Posted By Richard Beevers I need some real expert advice from someone electrically competent. Please dont refer me to HSG85, EIS 35-38 or the EAWR, or BS EN 60529. When is a live adjacent conductor "suitably covered with insulating material so as to prevent danger"? Can is be thought of in terms of IP ratings? All of our switchboards are at least IP2 rated for their internal curcuits, and most have perspex screens as well. Some of our electrical staff work with adjacent circuits live. Some are insistant that the whole of a pabel / swichboard must be isolated and racked out before working on any circuit within in. If there is any caselaw on this I'd really appreciate it. Am getting grief from both sides, each of whom thinks the other is to risk averse / risk taking. Regards, Al.

Posted By Rich E Hi Richard, I'm not sure I can give you a definitive answer, but as it happens I have been considering this kind of issue from a manufacturers perspective today after a customer asked a similar question. Switchgear made to meet IP2X or IPXXB is subject to a test with a 'standard' 12mm finger approaching from the front. It usually means that conductors are protected only against accidental contact, and not if you start poking fingers in to things. The danger tends to be when working, stray wires, tools, etc can accidentally touch live parts. For example I've seen flashovers caused by armour strands poking round barriers. Unless a panel is constructed strictly to form 4, for example, adjacent circuits may be accessible, albeit via very narrow gaps. We have always worked on the acceptability that IP2X is suitable for working on adjacent circuits live, but many customers are beginning to require supplementary solid insulation (polycarbonate screens) to prevent the above problems. BS7671 suggests IP2X is satisfactory, again this is not infallible and only provides protection against accidental contact. Anyone working on such equipment should be aware of the dangers and we consider a ‘competent’ person should be able to safely work. Some customers are happy working live on equipment which has minimal shrouding, where others still isolate the entire unit on fully shrouded kit. As usual it is a matter of risk assessment and whether isolation can reasonably be carried out, this is the eternal question. From my experience total shrouding is possible, but would be prohibitively expensive for most commercial equipment. Hope this helps, but I may have more guidance if needed. Rich

Posted By Paul Skyrme Sorry, Just remembered this! http://www.hse.gov.uk/el...ty/maintenance/touch.htm Hope this helps? Paul