SHINE A LIGHT ON
SAFE MAINTENANCE
E
lectricity at Work
egulations
, require
maintenance of electrical
plant and equipment to be
carried out with circuits de-energised
and locked off. Locking off the circuit
which the equipment is connected
to, is just one part of the procedure.
Before carrying out any work, you
must verify that the circuit is dead.
Circuits are frequently mislabelled so
there is no certainty that the correct
circuit is locked off. In some instances
where neutrals are borrowed they
can become live if an energised load
on another circuit is connected to it.
To prove dead, it s essential to use
a dedicated voltage indicator and a
proving unit.
The Drummond test lamp from
Martindale has been established for
many years as one of the easiest ways
to prove dead. igh intensity L Ds
have now transformed the humble test
lamp into one of the most dependable
voltage indicators available.
uitable for use in bright sunlight and
ideal for measurements where access
is restricted, the latest Drummond Test
Lamps from Martindale lectric, leaders
in safe isolation, are the perfect
solution for proving dead and ensuring
compliance with the lectricity at Work
Regulations.
The new generation retain all the
existing benefits of the original test
lamp with none of the drawbacks.
The lighter and tougher designs
operate without batteries, ranges
or switches, making the Drummond
MTL10 the most flexible and simplest
way to prove dead before carrying out
electrical maintenance.
result of an unwanted inter connection
between circuits, or is a potentially
harmless phantom voltage due to
capacitive coupling. The MTL20 has the
capability to simply dissipate induced
phantom voltages by presenting a
low impedance to the circuit when
needed. This achieved by simply
pressing the button on each probe.
In order to prevent this from being
done accidently, both buttons mu st be
depressed at the same time.
Clearly if there is any doubt as
to whether a voltage indication is
hazardous live or interference /
phantom after using a low impedance
tester then alternative tests should
also be performed.
360o indication over 4 voltage
levels from 50V to 400V
With distinctive bands of L D
illumination, gone are the days of
using lamp brightness as an indication
of voltage level. The latest Drummond
Test Lamps provide safe indication
for voltages above 50, 100, 200 and
400 volts. The voltage levels allow
accurate identification of potentially
lethal voltages and enable electrical
professionals to distinguish between
110V, 230V and phase to phase
voltages in a 3 phase system.
A wide range of its and loc ing o
devices available
Available separately, or as part of a kit,
the MTL10 D and MTL20 D include a
proving unit and a combination carry
case, ensuring the essential equipment
for safe maintenance is always to
hand. In addition Martindale lectric
offer a complete range of locking off
devices for miniature circuit breakers
(MCB & RCBOs) and fuse carriers
to prevents circuits from being reenergised whilst maintenance is in
progress.
The insulated probes are detachable
and can be replaced with right angled
or straight probes from 3cm to 13cm
long which can be rotated and locked
in place to improve access in hard
to reach measurement locations in
crowded cabinets.
Range of detachable
probes improve access
igh Intensity L D’s transform the
test lamp
robably the most significant
development in test lamp design
has been the move to high intensity
L Ds, enabling the display of discrete
voltages over a 360o viewing angle,
even in bright sunlight for the most
difficult of applications. The visibility
from all angles is unique when
compared to conventional two pole
testers and makes for safer and easier
voltage indication when carrying out
safe isolation procedures.
54
PECM Issue 23
As a further precautionary measure,
the two layer double insulated cable
with white inner insulation provides a
clear warning of abrasion that might
compromise user safety. uitable for
use in a variety of applications, the
cable is also heat and oil resistant.
Troubleshooting phantom voltages
For troubleshooting demanding
applications, for example, when live
voltage indications appear to be
present after isolating a circuit, the
additional dual impedance functionality
of the MTL20 can help get to the
bottom of the problem quickly and
safely.
It s essential to identify if the voltage
is hazardous, possibly back-fed, the
MTL20PD safe isolation includes proving
unit and carry essential kit for Electricity at
Work compliance
Find out more:
bit.ly safe-isolation-article
bit.ly safe-isolation-video
http://martindale-electric.co.uk/