10 Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical Rubber Mats
Are your electrical insulating mats keeping you safe?
Don’t you want to know how this electrical safety equipment prevents shock?
In case you’re dealing with high working voltage in your workplace, don’t you want to ensure electrical safety?
According to a newspaper report, almost one lakh lives were lost due to electrocution, in the last decade. This can be prohibited with the use of electrical rubber sheets.
You might wonder what are the specifications of these electrical rubber mats.
What is the thickness and texture of these mats?
Are they significant to substations?
What happens if they are not used?
Where are its application zones and how do they prevent shock?
This blog offers you enlightenment regarding the significance of insulating rubber mats.
#1 What are the necessary specifications for electrical rubber mats?
Electrical rubber mat specifications are as follows:
- Durable- Rubber mats for electrical purposes should have high mechanical strength and be able to endure extreme temperatures and stress.
- High tensile strength- An electrical rubber mat should be able to withstand high stress in terms of stretching or pulling before breaking.
- High insulating properties- This property is the most important electrical rubber mat specification. Insulated rubber mats should provide a great extent of insulation as their primary role is to resist the flow of heat.
- High dielectric strength- Insulated rubber mat should be a dielectric mat that can have high electric strength and withstand high voltage until a dielectric breakdown.
- Efficiency in high voltage- Insulating mat is also called a high voltage mat. Insulated floor mats should be efficient when subjected to a high working voltage ranging from 3.3 kV to 33 kV or more.
#2 What is the thickness of electrical rubber mats?
As per the International Electrotechnical Commission standards (IEC 61111), the thickness of insulated rubber mats ranges from 2 mm to 14 mm. According to the American Society for Testing and Materials standard (ASTM D178), electrical rubber mats’ thickness can be between 3.2 mm to 12.7 mm. In Indian Standards (IS 15652), the thickness of rubber mats for electrical purposes can differ from 2 mm to 3 mm.
#3 Where is rubber mat used in substation?
Substations deal with high working voltage. Workers dealing with high voltage in substations are prone to exposure to dangerous voltages. Rubber mat for electrical purpose can help to shield people from this hazardous exposure.
Vulnerable hazardous electrical equipment and short circuits in substations may lead to unfortunate situations for the workers. With the application of electrical rubber mats in substations, workers are protected from electric shock by efficient insulation. It acts like an electrical safety equipment.
The insulated rubber mats contribute to the absorption of electricity in times of unwanted conduction of electricity. The electricity is directly conducted to the insulated floor mat in case of electric shock during live electrical work. In this manner, they enhance the industrial safety and regulation of the substation.
#4 What is the texture of insulated rubber mats?
The texture of insulated rubber mats varies from being textured to dotted. Certain insulating rubber mats have a texture that is finely ribbed at the top and textured at the bottom. The ribbed surface texture helps in increasing traction and reduces skidding and slipping. On the other hand, some insulating mats are textured on both sides of the mat. Whereas such insulating mats are also present that are dotted in nature in terms of texture. The dotted texture enhances the grip on the flooring and provides an anti-skid character to the electrical mat.
#5 What happens when electrical insulating mats are not used?
If electrical insulating mats are not used, then the workers will be threatened by exposure to random electric shocks and high conduction of electricity. This will increase the number of accidents in the workplace such as power stations, substations, LT panels, and others. This will create a nuisance in the industries dealing with high voltage and decrease their productivity. Apart from this, workers standing for prolonged hours in these industries can result in the development of fatigue and physical stress. Electrical rubber mats with their texture being ribbed or dotted will help in decreasing their physical stress.
Must Read — Where are the Insulating Mats Used? Industry-Wise Applications
#6 What is the ASTM standard for an electrical insulating mat?
ASTM is referred to as the American Standard for Testing and Materials. Different classes of insulated rubber mats have different working voltages.
- Class 0 ASTM insulated rubber mats can be used for applications having working voltage up to 1 kV.
- Class 1 can be implemented in areas reaching up to 7.5 kV of working voltage.
- Class 2 can be utilized in places prone to attain the range of 17 kV of working voltage.
- Class 3 can be operationalized in zones that are vulnerable to a working voltage of 26.5 kV.
- Class 4 can be enforced in industries dealing with the working voltage up to 36 kV.
#7 How does an insulating rubber mat prevent shock?
Insulating mats prohibit the flow of current through the human body with its insulating properties. Workers working in substations, power stations, and other electrical stations are prone to exposure to high voltage and current. Electrical panel rubber mat plays a vital role in panels. Live electrical work can unfortunately hike the current causing electric shock. Shock prevention is done with the help of an insulated rubber mat which acts as a shield and isolates one from electric shock.
#8 What is the process of installation of insulation mats?
Four fundamental things are required for the installation of insulating rubber sheets. These are mats, rollers, adhesives, and brushes.
- First the floor where the electrical mat is to be installed should be clean from dirt or moisture and it should be cemented.
- Adhesives like SR 998 should be applied with the help of a brush on the back of the mat to be installed and the floor surface. However, adhesives are not needed to install IEC 61111 and ASTM D178 electrical mats.
- The adhesive should be given time to dry.
- Following this, the mat should be placed in a linear direction on the floor.
- With the application of a roller, pressure should be applied to the mat.
- The mat should be left for seven days to dry.
#9 How are electrical insulating mats cleaned?
In case of loose dirt or debris, the electrical rubber mats can be shaken off or vacuumed thoroughly. With the help of mild detergent or soap water, spots can be aided. It should be noted harsh chemicals or detergents will degrade the insulating properties of the mat. Detergent residue should be rinsed thoroughly and dried completely before its application.
#10 Where are electrical insulating rubber sheets used?
Electrical rubber mats are primarily used for electrical hazard protection, shock prevention, electrical maintenance, and ensuring electrical work safety. Rubber mats for electrical purposes can be used in panel boards, power transformer rooms, generator rooms, substations, and around bus bars. Insulated rubber mats have applications in lift rooms, electrical panels, X-ray plant rooms, LT and HT labs, and construction safety.
Hope this blog answers all your questions regarding electrical rubber mats and offers you all the necessary information!
Keep in mind to contact a specialist before purchasing an insulating mat as different applications demand different parameters in terms of eletrical rubber mat size, thickness, working voltage, or dielectric strength.
