Last week, we talked about how to make Absence of Voltage Testing safer and more productive with the GracePESDs® Safe-Test Point™ and Voltage Test Station. For an interactive experience exploring this concept, you can now register for our upcoming webinar: Absence of Voltage Testing: Facts, Myths, and Misinformation presented by Grace Technologies Technical Product Director, Bhanu Srilla, CESCP, CMRP. This week let's talk about voltage presence.
Permanent Electrical Safety Devices (PESDs) greatly assist with a safer, smarter, and more productive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO). Our voltage indicators visually represent voltage presence with flashing or non-flashing LED lights from the device that is hardwired to the load side of an electrical feeder or disconnect switch.
However, when the lights are no longer illuminated, this is not to be considered an accurate representation of the absence of voltage. In order to verify absence of voltage, a qualified person must go beyond visual verification and perform a metered test, which is where our Safe-Test Point™ and Voltage Test Station would come into play.
Failure to perform proper mechanical or electrical LOTO can lead to electrocution, electrical shock, arc-flash, and other hazards. In addition to huge penalties by OSHA for non-compliance, these hazards often result in lost time wages, compensation claims, permanent disability, and fatalities. Voltage indicators improve mechanical LOTO safety and identify faults before maintenance is performed.
These PESDs are permanently installed self-powered devices that are typically hardwired to the load side of an electrical feeder or a disconnect switch and illuminate whenever hazardous voltage is present in any individual phase. Voltage indicators speed up productivity and safety for task-qualified personnel while performing mechanical LOTO tasks.
With a voltage indicator for every application, you’ll never need to compromise safety. From the standard R-3W to the CAT III/IV rated fiber optic R-3F2, we’re ready to help you improve your electrical safety program today. The most recent additions to the lineup include the DC application indicator, R-3W-DC, and the Flex-Mount, R-3D2. The Flex-Mount was specifically designed to be able to mount onto the top, bottom, or side of a disconnect switch, for example. It includes labels that come with the kit for directional mounting.
The Flex-Mount is especially unique because it conveniently mounts onto any electrical equipment that features an M20 or ¾” conduit knockout. This 3-phase voltage indicator uses redundant, long-life LEDs (flashing or non-flashing options available) to provide a visual representation of energy presence with the flexibility of being mounted virtually anywhere conduit knockout (alternate mounting position labels are provided).
In addition to the four-wire option, the Flex-Mount is the first voltage indicator PESD to utilize an optional five-wire configuration for use on wye power systems. The Flex-Mount comes fully potted with CAT III & CAT IV ratings and can be hardwired directly to a voltage source making it ideal for use in both AC & DC applications.
We also have an indicator for medium voltage application with the R-1V Medium Voltage Indicator. This PESD is installed differently than the previously mentioned indicators as it mounts directly onto a medium voltage bus to alert personnel to voltage presence with flashing LEDs.
The Medium Voltage Indicator is designed to provide sufficient illumination to be easily seen through a regular or IR viewing window mounted on a medium voltage starter, transformer, switchgear, or other power distribution equipment. The R-1V is built for long life and reliability with solid-state LEDs and is coated with flame-rated material. The Medium Voltage Indicator also uses capacitively-coupled resistivity to provide high surge immunity.
Speaking of voltage indicators, if you already have a standalone R-3W series voltage indicator installed, you can now easily upgrade to combine with a Safe-Test Point™ with our new EZ-Upgrade Voltage Test Station Kit. Our Regional Sales Manager, Don Sparks, explains the new installation capabilities of our Knockout Voltage Test Station and EZ-Upgrade in this video:
Date: TODAY!
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Booth Number: #209
Info: Participating in the Electrical Safety Workshop (ESW) means you will find yourself in the company of people who share a passion for advancing the state of the art in electrical safety. You will hear viewpoints from diverse perspectives. People from different industries, from science and medicine, from electrical technology companies, from safety professionals, from government regulators, and from people from countries other than yours. If you're attending today, stop by booth #209 and check out our demos!
As I mentioned at the top, registration is now open for our next FREE webinar. Absence of Voltage Testing is one of the critical steps in the process of establishing and verifying an electrically safe work condition, Article 120.5, NFPA 70E. This session will dive into the risks associated with these tasks and compare various methods and technologies to minimize the hazard exposure and risks to acceptable levels.
