, number and cross-section of conductors,
number, type and output of generators, transformers, rectifiers or
inverters, batteries, capacitors, number, type and value of inputs and
branches. Mimic diagrams or plug boards also constitute a circuit
diagram.
O.2 Power installations with rated voltages up to 1000 V
Circuit diagrams are not necessary for power installations with

rated voltages up to 1000 V provided the circuit can be clearly

seen from the annotations.
O.3 Power installations with rated voltages over 1 kV
In power installations with rated voltages over 1 kV with up to 6

switch panels, circuit diagrams are not required provided the

circuit can be clearly seen from the annotations.
This also applies to single level, easily supervised installations with

a single busbar and up to 12 switch panels.

O.17 Display of Specification and Leaflets
First aid instructions for accidents due to electricity, shall be displayed or

hung up in electrical workshops, even if they are not occupied, and in closed
electrical workshops.
If there are several such rooms in a building, there is no need to provide the

leaflet in each room. It is generally sufficient if the leaflet is kept at one point
in the building, unless there are several completely separate installations.
In local network stations, mast stations, sub stations which cannot be

entered, sub-control rooms and control cabinets, there is no need to display

or hang up the leaflet.
O.18 Safety Signs

To secure against reconnection and to prevent a switch-off which would interrupt an earth path or
short circuit a prohibition sign is to be placed in position with the statement
`Do not switch'
and if necessary the additional statement
Work in progress/place.../sign to be removed only by ...' .
This prohibition sign shall also be used to identify switches and installation which may not be
operated, or where a restricted operation only is permissible.
For control panels, minor control points and similar installations as well as for special purposes,

other equivalent measures may also be taken, e.g. fitting caps.

If signs are to be used to indicate the mandatory observance of the five safety rules, a suitable

sign shall be used for this purpose.

The dimension of the safety signs shall be selected to ensure that they are clearly recognisable

taking account of their particular use.

O.19 Maintenance or Serviceability of Installations and
Equipment

Power installations are to be maintained in a serviceable state

in accordance with regulations.
The maintenance of a serviceable condition does not generally
mean that existing installations have to be constantly adapted
to the requirements of regulations which subsequently come
into force. However, they shall be adapted to the new
regulations if the new Standards expressly require this.
Defects which constitute an immediate danger to personnel or
equipment shall be rectified without delay.
Note: A defect is a condition which adversely effects safety and
can be brought about because the installation is not in a
serviceable condition within the requirements of the
regulations or the Standards do not cover the particular
operating requirements.
 Depending upon the nature of the work, defects are to be
rectified by skilled or trained electrical personnel, or by lay
persons under the supervision of skilled or trained electrical
personnel.
At suitable intervals, the state of power installations, accept
those in dwellings, shall be checked by skilled electrical
personnel, or under control and supervision of skilled electrical
personnel in the case of electrical equipment.
 Where the operating conditions change, e.g. type of workshop
(dry, damp, endangered by fire or explosion), the existing
installation shall be adapted to the requirement of the current
valid regulations.
The condition of the insulation of power installations with rated
voltages up to 1000 V shall be maintained to the requirement
laid down in periodic inspection.
 Protection in event of indirect contact shall be maintained in an
effective state in accordance with the regulations. Alterations
to such things as trigger current and trigger times may only be
carried out by a skilled electrical person after prior checking of
permissibility.
Where it is possible to touch live parts, electrical equipment,
including luminaries, shall be switched off to a voltage-free
condition for cleaning.
 Electrical equipment shall always contain sufficient quantities
of insulating and arc quenching materials and these shall be
replaced at intervals which ensure the safe operation of the
equipment.
Safety devices and protective and monitoring devices required
for safety shall not be rendered inoperative or inadmissibly
adjusted or modified. This does not apply to actions taken
during testing, defect location or during brief switch-over
operations.
O.20 Maintenance of Serviceability of Protective
Equipment and Accessories
Insulated tools, insulating body protection equipment,

insulating protective devices, equipment for actuating, testing

and enclosing, earthing and short circuiting equipment as well
as other accessories shall be maintained in a serviceable
condition. Before use, the user shall check for obvious damage.
Damaged items shall not be used unless they can clearly be
used without danger.
 Insulating body protection equipment and other accessories which
must have insulating properties to perform their function shall be
kept dry.
Insulated tools shall be kept separate from other tools.
At suitable intervals and after every repair, the dielectric strength
of insulating protective clothing shall be tested. Damage to
insulating protective clothing may only be repaired specialist
workshops.
Gloves shall not be repaired. Damaged gloves shall invariably be
discarded.
 If exposed to damaging materials, e.g. oils, greases, acids, all
accessories shall be cleaned using a suitable cleaning agent.
The necessary Instructions for Use shall be available for accident
prevention equipment.
Safety signs, notices and posters shall be clearly legible,
prominently positioned and maintained in a serviceable condition.
Obsolete safety signs, notices, posters and designations shall be
removed.
Circuit diagrams shall be amended without delay to show
modifications to installations.
P. Periodic Servicing
The purpose of periodic servicing is to discover defects which
can occur after an electrical installation or electrical
equipment have been commissioned or after a repair or
modification.
Note that it is a prerequisite of periodic servicing that
installations as well as fixed and moveable equipment met the
requirements of the relevant Specifications after erection
and/or manufacture and that the intended tests were carried
out before the initial commissioning.
P.1 General

To establish the serviceability of electrical installations and

equipment they are to be periodically serviced. Such servicing
may comprise visual examination, checking or measuring.
Servicing shall be carried out using suitable material. No
dangers of accident, fire or explosion shall arise during
servicing.
During servicing it shall be ascertained whether the existing
electrical installations have been adapted as required in
regulations.
P.2 Required extent

Depending upon individual requirements and operating conditions, the

extent of servicing may be confined to random checks and also limited
with regard to location (parts of installation) and also to extent of
servicing operations, provided it is still possible to assess the
serviceability.
If, in particular cases, measurement cannot be taken in or at electrical
installations without incurring unacceptable economic or technical
expenditure, e.g. where there are extended earthing systems, large
conductor cross-sections or intermeshed networks, other methods, e.g.
calculations or use of network models shall be used to prove that the
required values are maintained.
P.3 Visual examination

Examine electrical installations and equipment for externally

visible damage and defects.
Carry out a visual examination to establish whether electrical
installations and equipment withstand the external influences
at the location where they are used and still meet the
additional requirements of the regulations for workshops and
rooms as well as for special installations.
 Carry out a visual examination to establish whether protection
against direct contact to live parts of electrical equipment is
still present.
Carry out a visual examination to establish whether the
protective measures in event of indirect contact still meet the
requirements of the regulations.
a) For protective measures with a protective conductor ensure
that:
protective conductors, earthing conductors and equipotential
bonding conductors have the minimum required cross section,
protective conductors, earthing conductors and equipotential
bonding conductors are correctly routed and still securely attached,
protective conductors and protective conductor terminals are still
marked in accordance with the regulations,
 protective conductors are not connected to live parts,
protective conductors and neutral conductors have not been
interchanged,
for protective conductors and neutral conductors in switching
installations and distributors, the requirement regarding
identification and terminal points are maintained,
the protective contacts of connectors can be effective,
 in protective conductors there are no excess current protective
devices or switches,
in PEN conductors no excess current protective devices are present
and PEN conductors cannot be switched on their own,
protective devices, e.g. FI (Differential current earth leakage
protection), circuit breakers, insulation monitoring devices, excess
voltage dissipation devices, are still present as selected to the
requirements of the regulations.
b. For protective measures without protective conductors ensure
that:
for protective low voltage and protective isolation, the current
sources, conductors and other equipment are still present as
selected to the requirements of the regulations
connectors fitted for protective low voltage are not used for other
voltages,
where there is a mandatory laid down protective isolation, only one
item of consumer equipment can be connected,
 for protective isolation with more than one item of consumer
equipment, the equipotential bonding conductor is not earthed,
the protective insulation is not rendered ineffective by conducting
parts or by damage,
the insulation of the location still meets the requirements of the
regulations.
Carry out a visual examination to check that the overload protective
devices are still correctly allocated to relevant conductor cross
sections.
 Carry out a visual examination to check that the overvoltage and
overload protective devices required for operation are still present
and correctly adjusted.
Carry out a visual examination to check that the required circuit
diagrams, circuit annotations and instructions for use or operation
are still present and applicable.
Carry out a visual examination to ensure that equipment for accident
prevention and fire fighting, e.g. protective devices, accessories and
safety signs are complete, of the correct size and type and show no
signs of damage or defects.
Q. Checking

Check the insulation monitoring equipment, e.g. in non-earthed

auxiliary circuits, in the IT system (protective conductor
system), as well as the FI (differential current protection) and
FU (differential voltage protection) circuit breakers by operation
of the test devices.
Check the effectiveness of protective devices, e.g. protective
relays, emergency off devices and locks.
 Check the effectiveness of safety circuits.
Check the right hand rotation field for 3-phase wall and
connector sockets. When doing so view the sockets from the
front in a clockwise direction.
Check the necessary signaling and indicating devices for
correct functioning, e.g. signaling of switch setting indications
to remote switch boards and indicating lamps.
Q.1 Testing

Carry out testing using approved equipment

Take readings to find the values which enable the protective
measures in the event of indirect contact to be assessed.
For equipment of Protection Class 1 (with protective
conductor), connected via connectors, and also for extension
leads, test the protective conductor for continuity and correct
connection.
Note: The correct value for continuity may be regarded as 1
Ohm.
 Measure the insulation resistance in installations with rated voltages up
to 1000 V.
a) For tests in accordance with the following points b) to d) it is generally

sufficient to measure the insulation resistance between:

the outer conductor and PEN conductor or
the outer conductor and neutral conductor as well as between the neutral
conductor and earth separated for the purposes of the test. Measuring the
insulation resistance of outer conductors against each other is necessary only
when there is no earthed conductor in the conductors to be tested and no
earthed sheathing. This dispensation does not apply to electrical workshops
where there is a fire hazard. This test may be omitted for switch wiring in
lighting circuits.
b) For consumer equipment which is connected up and switched
on:
In this case the insulation resistance of the connected current
path behind the overload protective device including it or the
consumer equipment shall be at least 300 Ohm/V rated
voltage. (refer also to d)). If the reading is less than the laid
down value, the test shall be repeated with the consumer
equipment disconnected (refer to c)).
c. Without consumer equipment connected or switched on: In
this case the insulation resistance between the overload
protective devices, between switches or after the final
overload protective device shall be at least 1000 Ohm/V rated
voltage, i. e. the fault current of each of these sections at
rated voltage shall not exceed 1 mA for each conductor
(however, see d)).
d) For outside installations or in rooms or areas where the floors,
walls and installations are sprayed for cleaning purposes the
insulation resistance:
for connected and switched-on consumer equipment shall be at least
150 Ohm/V rated voltage,
without consumer equipment connected or switched-on shall be at
least 500 Ohm/V rated voltage,
e) In deviation from b) the insulation resistance in the IT system
(protective conductor system) shall be at least 50 Ohm/V rated
voltage.
f) For wiper conductors or wiper rings which have to be operated under
unfavourable environmental conditions, e.g. outside cranes, coking
plants, foundries and sintering plants, the values stipulated in c) to e)
need not be maintained provided other measures, e.g. earthing of
non-live attaching parts of the wiper conductor or ensuring that
combustible materials are kept clear of wiper conductors, are taken to
ensure that the leakage current does not cause dangerous shock
voltages or fires
g) The insulation resistance values are to be measured using DC
The test voltage, with a load of 1 mA on the test set, shall be
at least equal to the rated voltage of the installation. For
circuits operated by protective low voltage, an insulation
tester with a rated voltage of at least 250 V shall be used to
measure the insulation resistance.
Q.2 Other tests

Check whether the existing installations and equipment still

withstand any increased thermal or dynamic stresses due to
the short circuit current following modifications in the
conductor network or in the installation.
In installations with rated voltages over 1 kV, check that the
requirements, established in the planning of the installation, for
the earthing voltage and/or contact voltage, e.g. earth fault
current in accordance with DIN 57 141/ VDE 0141 are still
maintained.
 Carry out a visual examination at some stations and certain
selected masts of a network, to check the conditions of
earthing systems.
Note that for this examination a periodicity of approximately 5
years is suitable. It is generally sufficient to carry out this
examination by excavation at individual positions.
Other or additional periodic servicing can be specified in
`additional requirements or `special requirements to the
VDE Standard or may derive from the regulations.
 For electrical equipment of Protection Class 1 (with protective
conductors) and Protection Class II (protective insulation)
connected via connectors, measure the insulation resistance of
the equipment circuit against touchable metal parts.
The insulation resistance is satisfactory when it is at least 1000
Ohm/V rated voltage for equipment of Protection Class I and at
least 2 M Ohm for equipment of Protection Class II.
Q.3 Examination and test of protective clothing
Insulated protective clothing shall be examined and tested as

follows:
a) Visual examination
The relevant items shall be examined for any signs of external
damage.
b) Electrical voltage test
Reduced test voltage of 1.5 kV for protective overalls and 2.5 kV for
footwear and gloves.
The test is considered to have been satisfactory if the protective
overalls and footwear showed no breakthrough over a period of 1
minute and the gloves showed no breakthrough over a period of 30
seconds.
 Items of clothing which show a voltage breakthrough when
tested shall not be reused. To monitor the test periodicity, the
test position and the time of the test (month and year) shall in
each case be marked on the tested items of protective
clothing.
This marking shall be durably made on the square allocated for
that purpose.
R. Operation of Power Installations - Accessories

To operate power installations without danger, the necessary

accessories shall be used.
S. Operation of Power Installations - Access
For rated voltages in excess of 1 kV, closed electrical

workshops may only be entered provided at least partial

protection against direct contact is ensured.
T. Installations and Switches Which May Not be Operated
or May Only be Operated in a Limited Manner
Installations or parts of installations which may not be operated

shall be switched off and as a minimum requirement be

protected against switch-on by a prohibition sign at the positions
where the installation can be brought into operation. In addition,
the means for actuating or control of remotely controlled
switches shall be rendered inoperative.
Switches which do not meet the requirements at the installation

point without restriction shall be marked and their operation

suitably restricted, e.g. by de-activating relays, locking switches
etc.
U. Protection Against Arcing

When switching isolation switches (disconnectors) at the

installation point in indoor installations, whose construction
does not protect personnel against the dangerous effects of
short circuit arcs and which are not locked against incorrect
switching, the following apply:
a. Only those persons involved with the switching operation shall
be present.
b. At rated voltages above 1 kV where there is a risk of confusion, the
individual switching operations shall be indicated by inscriptions on the
switchboards showing which switches are to be operated before the
switching operations are carried out. Exceptions to this are switching
operations for avoiding and rectifying faults and those carried out on
individual orders from a higher authority where each switching operation is
reported back or when such operations are supervised by a second person
also authorised to carry them out.
Note: A danger of confusion may exist, e.g. where switching operations take
place in installations with more than one busbar, with isolators connecting
busbars, and in installations covering several floors which are difficult to
supervise.
V. Procedure in Event of Short-Circuits to Earth

If a short circuit to earth which is not immediately,

automatically switched off, occurs in a power installation with a
rated voltage above 1 kV, measures shall immediately be taken
to locate the point of the earth short circuit. If it is not possible
to switch off after locating the position of the earth short
circuit, immediate danger to personnel shall be prevented by
e.g. erecting barriers around the earth short circuit point.
W. Use of Electrical Equipment

When using electrical equipment, e.g. moveable equipment,

leads and connectors, it must be ensured that they satisfy local
and operating requirements.
Note: Serious damage can in particular occur to moveable leads
and connectors due to severe mechanical stresses such as
jamming, impact, blows, being run over by heavy vehicles and
appliances. Excessive pulling when moving the equipment can
loosen, or detach, the terminals. Leads can also be damaged
by oil, acid, heat, cold and the like.
 Electrical equipment, particularly heating equipment shall be set up and
operated in such a way that it cannot cause a fire.
Extension leads with protective contact connectors and protective conductors
only shall be used.
Prior to use, moveable connecting leads
of moveable equipment
of equipment whose nature and normal use involves holding or moving by hand when

live
of fixed equipment if moveable connecting leads are subject to special stresses

and extension leads

shall be visually examined for signs of damage.

 Damaged electrical equipment shall not be used until repaired,
unless further use clearly involves no dangers. Equipment
which has been temporarily repaired may only be used for a
short time if there are compelling reasons to justify this, e.g.
maintaining important operating functions, in which case
permanent repairs shall be carried out without delay.
 Earthing and short circuiting equipment shall only be used in
installations where they can withstand the short circuit currents.
For accident prevention equipment, the inscriptions, markings and
instructions for use shall be observed.
If for protective isolation due to special dangers presented by a
metallic conducting location the regulations require the conducting
housing of the equipment to be connected to the location by a
special conductor for equipotential bonding, the equipment may
only be operated when this connection has been made and visibly
routed outside the power lead.
Y. Replacement of Fuses

Warning! Repaired or bridged fuses shall not be used

Y.1 Removal or insertion of fuses for rated voltages up to
1000 V.
If there is no protection against direct contact when removing or

fitting fuses and removing removable circuit breakers without

tools, these may only be removed or fitted by skilled or trained
electrical personnel
Fuses may be removed or refitted if

a) circuits are completely disconnected, or

b) for equipment without load isolators, before replacement of
the related fuses
it is shown by measurement that one of the switching devices ( in
case of contactors also includes related auxiliary contactor) is
switched off, or
the separation of the contacts can be confirmed by visual
examination, or
the inadvertent switching on of a switching device after the fuses
during the fitting of the fuse is prevented, e.g. by removal of control
fuses or observation of the switched state of auxiliary contactors
 NH (H.R.C. high rupturing capacity) fuses may only be removed
or fitted using NH fuse detachable handles in cases where
safety isolators, slide-in modules or similar items are not used.
Live fuses may only be replaced when this can be
accomplished without danger. This can, for example, be
accomplished without danger under the following conditions:
In circuits with low power such as auxiliary circuits
 In circuits with high power such as motors, capacitors, heating
circuits by use of equipment such as load isolator facilities, e.g.
safety load isolators but not however, multi-pole safety isolators.
For fuses of DO and D systems within the conditions of the Table in
Paragraph 3.37
For fuses of NH (H.R.C. high rupturing capacity) systems, provided
accessories in accordance with Paragraph 3.14 are employed and
these are used by specially trained, trained electrical personnel or
skilled electrical personnel.
Z. Removal or fitment of fuses for rated voltages above 1 kV.

For removal of fitment of fuses with rated voltages above 1 kV a

voltage-free state in accordance with Paragraph 4.31 shall be
established and ensured.
Live fuses may be removed or fitted using fuse tongs or similar to-

type isolating accessories provided this can be accomplished

without danger. This applies also to installations with fused
assemblies which can be hinged out or moved clear.
Note: Fuse assemblies are in this case still regarded as live even
when completely disconnected if their mountings are not earthed
and short-circuited.