Electrical insulation (electrical insulating, dielectric) gloves are necessary to protect the hands of an electrician against electric shock. Their use is mandatory for both professionals and amateurs who work with electrical equipment load up to 1000V.
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Types of insulating gloves for electrician
Rubber or latex is usually used for production. The size of the cuffs is chosen so that it is comfortable to work in them. If dielectric gloves are supposed to be used at subzero temperatures in the street, the width should be larger (so that knitted products can be worn under the overalls).
There are the following types of dielectric gloves:
- two-fingered and five-fingered;
- Seamless and seamless dielectric gloves.
Insulating gloves marked "Ev" and "En" can be used in electrical installations:
- "Ev" - the product protects the skin against voltages over 1 kV (as an auxiliary protective device);
- "En" - the product is used as the main protective equipment for currents up to 1KV.
Inspection principles and test periods for dielectric gloves
Safety regulations state that dielectric gloves must be tested every six months. The test is performed under laboratory conditions: the pair is first exposed to 6 kV for 60 seconds. If the products are suitable for use, they conduct no more than 6mA, if the material conducts more current - the cuffs are unsuitable for use as electrical protection equipment.
Inspection sequence:
- Electric insulating dielectric gloves are placed in a metal tank with warm or slightly cool (at least 20 C) water. The gloves are not immersed completely - the top should peek out over the surface by 45-55 mm. This is necessary so that the electrodes can be placed inside the mittens. The material over the water (as well as the walls of the tank not filled with liquid) must be dry.
- One of the contacts of the transformer is connected to the tank, the other is grounded. An electrode, grounded by means of a milliampere meter, is immersed in the gloves. With this method it is possible not only to assess the integrity of the material, but also to test whether electric current is flowing through the product.
- The load comes from transformer equipment, which is connected with one wire to the tank and the other to a two-position switch. The first way to test: transformer-gas lamp-electrode chain; the second way: transformer-milliammeter-electrode chain.
Multiple pairs can be tested at once, provided that it is possible to check the load going through each product. After testing, the gloves are dried thoroughly.
Inspection intervals for dielectric gloves must be strictly observed, because when working with current up to 1KV it is often the only protection against a possible electric shock.
Requirements for rubber gloves for electricians
Dielectric gloves for currents up to 1000V and more than 1KV have two layers, different in color. There is a number marking on the outside.
The following data is obligatory on the issue of each batch:
- Product name;
- Date of manufacture;
- Number of tapes in the batch;
- Type and markings;
- Type; Trademark;
- Expiration date and warranty.
Prior to use, the tapes are tested and the results noted on a special form. One pair is taken at first. If the product does not pass the test, two other pairs from the same batch are taken, but they are subjected to a more in-depth test. If they pass the test, it expands the possibility of use for the entire batch; if not, the dielectric gloves are acceptance gloves, that is, they do not meet the requirements.
If the product is transported from one climate zone to another, the batch is left at room temperature for 24 hours and only then unpacked. During storage, dielectric gloves must not be exposed to ultraviolet rays (sunlight), and the package must be placed at least 1 m away from heating appliances and heaters.
Length of the gloves according to GOST
Parameters of dielectric rubber gloves (including length) are formed taking into account their purpose. There are three types of products:
- For particularly delicate work;
- Normal;
- For hard work.
The wall thickness should be no more than 9 mm for models designed for coarse work, and no more than 4 mm for fine work. The best option - when the mittens are easily put on warm (or knitted) gloves or mittens.
As for the requirements for dielectric gloves in terms of length, it should not be less than 35 cm.
Service life of dielectric gloves
If the rules of storage are followed, dielectric gloves usually last 1 year or more (with a periodic inspection of the product - once every six months). The warranty period should be indicated on the packaging.
If the safety precautions are not followed, a person wearing gloves can be electrocuted, which can cause muscle spasm, difficulty in breathing, up to and including death.
Some people's skin doesn't conduct current, so they don't feel any discomfort at first when they are electrocuted. However, there are signs that tell you that an electric shock has occurred and medical attention is needed. These are:
- A sudden fall of the worker if he or she was standing near electrical appliances or electrical equipment;
- Deterioration of vision (eye unresponsive to light), speech understanding;
- Respiratory arrest;
- Occurrence of convulsions, loss of consciousness.
An electric shock can cause a burn on the skin. However, if there is none, it does not mean that all is well: the current may not affect the external skin coverings, but cause respiratory or cardiac problems.
It is important to get the person away from the source of the electric shock immediately, as he himself will not be able to remove his hand from the wire. You cannot use your own hands to do this, you must use an object that does not conduct electricity. Then it is necessary to check whether the person has a pulse, breathing. If not, you should immediately call an ambulance and start resuscitation (artificial respiration). It is also important to find the place where the current entered, cool it with water for 10-15 minutes, wrap the injured areas of the skin with clean bandages.
Peculiarities of using electrical insulating gloves
Dielectric gloves should be inspected before use, checking for mechanical damage, contamination and moisture, and checking for punctures by twisting the gloves toward the fingers.
Before putting on the dielectric gloves, they must be inspected, focusing on the following points:
- An inspection stamp must be present
- There should not be any mechanical damage on the product
- The gloves must not be dirty and wet
- Must be free of punctures and cracks
Here almost everything is clear and easy to assess visually, but how to check the dielectric gloves for punctures? To do this, you need to twist the edges towards the fingers - cracks will immediately become visible.
The edges of the gloves must not be twisted during use. To protect against mechanical effects, you can put on top of leather or tarpaulin.
From time to time it is recommended to wash the pair used in a soda solution (normal soapy water can be used). The gloves are then dried.
Related articles:Important: If the dielectric gloves meet the protective properties, they can be used for six months, until the next inspection. However, the gloves should be inspected before each use. If cracks, mechanical damage and so on are found, this protective agent should not be used.
