Protect against electric arc can be!

In recent years, Russia has seen a significant increase in energy production and consumption. If in 2002 was generated 895 billion kWh by 2010, experts predict will be produced to 995 billion kWh of electricity: more nearly 100 billion kilowatt-hours Maintenance of electrical appliances, facilities and equipment available in abundance in any enterprise engaged in electrical engineering staff. Today in Russia there is a steady need for specialists of this profile. At the same time all the more acute becomes the problem of ensuring appropriate protection of this category of employees. According to the Model industry standards free issue of special clothing, special footwear and other personal protective equipment to employees of organizations of the Electricity Industry "(Resolution № 54 of 04.26.2004, the Ministry of Labour of Russia), are cross-cutting and spreading its effects on all industries, the electrical staff enterprises include: electricians for maintenance of electrical power; electricians repair and maintenance of electrical equipment, electricians operative visiting teams, electricians to repair overhead power lines, electricians, operating distribution networks, electricians repair and installation of cable lines; electrician to repair the equipment of distribution devices; electricians main control room stations; electricians-lineyschiki installation of high voltage overhead lines and contact network. For any member of the above professions to wear suits to protect against electric arc thermal factors and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment is mandatory. Major risk factors for human arcing any production poses a potential danger. However, life and health of electricians exposed to another risk specific to employees of these particular professions. The greatest threat to them is the electric arc - an electrical discharge in a gaseous medium, forming a plasma channel between electrodes of different polarities. The temperature of the plasma in the channel electric arc at atmospheric pressure reaches +6000 - +20000 ° C, which is higher than the temperature at the surface of the Sun. Length of arc depends on the time fuse and ranges from milliseconds to several seconds. The main factors that threaten life and health of the worker in an accident, associated with the action of an electric arc, are the following: the effect of surprise: the time of occurrence of arcing is unpredictable, the effect of invisibility: arcing often simply invisible, as the emission of radiant energy in this case may be 9 / 10 of the total energy released, and the emission of light energy is only 1 / 10. effect of energy concentration: allocation of large amounts of energy in a short period of confinement leads to local concentrations of deadly energy, ultra-high temperature: under their influence a person receives severe burns and trauma, shock wave: the rise of electric arc discharge is accompanied by an explosion and formed at the same time a powerful shock wave, resulting in people being injured by falling and hitting the objects that are behind him, fire the workers' clothes: usually occurs in the case, if not designed to protect against electric arc clothing or clothing with the insufficient degree of protection; melting synthetic details of clothes and equipment workers and molten substances on human skin, resulting in burns; selection of ozone and carbon monoxide: these substances have identical effect: an active binding to hemoglobin, they form a stable compound, which is in excess of blood leads to oxygen starvation, suffocation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting or even death, because carbon monoxide, for example, is associated with hemoglobin, depriving its ability to allocate accumulated in the tissues of carbon dioxide. By engaging in oxidative reactions, it violates the biochemical balance in the tissues. Protect against electric arc difficult, but you can protect a person from the consequences of the electric arc may only be met if the safety rules, designed specifically for those working with electrical installations and equipment, as well as with the application of appropriate personal protective equipment, These include: clothing with specialized protective properties, including underwear, balaclava (summer or winter) and a working suit, special shoes; dielectric and heat-resistant gloves, helmet with protective face shields. Suit in accordance with the "Guidelines" Russian Ministry of Industry suit, which protects a person from exposure to intense heat flux, and open flames should be: not melt, ignite or support combustion, heat-resistant properties to maintain throughout life, as evidenced by persistence of the protective properties after 50 cycles of washings; provide protection from the heat flow, the installed capacity, have sufficient mechanical strength to maintain the protective properties of the whole life span, not to cause further harm to human life and health. This requirement is consistent with clothing made of 100% cotton flame-resistant fabrics, manufactured the technology Proban ® fabrics and heat-resistant fiber Nomex ®. Proban - is patented by Rhodia technology, for which a special agent - fire retardant - uniformly envelop the cotton fiber, penetrates and is fixed in its structure. With fiber there is no any chemical reaction, physical properties of the warp do not change, remain hygienic properties of cotton fabrics increased durability. Proban flame-retarding properties are preserved during storage (up to 10 years), frequent washing and dry cleaning (up to 200 washings). Proban-treated fabrics means no smoking, do not have the ability to re-fire, the flames did not spread outside the charred area. Safety Probana established almost 50 years ago. Today it is widely used in the production of fabrics for the manufacture of children's clothes and upholstery of the seats in the cabin. Nomex - metaaramidnye fiber manufactured by DuPont, for over thirty years are used in the production of heat-resistant clothing. This ergonomic material has low thermal conductivity, provides protection from burns, II and III level, as well as stable antistatic properties. The material from the fibers of Nomex, Kevlar is paraaramid ®, which improves the durability of the material to rupture when a sudden burst of flame. When exposed to heat tissue closes the pores, which reduces the penetration of hot air inside. Prolonged exposure to heat tissue condenses and forms a solid charred surface, which continues to ensure optimal thermal insulation of the body. Footwear basic requirement for a special shoe for electro-ended business - it should not contain metal (nails, blocks, toe, etc.) could become a conductor of electricity. In addition, it should be made of materials with antistatic properties, contain no synthetic inserts, and winter - synthetic insulation, be resistant to high temperatures. Modern footwear for this category of staff today is made of genuine high quality leather that can withstand -40 ° C to +250 ° C. All seams are stitched fire-resistant Nomex thread. It uses the protective polycarbonate toe cap having impact strength 200 J (able to withstand falling objects weighing 20 kg with a height of 1 m) and other mechanical effects. This toe has permanent antistatic and insulating properties, does not cool on a cold and not heated by the heat. Linen & CLUTCH For the most complete protection to employees of electrical specialties necessary to use heat-resistant underwear and CLUTCH, heated or summer. Typically, these products are made of knitted cloth. The composition of its fibers in addition to cotton or wool fiber consists of having the property to limit the spread of fire through the property to displace oxygen (Protex ®), or not to support the spread of fire (aramid fibers). Cloth, containing fibers Protex ® (60%), used to make summer clothes and summer balaclava. They are resistant to temperatures above +380 ° C, withstand open flame for 15 seconds. Cloths high density (up to 400 g / m ?) with aramid fibers (the contents - up to 12%) are used for the manufacture of insulated products, which protect against heat. Due to the high (70%) content of wool products made of such fabrics effectively protect and the effect of low temperatures. Helmet, mask and gloves in order to ensure comprehensive protection from electric arc action and in accordance with "Guidelines Ministry of Industry (Order № 97 dated March 28, 2007) clothing for electricians should be used with personal protection equipment (PPE) as a helmet, face mask , heat-resistant gloves. The modern market of personal protective equipment offers various types of such PPE. For example, helmets are made of high impact resistant polycarbonate and can withstand temperatures from -50 ? C to +150 ? C without loss of protective properties. These helmets provide protection from contact with conductors up to 1000 V, have a textile headband with six attachment points, leather inserts to soak up sweat, side pockets for attachment points, boards, headphones, they established a system of smooth adjustment of the size of the headband and an adjustable ventilation system. For the protection of a person on a helmet can be attached a special mask with a special fire-resistant piping. Shield made of transparent acetate, has a circular attachment that allows you to easily fix it in any of the 3-position. As an extra hand protection against mechanical damage and thermal effects included insulating gloves and suits electro technical personnel of enterprises is recommended to use soft, elastic, seamless gloves, designed to protect hands from heat, abrasion, cuts. These gloves are usually made of para-aramid fiber Kevlar ®, having the property does not support combustion, more resistant to cuts than steel. Within a short time, they provide protection against heat up to 100 ° C. Worn when working on the electrical systems under the insulating rubber gloves. Protection of the effects of arcing - a serious matter, requiring a responsible relationship not only from the manufacturers of protective equipment, but also on their direct customers. If an employee is out of ignorance or reluctance to not take advantage of the company is dedicated to him the PPE in the event of an accident with the emergence of electric arc discharge him would hardly someone can help .... To protect your health and save lives and permanently disabled, you need to know where to wait for the danger and be able to resist it.