Work with electricity is considered, of course, one of the most traumatic in the workplace. An electric shock can lead, among other things, to the death of a plant employee or, for example, utilities. To carry out such work should, of course, using all kinds of dielectric devices.
Varieties of remedies
The following types of personal protection can be used in production during electrical work:
rubber bots;
galoshes;
boots;
- floor mats.
And, of course, to carry out various kinds of manipulations in the event that there is a risk of electric shock, it is also necessary with the use of dielectric gloves (according to GOST or imported).
Almost all modern personal protective equipment against current from rubber is manufactured. At the same time, special materials of this type are used in the manufacture of rugs, bots and gloves, which are characterized by increased electric strength. Also, with the release of such products, latex and silicone can be used. In any case, such devices should be made, of course, in accordance with GOST standards.
What are gloves?
The main device capable of preventing electric shock during any work is, of course, namely dielectric gloves. Such products are considered the main means of protection if the voltage does not exceed 1000 volts. If this figure is higher on the net, gloves are an additional protective measure.
In any case, working with an electrician without gloves is strictly prohibited. In addition, such products are supposed to be checked periodically for integrity.
Rubber for the manufacture of such personal protective equipment is selected taking into account the requirements of GOST. Dielectric gloves, of course, should be as reliable as possible. In most cases, electrician gloves do not have seams. That is, products of this type cannot disperse at the most inopportune moment.
Sometimes a seam on such gloves is still available. But he is in the products of this type without fail behind the sheet rubber. Only latex dielectric gloves according to GOST cannot have a seam. Compared to rubber, this material in terms of tears and punctures cannot be considered too reliable.
Of course, dielectric protection must be, among other things, as strong as possible. For example, according to GOST, latex gloves are dielectric, since they are not considered too reliable, can not be used to work with networks under high voltage. In this case, you should choose durable rubber.
In addition to rubber and latex, manufacturers, as already mentioned, sometimes use silicone to make personal protective equipment. Gloves of this kind are even more durable than rubber, and do not conduct current at all. Therefore, products of this type are usually used for work in networks with very high voltage.
In the form of a glove, an electrician resembles ordinary rubber gloves with five fingers. Electricians usually call them dielectric mittens. Sometimes in the production of various kinds of work, dielectric gloves with two or three fingers can be used.
In any case, domestic products of this type are labeled as “Ev” or “En” during production. Any other rubber gloves made in Russia cannot be considered dielectric. That is, it is impossible to use simple rubber accessories not marked accordingly, where current protection is needed.
How to choose the right
Working with dielectric gloves should be convenient and safe in the first place. Therefore, such an accessory must also be selected correctly. Dielectric gloves manufactured by modern industry can have a variety of sizes. For example, a consumer can easily purchase PER 001 dielectric seamless gloves, size 2 to 1 kV, in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Chelyabinsk or any other.
The length of such protective equipment, according to the standards, can not be less than 35 cm. In any case, such products are usually chosen taking into account the fact that warm gloves or mittens will be worn over them. It is believed that protective equipment of this type should completely fit the palm, but at the same time sit quite freely. The width of the dielectric gloves is selected so that they subsequently easily come on the sleeves.
When buying gloves, among other things, you should look at the technical data sheet that comes with them. This document indicates all product parameters and specifications. For various works related to electricity, in enterprises, in everyday life and in public utilities, gloves designed for this particular case should be used.
Marking
As already mentioned, manufacturers mark gloves in a special way - “Ev” or “En”. At the same time, products marked with “Ev” can be used as additional protection in installations with voltages of more than 1000 V. Electric equipment is used by enterprises to carry out “En” gloves for work on equipment with voltages of less than 1000 V. as the main means of protection.
What else is worth paying attention to
When buying dielectric gloves, among other things, you need to look at their wrong side. Only two-layer products of this type are allowed to be used in working with electric current. In this case, the layers of gloves must necessarily differ in color. The following items should be disclosed in the list of each batch of such remedies:
Rubber thickness
At the moment, there are three main varieties of domestic dielectric gloves on the market according to GOST:
for delicate work;
ordinary;
for rough work.
According to the regulations, the wall thickness of gloves intended for rough work should not be more than 0.9 cm, for thin - 0.4 cm. The minimum length of such protective equipment, as already mentioned, is 35 cm.
Also on the market there are more modern gloves, the purpose of which can be determined by their class. Thus, products from both foreign and domestic manufacturers can be classified.
What documents govern production
Most manufacturers are guided by the manufacture of dielectric gloves GOST 12.4.183-91 "Materials for the protection of hands". Technical requirements". According to this document, for example, gloves for electricians should be made exclusively from natural rubber.
GOST does not regulate only the production of gloves with a seam. In the manufacture of such products at enterprises are guided by the provisions of TU 38305-05-257-89. Such products are made from pieces of sheet rubber by punching.
Such products are classified according to GOST 12.4.103-83. Dielectric gloves, according to this document, are reusable products.
In the manufacture of protective equipment, other rules and regulations must be observed. For example, according to GOST 12.4.252-2013, dielectric gloves should allow easy manipulation of the fingers. The degree of freedom of movement of the latter is determined by a special table.
Of course, not only dielectric gloves are made in compliance with certain standards. GOST 13385-78 regulates, for example, the manufacture of shoes for electricians. In compliance with the standards provided in this document, bots, galoshes and boots are made.
Thus, according to GOST, shoes for electricians are made, as well as rubber, silicone, and dielectric seamless latex gloves. GOST 4997-75 is another document governing the production of protective equipment. According to the regulations, rubber and silicone mats are made from this document.
Dielectric Glove Classes
Depending on the voltage level, all dielectric gloves used today in production are divided into the following classes:
Class 00 - the thinnest and weakest dielectric latex seamless gloves. According to GOST, they can be used only on installations of not too high power. Most often, such gloves are used in the repair of household appliances.
Class 0 products are operated on relatively weak production lines and mechanisms. Seamless dielectric gloves up to 1 kV are allowed to be worn for more serious work, for example, on medium-power machines.
Class 2 protective equipment is currently the most popular in enterprises. Usually these are seamless dielectric gloves made in accordance with GOST from silicone. With the use of protective equipment of class 2, they repair powerful machine tools, automotive equipment, etc.
The remaining classes of gloves are used to protect against high-power loads. Such products already belong to special accessories. They repair with the use of high-class gloves, for example, industrial electricians, powerful machine tools, etc.
Features of use
Thus, the dielectric gloves GOST 12.4.103-83, 12.4.183-91, etc. must necessarily comply. Also, before starting work, such products must be checked for damage. Even a small and inconspicuous puncture can cost a subsequent electrician life. Finding minor damage will not be difficult by simply twisting the gloves around your fingers so that the rubber stretches. Punctures and large cracks will immediately become clearly visible. In addition, gloves can be filled with air.
Also, before starting work, make sure that there is no trace of dirt or moisture on the products. Soiled rubber will subsequently conduct very well electrical current. Depending on the nature of the work performed, contaminated gloves are either disinfected, or simply washed with soda and soap. Of course, after performing this procedure, the rubber is thoroughly dried.
Safety regulations, among other things, prohibit tucking gloves when performing various kinds of work. This may cause electric shock. In especially serious cases, in order to avoid damage, leather or tarpaulin gloves are worn over rubber dielectric gloves.
Test
It is necessary to check dielectric gloves (GOST is given above) and imported ones before use. But according to the rules, such personal protective equipment must also be tested every six months. Such measures are being taken to protect workers in the laboratory. Here the gloves are subjected to a special test.
In tests, an electric current of 6 kV is passed through the products. Only gloves with a maximum of 6 mA may be suitable for use in production. Otherwise, the products are written off.
For dielectric gloves, the current GOST 12.4.183-91 is the main document governing their production and operation. However, the test procedure for such protective equipment is still determined by special instructions GOST 12.4.252-2013.
How are tests
The gloves that arrived at the laboratory are first lowered into a metal container with warm water. At the same time, they position the products in the tub so that their upper edges look outward by about 0.5 cm. The parts of the gloves that protrude from the water must be absolutely clean and dry.
In the next step, one of the terminals of the transformer is connected to the capacitance. The second output is used as grounding. Inside the glove, lower the electrode. Next, connect it to ground through a milliammeter. This allows not only checking the integrity of the glove, but also measuring whether it passes electricity.
The voltage when using this technique is supplied from a transformer connected to a dip switch. The first position in this case is the transformer - gas discharge lamp - lamp circuit, and the second - transformer - milliammeter - electrode.
In exactly the same way, the laboratory checks the suitability of dielectric shoes - galoshes and boots, as well as rugs.
The tested product is subsequently thoroughly dried at room temperature. Drying is strictly prohibited in hot air. High temperatures can damage the integrity of rubber, silicone or latex.
In which case are rejected
First of all, gloves that allow too much current are recognized as unusable. Also, according to the regulations, products should be rejected if the arrow of the ammeter during their testing fluctuates too much.
Important
It is strictly forbidden to use gloves that have not been tested for six months in work, by standards. Information on the date of the next check must be applied to the tag. The latter is glued to the glove. Also, sometimes in factories, the date of the next test is stamped on the tested gloves.
It is allowed to use dielectric gloves when performing various kinds of work only if the ambient temperature is -40 ... +30 ° . To operate such products is allowed, among other things, and when working with a gate. In any case, the use of high-quality, tested gloves, of course, does not preclude employee compliance with electrical safety rules at the workplace.
Application rules
Before starting work, thus, gloves should be inspected and checked for integrity. Also, you should pay attention to the last term of their test and expiration date. Too old gloves, unfortunately, can become brittle and dry. Accordingly, when carrying out work with their use, an electrician can get an electric shock.
Wearing gloves relies on the full depth. At the same time, their edge should protrude above the sleeves of workwear.
One of the important rules for the use of dielectric gloves is that they cannot be cleaned with gasoline, alkalis or acids. For this purpose, it is allowed to use, as already mentioned, exclusively soda and soap.
It is supposed to store dielectric gloves at a temperature from 0 to 25 ° C. Of course, you can not keep such products near open flames or hot objects, including radiators.
In some cases, dielectric gloves, like any other product, of course, have to be transported. When transporting such protective equipment from one climatic zone to another, it is prohibited to use them immediately. The delivered gloves should be pre-conditioned indoors at room temperature for 24 hours.
How much are
When carrying out work related to electric current, dielectric gloves are thus mandatory. Every electrician should use this protective equipment at the enterprise. Such useful accessories are very inexpensive. For one pair of dielectric gloves the company will have to pay about 200-500 p.
The expiration date of dielectric gloves can be different, depending on their purpose and class. For domestic dielectric gloves, according to GOST, the service life is usually 1 year. But of course, with intensive use, such accessories can lose their protective qualities much earlier.
What brands are produced
Most often in our time, domestic enterprises are used in enterprises, in everyday life and in public utilities. Such products are of high quality, since they are manufactured in accordance with the requirements of GOST and TU. It is domestic gloves that are labeled as "Ev" or "En."
Recently, however, dielectric products designed to protect hands and imported products have sometimes been supplied to enterprises. When choosing such gloves, you need to pay attention first of all to their class. It is also worth looking at the brand of the manufacturer of such products.
Consumer Reviews
According to electricians, in most cases dielectric gloves of quite decent quality are sold on the market today. The best protective products of this variety, according to experts, are:
Knipex
"Azri."
- Novax.
Aktau.
Hivamat.
Professionals include accessibility to the advantages of products from these manufacturers. All of these companies have representative offices in Russia. It is possible to order batches of such gloves in this way simply through the websites of these suppliers.
The only thing is that professional electricians strongly recommend checking the passport of such products before buying. Unfortunately, today there are counterfeit gloves of well-known companies on the market. Obtaining such products, of course, is impossible in any case. At the enterprise, this can subsequently end in failure.