which are inherently resistant to being corroded or are suitably protected
against being so corroded.
6-9
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.
7.
Repairs to sealed components
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.
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 that 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.
NOTE:
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.
8.
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.
Intrinsically safe components are the only types that can be worked on while
CAUTION
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