PPE and Safety checklist for switching
PPE and Safety checklist for switching
(OP)
Just to compare with others, what are the typical worker safety requirements, checklist and precautions required for you when opening/closing HV and EHV group operated isolators? Is it realistic to anticipate such an incident like this at 2:30? Would PPE even help?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DsJTDLHiIQ
There is a lot of debate regarding what precautions to take when performing routine maintenance switching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DsJTDLHiIQ
There is a lot of debate regarding what precautions to take when performing routine maintenance switching.






RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
" We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don't know." -- W. H. Auden
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
I don't know of any PPE that will completely protect against switch gear disintegration like what happened in the video.
-JFPE
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
The NFPA also describes a list of PPE to some activities in systems without arc flash studies.
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
It is important to define that the method proposed by NFPA 70E refers to the IEEE 1584, where only are valid to the calculation the triphasic faults.
Usually, when we make these studies, are considered switchgears, points in the open air, like power transformers and cables. The short-circuit study is used as base to the results in every busbar of the system and the operator approximation to the faulted point.
Zones of risks are usually resulted from these studies, assuming that nearest the operator is from the fault point higher is the ATPV level.
A good study takes into account several points of risk, always being conservative.
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
Here in the USA, utilities follow the arc flash regulations in OSHA 1910.269, not NFPA 70E
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
The scope of the NFPA 70E (2018) excludes "Installations under the exclusive control of an electric utility". In the video, it is not very clear the application of the installation.
The classification purposed for the PPE can be used as reference, since it uses conservative results by the Ralph Lee method, mainly in the absence of local regulations.
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
RE: PPE and Safety checklist for switching
As pointed out above, substations are kept free of vegetation. They are also covered with high resistivity crushed rock, and workers stand on conductive platforms bonded to the switch handle when switching. Looks like the worker in the video wisely put on dielectric boots prior to switching, but they might want to consider mowing before the vegetation reaches up past their boots.