Dielectric mats: varieties, quality, purpose

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Dielectric mats are used as an additional measure of protection when working with high voltage electrical installations. The material from which the product is made must meet the established requirements. Depending on the purpose, the size of the litter is selected, and the storage time upon purchase, which is limited to three years, is also taken into account.

Purpose of products

Dielectric mats are additional protective equipment. High potential can penetrate individual equipment: gloves, boots, used current measurement devices. In places where there are ungrounded metal stands or when the floor is very wet, such measures are simply necessary.

Rules for the operation of electrical installations under voltage up to and above 1000 V require the use of dielectric mats. When working with any increased voltage, a corrugated surface made of a special material is laid under the feet of the personnel. It is resistant not only to potential, but also to oils, mechanical wear.

Requirements for protective products

Dielectric mats meet the requirements of regulatory documents: GOST4997-75. The material of the product is able to withstand numerous bending cycles. The shelf life in the warehouse is 3 years, after which the manufacturer recommends changing the protective equipment. This is due to the properties of rubber to change composition under the influence of air: it tans, becomes brittle, loses its ability to insulate surfaces.

The surface of the mat is grooved and anti-slip, the groove depth is about 1-3mm. The material is able to withstand voltages up to 20 kV with a frequency of 50 Hz. The leakage current is measured, which does not exceed 16 ohm A/sq. m. The structure of the appearance should be uniform, it is dominated by dark tones.

Varieties of protective equipment

The products are divided into the following types:

• Ordinary dielectric mat, execution price is low, service life is limited.
• Oil-resistant is used in aggressive environments. Often placed on coasters.

Depending on the application conditions, the dielectric mat has a fixed size. The price depends on the dimensions. Products are divided by standard values:

• Length 500-1000 mm. They can be more than 1000 mm and up to 8 m. The cost is from 100 to 500 rubles.
• Width - 500-1200 mm.
• Thickness - 6±1 mm.

Specialized dielectric mats are sold at prices above 500 rubles. Stands, depending on the design, can cost several thousand rubles. Unique custom-made products (according to the customer's drawing) havecontractual payment and production time.

In humid environments, the use of an insulating pad is recommended. It is a dielectric surface of high rigidity, placed on legs of a similar material. The height of products starts from 70 mm. The flooring is laid out from wooden bars with a gap of more than 30 mm. For the legs, special insulators such as CH-6 are used. Additional protection can be provided by a rubber mat lined on the surface of the stand.

Checking protective equipment

Dielectric rubber mat and insulating pad are subject to periodic diagnostics for breakdown and integrity of materials. Before use, an external inspection of the mats is carried out, a check for cracks in the material is carried out during the bending of the plastic structure. Stands are recommended to be inspected for the presence of chips on the legs and bedding.

If defects are found, mats, flooring and other protective equipment must be replaced. If the stands do not move, then the diagnosis is carried out at least once every 3 years. If the defect can be eliminated, then it is necessary to test the dielectric for breakdown in accordance with the standards.

To avoid premature wear of rubber coatings, it is recommended to observe the following rules for using products:

• Mat storage is carried out at a temperature of 20-25 degrees.
• Before using the coatings that were brought from the frost, you need to let them warm up in a warm room for about a day.
• Oiled surfaces immediatelycleaned without the use of alcohol solutions so that the rubber does not harden.
• Personnel must not use wet mats at work.
• In cold rooms, a specialized dielectric mat, gloves, stands are used. There are products that can withstand temperatures from -50 to +80 degrees.

Additional protections

While working in high voltage cabinets with an electric winch, insulating devices are required:

• gloves are used not only for measurements, welders wear them to isolate from the ground;
• boots, rubber boots, galoshes;
• insulating rods for measuring electrical parameters;
• face shield required to protect eyes;
• plastic helmet refers to dielectrics;
• specialized electric arc kits;
• during the PPR, the current-carrying parts located in the work area are covered with rubber dielectrics.

Personnel serving high-voltage installations are given specialized heat-resistant suits. To work at height, ladders and ladders with dielectric inserts are used.