best practices in electrical safety by er. edward low kah loong

Electrical Safety

1

Observing Electrical Safety

in Workplaces

10th July 2014

Presenter :

Er. Edward LowEngineering Director

Quality Power Management Pte Ltd

Mr Edward Low Kah Loong, Engineering Director

A Singapore-Registered Professional Engineer

Graduated from the University of Tennessee, with aBachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.Sc.)

Twelve years with SP PowerGrid Ltd. as a DeputyDirector and an authorised switching engineer operating

up to 66kV voltage level.

An ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer.

Represented Singapore in the ASEANs Heads OfASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities (HAPUA) as the

Chairman of HAPUA Working Group that focuses on

Distribution and Power Reliability & Quality.

Was instrumental in formulating many SP PowerGridstandard operating procedures as well as maintenance

standards, especially in the area of predictive

maintenance.

Er. Edward Low

Introduction

Electrical Safety

2

Overall View of Electrical Safety

- Regulatory Aspects

Type of

Installation

Code of Practice

Permanent

Installations

SS CP 5:1998 Electrical Installations

SS CP 555: 2010 (formerly CP 33) Lightning Protection

SS 538:2008 (formerly CP 17) Maintenance of Electrical Equipment of Electrical Installation

SS 551:2009 (formerly CP 16) Earthing

Temporary

Installations

SS CP 88-1:2001 Construction and Building Sites

SS CP 88-2:2001 Festive Lighting, Trade Fairs, Mini-Fairs

and Exhibition Sites

SS CP 88-3:2001 Ship-Building and Ship-Repairing Yards

Electrical Safety

3

14 Items to be Registered/Approved from Spring Singapore Before Use

1. 3-pin rectangular type 13-Amp plugs2. Fuses ( less than or equal to 13 amperes ) for

use in plugs 3. 3-pin round type 15-Amp plugs 4. Multi-way Adaptors 5. 3-pin Portable Socket-outlets 6. Portable Cable Reels 7. Instantaneous Electric Water Heaters8. Mains Pressure Electric Storage Water Heaters


14 Prescribed Items9. Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers 10. 3-pin 13-Amp Switched Socket-outlets11. 3-pin round type 15-Amp Switched Socket-

outlets 12. 13-Amp Wall Switch 13. Ballasts14. Isolating Transformers


Electrical Safety

4

Safety Equipment


Non-compliance Temporary Supply Switchboard not secured

DB was just sitting on top of hollow block; not secured Rectified - DB mounted on stand

Electrical Safety

5

Non-Compliance - Wrong Polarity. Temporary DB with male sockets connected to Live

9

Earth Work and Cable Protection

Electrical Safety

6

Arc Flash Safety

Arc Flash and Blast

Electrical Safety

7

Arc Flash and Blast

Arc Flash

Point of Arc Flash Temperature 35,000F

This heat can cause molten metals to vaporise and produce a plasma fireball

Expansion of super-heated air & vaporizing metals will create extreme pressure

This can cause great danger

Electrical Safety

8

An LEWs Perspective

Before Stepping Into A Switchroom:

Smell for ionization, foul or burning smell

Hear for humming, hissing or rapid energizing andde-energizing of contactors

See, look out for irregularities like improper installation,broken handle of MCCB or sign of water seepage. Donot step or touch the water surrounding the switchboard, it could be live

Feel the heat in the switch room

Touch for vibration, surface temperature

Best Practices to Ensure Electrical Safety

Competency

Electrical Safety

9


Maintain Good Housekeeping

Areas like passageway, surrounding of switch room

should be kept clear


Quality of Work

Loose cable dangling without mechanical protection

Electrical Safety

10


Quality of Work

Lightning conductor removed by roof

retrofitting contractor


Pest Control

Ensure rodent bait is used

Electrical Safety

11


Signs of Overheating

Check for any overloading or overheating on the main

switchboard as the surface should not be hot and does

not produce any unusual/ excessive humming sound


Electrical Safety

12


Burnt Air Circuit Breaker


Expired or Soon-To-Be Expired

Fire Extinguishers

Electrical Safety

13


On-Time Servicing

Servicing regime should follow the Maintenance Matrix

in SS 538: 2008 published by SPRING Singapore

What Makes A Good Inspection Report?

Clear (eg. Refers to Regulations / Photos)

Accurate

Detailed

Timely

Provides Advisory

Electrical Safety

14

An Inspection Report Sample


Electrical Safety

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Report and Defect List

Received and Acted Upon by Management Quickly!

Electrical Safety

16

Its All In The Details1. Maintenance Regime (Servicing, Inspection etc.)2. Accessibility / Housekeeping (Cleanliness, Eqpt. etc)3. Improper Installation4. Protection Systems5. Protection Against Spillage / Rodents6. Instrument & Indicating Lights7. Protective Relays8. Readings Loading / Temperature9. Signs of Overheating10. Excessive Humming Noise11. Fire Extinguisher

Inspection Findings

Er. Edward LowEngineering DirectorQuality Power Management Pte Ltd 16 Boon Lay Way, #01-43 Tradehub21Singapore 609965www.qpower.com.sg

best practices in electrical safety by er. edward low kah loong

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