What is the Use of an Electrical Safety Mat for 11 kV?

Wondering what to use to protect yourself from electric shock? Confused why you should be using an 11 kV rubber mat?

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Manufacturers make an electrical safety mat with rubber. Rubber has high electrical resistance. It can withstand high power. Electrical safety matting should have high dielectric strength. It can withstand high electricity without breaking down. People install it in areas where people work with heavy machinery. Heavy machinery operates at high working voltage.

Substations have many pieces of equipment working at high voltages. There are risks of electrical hazards. An electrical rubber mat manufacturer suggests people install insulated mats. These mats offer a non-conductive path. They do not allow the overflow of current from the source to the ground.

Manufacturers categorize electrical safety mats in different grades. These grades have different electricity-withstanding capacities. An 11 kV insulating mat is only compliant with the IS 15652 standard.

Where can you use an 11 kV rubber mat?

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You can use it when your operating voltage is less or up to 11 kV. You can install it near switchboards and electrical appliances. You can also use them near control panels and lift rooms. Yet, you should check whether they are operating with a voltage under 11 kV.

6 Ways to use an 11 kV rubber mat for electrical safety:

1. Protect yourself from electric shock.
2. Secure yourself from leakage current.
3. Save yourself from arc flash.
4. Guarantee electrical safety from damaged equipment,
5. Ensure safety from sudden electrical discharge.
6. Shield yourself from the current overflow.

Suppose you are working with electrical equipment having a working voltage of 10 kV. A question that always

Why should you install an electrical insulation mat for 11 kV?

You should install an electrical insulation mat for 11 kV as:

1. It can withstand a voltage up to 10 kV. It will not break down with exposure to this voltage.
2. It will protect you from electric shock. When you work with live electrical equipment, you have risks of electric shock. An electrical rubber mat will not allow the current to flow through your body. It will safeguard you by resisting the conduction to the ground.
3. It will protect you from high currents from short circuits. If you are working with loose connections there will be chances of short circuits. Short circuits can take place when you work with broken electrical equipment. You will expose yourself to high current. Electrical safety matting will act as a barrier. It will save you from fatal accidents.
4. It will protect you from arc flashes. Arc flashes discharge high current. Workers face accidents with arc flash exposure. Electrical safety matting will protect you from this high current.
5. It will give you peace of mind. If you ensure electrical safety in your workplace, you will feel safe. It will help you perform better.

Note that only the IS 15652 standard has 11 kV insulating mats.

5 reasons to use electrical rubber mats in switch rooms

Let us take a look at an incident!

Will works in a power plant. He is working with 30 kV of power. He is aware of electrical hazards. He has taken all the necessary precautions to ensure safety in the workplace. Will had installed electrical insulation mats to protect the workforce.

There was a short circuit condition in the workplace. Some of his co-workers got electric shocks. This happened after he installed electrical safety matting. Will is in shock after seeing this. He is wondering what went wrong.

So, what do you think went wrong?

Will had installed insulated mats in his workplace. It failed to protect the workers from electric shock. Will had installed an electrical insulation mat for 11 kV. But, he operates equipment that has a working voltage of 30 kV. An 11 kV rubber mat cannot withstand more working voltage than 11 kV. As a result, the safety mat could not withstand 33 kV. Thus, the workforce had risks of electric shock. It could not provide electrical insulation to them.

What should Will do?

Will should consult an electrical mat manufacturer. He will advise him to use electrical safety matting for 33 kV. It will protect the workforce from electric hazards. It can withstand the working voltage Will works with. The prices of different mats are given in the electrical insulating mats price list. A 33kV rubber mat price is more than that of 11 kV.

What are the different standards of electrical insulation mats?

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Electrical insulation mats have three different standards. One is the IS 15652 standard. Another is the IEC 61111 standard. And the other is the ASTM D178 standard.

Suppose you are working with a higher voltage than 11 kV. You are using an 11 kV rubber mat for insulation. What happens next?

• The electrical safety mat loses its physical properties. The color and texture of the mat fade.
• The mat loses its insulating properties. The mat has a dielectric breakdown. This happens when the electrical safety matting is exposure to a voltage higher than its rating.
• The electrical safety mat loses its electrical insulation.
• It loses its non-conductivity. Electrical safety matting fails to bypass the overflow of current in such conditions.
• It fails to prevent electric shock. It allows some part of the current to flow through the body in contact with the source.

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical Rubber Mats

The following are the ways to maintain your electrical insulation mat for 11 kV:

1. Inspect your safety mat regularly.
2. Do not put extra stress on it.
3. Keep it free from debris and dirt.
4. Clean the surface to reduce moisture content.
5. Use a mild detergent or soap solution to clean your mat.
6. You can use a specialized cleaning agent to remove heavy stains.
7. You can use a vinegar solution to clean stains.
8. Do not use harsh chemicals to clean the mat.
9. Look for damage, wear, or tear in your mat.
10. Repair your mat as soon as you see any traces of damage.

In brief, you should consult electrical safety mat manufacturers. Do this before installing them in your workplace. You should know the specifications of the electrical safety mat before buying. If you are working with voltages up to 11 kV, you should buy an 11 kV insulating mat of IS 15652 standard.

Check if your requirements match the specifications of the safety mat. You should check the dielectric strength and AC-proof voltage of the mat. Check the working voltage that the mat can withstand. Never forget to check the electrical rubber mat price before buying one. Buy your insulated mat according to it!

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