Electricity + Control June 2017

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR ELECTRICAL PROTECTION + SAF TY

APG – Arc Protective Glove APHO – Arc Fault Protective Hood IEC

• Electrotechnical work is carried out all over theworld on a daily basis. • Arc faults can be caused by technical defects, maloperations or foreign objects. • If arc faults occur, workers are exposed to tempera- tures of more than 10 000ºC and will suffer severe burns unless protected by arc fault tested personal protective equipment and clothing.

– International Electrotechnical Commission

Abbreviations/Acronyms

take note

different installations – during operation and without disconnecting the installation. If used during live working, operational interruptions are avoided and the value of the installation is maintained.

Öko-Tex-Standard, independent test and certification system for textile products. • Face shield: ECS, independent test institute specialised in con- formity assessment of eye protectors. • Gloves: STFI, Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitute e.V., accred- ited test institute of the textile industry What is the best way to choose arc-fault- resistant protective clothing? The hand and forearm region is particularly at risk of being burnt by arc faults whilst working on electrical installations. APG protective gloves provide reliable protection in the event of an arc fault. They comply with applicable laws and regu- lations and have been extensively tested using the box test method. The protective clothing protects workers from burns that are caused by arc faults. The combination of breath- able leather and neoprene ensures protection as per IEC 61482-1-2 (class 2) [1] and is highly comfortable to wear. The flame-retardant lining and reflective strips ensure maximum protection. All materials such as zip and hook-and-loop fasteners are alsomade of flame-retard- ant material and the flapped side pockets round off the appearance. Moreover, the suit is available in six sizes and the coat is available in three double sizes to ensure different body builds are accommodated. Accident statistics show the face region is most likely to be se- verely burnt, which is the reason for safety helmet having an arc-fault- resistant face shield. The company’s safety helmet shield protects workers from second-degree skin burns, flying debris and splashes. The visor is extremely robust, scratch-proof and does not mist during work. It has also launched the new Arc fault Protective Hood (APHO) that provides all-round protection for the face, head and neck area. The APHO provides frontal protection (against frontal incident en- ergy), secondary protection (against reflected energy from the side or back) and protection against any flying debris during an arc fault. Arc-fault-resistant protective clothing accessories include: • A chin strap for safety helmets • A sweatband replacement part for ESH 1000 safety helmet for electricians • A visor holder with a clip for arc-fault-tested face shields • A storage bag for safety helmet, face shield and protective gloves • A storage backpack for the complete protective equipment Mobile arc fault protection In addition to its protective clothing, the company’s mobile arc fault protection system is the only system that can reliably protect workers from arc faults. It is cost-effective and can be installed within a few minutes. Since the protection system is not permanently fixed in the installation, it is flexible enough to use repeatedly for live working on

Functional principle The mobile arc fault protection system detects arcing with an optical sensor system. Upon arc fault detection, the system immediately causes a short-circuit which trips the upstreamovercurrent protective devices and puts the installation into a safe state, thus considerably reducing the incident energy. The protection system significantly limits the effects of the arc and reduces the risk for the worker. Its technical reliability of meets the most strin- gent requirements. Mode of operation After the sensors and all other mobile components have been firmly mounted and interconnected via the control lines, all components are tested by an internal routine. This ensures that live working is as safe as possible concerning the risks of an arc fault. The sensors are aligned in such a way that a single sensor can detect an arc fault in the entire installation. Moreover, since the mobile arc fault protection system is used for open switch racks in closed rooms − false tripping by extraneous light such as a flashlight of a digital camera is excluded. The system cannot be tripped, even in the scenario of pulling a fuse under load. Conclusion The last two decades have seen tremendous progress being made in protecting workers against the heat energy associated with arc flash, with major improvements being made both in terms of safer cloth- ing and from the perspective of protection systems. This company is proud to have played a role in manufacturing safety equipment and devices that are in compliance with applicable standards. Reference [1a] IEC 61482-1. Protective Clothing against thermal arc hazards of an electric Arc: Open arc test method. [1b] IEC 61482-2. Protective Clothing against Thermal Arc Hazards of an Electric Arc: Box test method.

Alexis Barwise was appointed as the managing director of DEHN AFRICA in 2013. Prior to spearheading the new operation, he filled numerous roles at Schneider Electric. Throughout his career, Alexis has gained in-depth knowledge as an electrical design engineer, systems engineer and project manager in the engineering, procure- ment and construction fields across several different industries. He also serves as an active member on several SABS working groups and holds a Bachelors Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from North-West University. Enquiries: Email alexis.barwise@dehn-africa.com

June ‘17 Electricity+Control

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