EN
20
Checks to electrical devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall include initial
safety checks and component inspection procedures. If a fault exists that
could compromise safety, then no electrical supply shall be connected
to the circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt with. If the fault cannot be
corrected immediately but it is necessary to continue operation, an
adequate temporary solution shall be used. This shall be reported to the
owner of the equipment so all parties are advised.
Initial safety checks shall include:
•
That capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner
to avoid possibility of sparking;
•
That there no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while
charging, recovering or purging the system;
•
That there is continuity of earth bonding.
Repairs to sealed components
1. During repairs to sealed components, all electrical supplies shall be
disconnected from the equipment being worked upon prior to any
removal of sealed covers, etc. If it is absolutely necessary to have an
electrical supply to equipment during servicing, then a permanently
operating form of leak detection shall be located at the most critical
point to warn of a potentially hazardous situation.
2. Particular attention shall be paid to the following to ensure that by
working on electrical components, the casing is not altered in such a
way that the level of protection is affected. This shall include damage
to cables, excessive number of connections, terminals not made to
original specification, damage to seals, incorrect fitting of glands, etc.
Ensure apparatus is mounted securely.
Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded such that they
no longer serve the purpose of preventing the ingress of flammable
atmospheres. Replacement parts shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications.
NOTICE
The use of silicon sealant may inhibit the effectiveness of
some types of leak detection equipment. Intrinsically safe components
do not have to be isolated prior to working on them.
Repair to intrinsically safe components
Do not apply any permanent inductive or capacitance loads to the circuit
without ensuring that this will not exceed the permissible voltage and
current permitted for the equipment in use.