chapter 01

Introduction
 The 5 Safety Rules
Introduction

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 Introduction

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 The 5 Safety Rules
1. Disconnect completely

Isolate all live parts on which work is to be carried out. When removing
HRC high rupture capacity fuses (de-energized if possible) use fuse
handle with protections sleeve and face guard.

In the case of switchgear with rated voltages > 1 kV,

establish the necessary isolating distances,
e.g. Isolators, load-break switches, fused isolators.

Shuweihat S3, AE1172, Copyright © Siemens AG 2012 / Siemens Power Academy - Energy Solutions
It is not sufficient to arrange a specific time for isolating the switchgear. The correct
procedure is to wait for confirmation that the switchgear has been isolated.
The fact that no voltage is applied cannot be regarded to such confirmation.

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 The 5 Safety Rules
2. Secure against re-connection

While work is in progress, an instruction plate must be fitted to operating handles of switching
and control devices, fuses, miniature circuit breakers or similar equipment, by means of which
equipment has been isolated or can be made live. In some cases, it may suffice to place a
warning sign near the equipment.

Warning sign : Do not switch! Work in progress.

Shuweihat S3, AE1172, Copyright © Siemens AG 2012 / Siemens Power Academy - Energy Solutions
The isolated equipment should be protected against
being made live again inadvertently or automatically, e.g. by interrupting the control supply.
Keep the operating levers and handles of hand operated mechanisms in a safe place.
Padlocks should also be fitted where applicable.

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 The 5 Safety Rules
3. Test absence of voltage

Care must be taken to verify that the equipment at the place of work is dead.
Voltage testers must be suitable and adequately marked for the particular voltage.

For low-voltage applications, use two-pole voltage testers or portable measuring

devices complying with the requirements for voltage testers.

Shuweihat S3, AE1172, Copyright © Siemens AG 2012 / Siemens Power Academy - Energy Solutions
Example:
voltage tester < 1000V

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 The 5 Safety Rules
For high-voltage applications, single-pole-testers should be used (double-pole units may only
be employed as phase comparators).
Multi-function instruments (multimeter must not be used in
high-energy system sections.
The use of voltage testers combined with tools is not permitted.

The testers should be checked for proper functioning

by applying them to live equipment before and after the test.
Voltage testers for switchgear above 1 kV must be of the
single-pole type. Moreover, they must not have any moving

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cables or similar facilities for connection to earth or other poles.

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 The 5 Safety Rules
4. Earthing and short-circuiting

The parts to be worked on should first be earthed and then short-circuited at a point within
visual range of the place of work. If the earthing and short-circuiting point cannot be seen
from the place of work (e.g. motor terminal boxes, transformers with blanked-off or fanged
terminations), earth and short-circuit the parts at the nearest switching point.

Overhead lines from 1 to 30 kV should additionally be earthed

and short-circuited at one switch-off point, and those over 30 kV
at each switch-off point (risk of voltages induced by parallel

Shuweihat S3, AE1172, Copyright © Siemens AG 2012 / Siemens Power Academy - Energy Solutions
lines or atmospheric disturbances). When working on a
interruption point, earth and short-circuit both sides
(e.g. overhead lines, cables, risk of reverse voltage).

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 The 5 Safety Rules
5. Protection against adjacent live parts

Should there be a risk of anyone inadvertently touching adjacent live parts (e.g. with tools,
ladders, frame sections) when carrying out work on isolated parts of the electrical
equipment, these live parts must be isolated as well.
If it proves impossible to isolate all the adjacent parts in accordance
with the four above-mentioned safety rules, the adjacent live parts
must be protected against accidental contact by fitting sufficiently
robust and reliable insulating barriers or other similar devices.

Shuweihat S3, AE1172, Copyright © Siemens AG 2012 / Siemens Power Academy - Energy Solutions
Protection by covering

Protection by barriers

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