Working with E-equipment is becoming increasingly common as a result of the energy transition. Even before the arrival of E-equipment, dangerous situations involving electricity were a regular occurrence - sometimes with severe consequences. An electric current is not visible, but improper handling can have major consequences.
Consider the following example: Imagine you have been working in the garden. You want to disconnect the garden hose. Whilst disconnecting the garden hose, you discover that you had not yet turned the tap off. When you disconnect the garden hose, the water from the tap sprays out and you get wet. Fortunately, in this example, the worst that can happen is that you get wet as a result of water spraying from the tap. The situation is very different when we consider wires with a current running through them. When you disconnect a wire that still had current flowing through it at the time of disconnection, then you cannot see the current being ‘released’. At this point, you are at risk of suffering an electric shock, or an electric arc may occur. This can result in life-threatening situations.
For this reason, it is important that all employees who prepare and perform activities near and using E-equipment are aware of the risks that can occur when working with live current.
The target audience for this toolbox is:
N.B.: If you do not feel comfortable giving this toolbox to someone, then ask a work supervisor (WS) or installation supervisor (IS) for assistance!
For additional background information, please refer to the toolbox on electrocution and electric arc. This toolbox also contains a video in which an electric arc is simulated.
Electric arc
An electric arc is the sudden release of energy by an electric current, usually as a result of short circuit. An electric arc results in the release of a large quantity of heat, light, sound, pressure waves and toxins. As a result, an electric arc can best be compared to a small explosion, with a risk of very severe or even fatal burn wounds or poisoning. The heat that is released can reach extremely high temperatures (up to 20,000 degrees Celsius!).
The images shown below and the video examples referred to above provide examples from installation technology settings. However, an electric arc can just as easily occur when you remove a plug or charging cable from a piece of E-equipment. The risks and consequences are just the same!