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testing safe of a 16 Amp commando socket/plug

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Hello,i am an RF engineer and we have equipment that is fed by rack mounted AC/DC converters which charge batteries. these converters are wired into fused spurs using 2.5mm arctic blue cable routed into cable trunking. the 2.5mm cable is fixed in the rack before entering the trunking.

At the moment we are all trained in testing the circuit is switched off using a martindale VIPD138 voltage indicator and proving unit and then we lock off the circuit.

Everyone's training is due to expire and our company health and safety department want to change the installation from the fused spur to 16 Amp commando sockets/plugs rather than retrain everyone in proving the circuit has been switched off.


I have no issues with using commando sockets instead of the fused spurs but my concern is that if the nearest location the commando socket can be mounted is the other end of the room and there are numerous commando sockets supplying different racks how do you prove you have pulled the correct plug? surely you have to still be able to test the circuit has been switched off using the tester and training required.


I am having a discussion with the Health and safety department next week so any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks
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    One factor as you raise is how well the risk of mistaken isolation is managed

    You replace training with accurate labelling of the plugs and sockets, and an assumption that everyone is awake and well lit.

    Occasionally folk will get it wrong  - so the next step in the process.

    also plugs are more likely to be damaged and need more frequent inspections than fixed switches. Especially if they drop down and may get trodden on.



    Now what is the penalty for getting it wrong ?

    If it is just that someone's lights go out and they cant read their notes, or a battery goes flat that is very embarrassing but no danger. However if the risk is that someone then touches a transmitter antenna and gets a burn off it, because it is still very much energised, that is a rather more serious matter, and if the penalty was they get  a shock off something that causes them to fall from height, then the risk is higher still.


    If it is anything more than mild nuisance, then in your shoes I'd be happier if some one fitted pilot lights to the gear being isolated - if the light is on, it's alive.

    Mike

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  • 0
    One factor as you raise is how well the risk of mistaken isolation is managed

    You replace training with accurate labelling of the plugs and sockets, and an assumption that everyone is awake and well lit.

    Occasionally folk will get it wrong  - so the next step in the process.

    also plugs are more likely to be damaged and need more frequent inspections than fixed switches. Especially if they drop down and may get trodden on.



    Now what is the penalty for getting it wrong ?

    If it is just that someone's lights go out and they cant read their notes, or a battery goes flat that is very embarrassing but no danger. However if the risk is that someone then touches a transmitter antenna and gets a burn off it, because it is still very much energised, that is a rather more serious matter, and if the penalty was they get  a shock off something that causes them to fall from height, then the risk is higher still.


    If it is anything more than mild nuisance, then in your shoes I'd be happier if some one fitted pilot lights to the gear being isolated - if the light is on, it's alive.

    Mike

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