The 5 safety rules for handling electricity
The five safety rules for handling electricity are of crucial importance.
Electrical energy is an extremely useful but also dangerous form of energy that poses significant risks when handled improperly.
For this reason, specific safety rules and precautions have been developed to minimize the risk of electrical accidents and hazards. These safety rules are essential for protecting people who work with electrical energy professionally or privately, as well as those who are in the vicinity of electrical installations and equipment.
1. SWITCH OFF!
Beware of residual voltages; do not work while the power is on!
2. SECURE AGAINST RE-ENERGIZATION!
Remove fuses and install warning signs!
3. CHECK FOR VOLTAGE-FREE STATE!
Test the voltage tester for its functionality (3-point testing)!
4. DISCHARGE, GROUND, AND SHORT-CIRCUIT!
Use appropriate short-circuiting devices - strictly follow the order!
5. PROTECT, COVER, AND ISOLATE ADJACENT LIVE PARTS.
Cover adjacent live parts with suitable insulating materials such as insulating mats!
1. Switch Off
Prior to any work, the system must be switched off since working on parts that are live is prohibited. Switching off means disconnecting the power supply to the system. Various measures can be taken to achieve this:
- Turn off the circuit breaker.
- Unscrew fuses.
- Remove NH fuses.
- Turn off residual current circuit breakers.
- Turn off motor protective switches.
- Turn off the main switch.
- For electrical devices with plugs, unplug the plug.
- ...
It is important to note that it is not sufficient, for example, to only turn off the light switch when installing a lamp. Instead, the entire circuit must be switched off. Contactors or relays must not be used for switching off.
Exceptions:
- For measuring and testing (only by qualified personnel).
- When there is a danger to human life.
- Specifically ordered work on live equipment (special VDE regulations apply here).
2. Secure Against Re-energization
To ensure that the system remains switched off during work and that no one accidentally turns it back on, appropriate safety measures must be taken.
- Circuit breakers can be covered with a special adhesive foil stating "Do not switch on - danger." Alternatively, simple adhesive tape with a warning note can be used.
- Many circuit breakers can be secured against re-energization using a suitable locking device.
- Fuses can be put in a pocket. It is also possible to use a blind plug. This method can also be applied to NH fuses.
- Machine main switches can be locked with a padlock.
- Plug connections should be protected against accidental plugging.
- Additionally, a warning sign should be placed throughout the entire duration of the work.
3. Check for Voltage-free State
At the workplace, it must be determined whether there is no voltage present by using a two-pole voltage tester (phase testers are not suitable). Before using the voltage tester, its functionality should be tested.
The voltage-free state must be verified for all poles, meaning that all phase conductors must be measured against "zero" (neutral conductor) or earth (N/PE).
4. Discharge, Ground, and Short-circuit
Grounding and short-circuiting are mandatory only for systems with a rated voltage greater than 1kV. An exception applies to overhead lines, which must also be grounded and short-circuited at voltages below 1kV.
It is important to ground first and then short-circuit the active parts, and this connection must be visible from the workplace. When lines are separated, grounding and short-circuiting must be performed at both ends.
Special devices and tools are available for grounding and short-circuiting (for systems over 1kV, a single-pole voltage tester is used, which must be tested as described above).
The purpose of grounding and short-circuiting is to prevent parallel sections of de-energized conductors from becoming charged, which can occur, for example, in overhead lines. Additionally, in a grounded and short-circuited system, the upstream fuse would immediately respond to accidental re-energization (Caution: there is a risk of arc formation).
Discharging, grounding, and short-circuiting are also strongly recommended when working with capacitors. In most cases, capacitors can be discharged using a voltage tester to avoid arcing (sparks).
5. Protect, Cover, and Isolate Adjacent Live Parts
If parts of the system near the workplace cannot be switched off, the adjacent live parts must be covered or isolated for the duration of the work to ensure a safe working area.
For systems under 1kV, insulating cloths, hoses, and fittings are sufficient to cover the adjacent live parts. It is essential that these materials are sufficiently insulating to prevent contact with the live parts.
Additional measures are required for systems over 1kV. In addition to insulating materials such as cloths, barrier boards, ropes, and warning signs should be used to cordon off and mark the area around the live parts. This prevents unauthorized persons from entering the area and potentially being exposed to risks.
These protective measures are designed to ensure the safety of workers and minimize the risk of accidental contact with live parts. It is important to observe the specific occupational safety regulations and local requirements to take the appropriate protective measures.
Elektrosicherheit: Richtlinien und Vorsichtsmaßnahmen für einfache elektrotechnische Arbeiten
Die Sicherheit hat oberste Priorität.
- Alle hier bereitgestellten Anleitungen und Informationen dienen rein informativen Zwecken und sollen ausschließlich zur Informationsbeschaffung und Weiterbildung verwendet werden. Sie sollten nicht als Ersatz für professionelle Beratung angesehen werden. Bei Zweifeln empfiehlt es sich, einen qualifizierten Elektriker hinzuzuziehen, um fachkundige Unterstützung zu erhalten.
- Es ist wichtig, die örtlichen Vorschriften und Bestimmungen bei elektrischen Arbeiten zu beachten. Arbeiten mit Strom sollten nur von qualifizierten Fachleuten durchgeführt werden, da sie lebensgefährlich sein können.
- Fehler in Anleitungen und Schaltbildern sind möglich. Der Anbieter übernimmt keine Gewähr oder Haftung für Schäden oder Verletzungen, die aus der Umsetzung der bereitgestellten Informationen resultieren könnten. Es liegt in Ihrer Verantwortung, die Richtigkeit der Informationen zu überprüfen und die erforderlichen Sicherheitsvorkehrungen zu treffen.
- Die Verwendung geeigneter persönlicher Schutzausrüstung (PSA) ist entscheidend, um die Sicherheit bei elektrotechnischen Arbeiten zu gewährleisten. PSA schützt vor Stromschlägen, Augenverletzungen, thermischen und mechanischen Gefahren. Es ist jedoch wichtig zu beachten, dass PSA allein nicht ausreicht und durch Fachwissen, Fähigkeiten und die Einhaltung von Sicherheitsvorschriften ergänzt werden muss.
- Arbeiten an Teilen, die unter Spannung stehen, sind strengstens untersagt. Vor Beginn der Arbeiten müssen geeignete Sicherheitsvorkehrungen getroffen werden, einschließlich des Freischaltens der Anlage.
- Bei Schäden durch mangelhafte Elektroinstallation haftet der Errichter der Anlage gemäß den geltenden gesetzlichen Bestimmungen.
- Diese Zusammenfassung von Richtlinien und Vorsichtsmaßnahmen ist nicht umfassend. Bei Unsicherheiten ist es ratsam, einen qualifizierten Elektriker zu konsultieren oder sich an örtliche Vorschriften und Bestimmungen zu halten, um maximale Sicherheit zu gewährleisten.
- Die ordnungsgemäße Installation und Wartung von elektrischen Anlagen und Geräten ist von großer Bedeutung, um mögliche Gefahren zu minimieren und ein sicheres Umfeld zu schaffen.