Safety precautions
2-8. Checks to electrical devices
• Repair and maintenance to electrical
components shall include initial
safety checks and component
inspection procedures.
• Initial safety checks shall include but
not limit to:-
-That capacitors are discharged:
this shall be done in a safe manner
to avoid possibility of sparking.
-That there no live electrical
components and wiring are
exposed while charging,
recovering or purging the system.
-That there is continuity of earth
bonding.
• At all times the manufacturer's
maintenance and service guidelines
shall be followed.
• If in doubt consult the manufacturer's
technical department for assistance.
• If a fault exists that could
compromise safety, then no electrical
supply shall be connected to the
circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt
with.
• If the fault cannot be corrected
immediately but it is necessary to
continue operation, an adequate
temporary solution shall be used.
• The owner of the equipment must be
informed or reported so all parties
are advised thereinafter.
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3. Repairs to sealed components
• During repairs to sealed
components, all electrical supplies
shall be disconnected from the
equipment being worked upon prior
to any removal of sealed covers, etc.
• If it is absolutely necessary to have
an electrical supply to equipment
during servicing, then a permanently
operating form of leak detection shall
be located at the most critical point
to warn of a potentially hazardous
situation.
• Particular attention shall be paid
to the following to ensure that by
working on electrical components,
the casing is not altered in such a
way that the level of protection is
affected. This shall include damage
to cables, excessive number of
connections, terminals not made
to original specification, damage to
seals, incorrect fitting of glands, etc.
• Ensure that apparatus is mounted
securely.
• Ensure that seals or sealing
materials have not degraded such
that they no longer serve the
purpose of preventing the ingress of
flammable atmospheres.
• Replacement parts shall be in
accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications.
NOTE: The use of silicon sealant may
inhibit the effectiveness of some types
of leak detection equipment.
Intrinsically safe components do not
have to be isolated prior to working
on them.