1. 9 Checks to electrical devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall include initial safety checks and
component inspection procedures. lf a fault exists that could compromise safety, then
no electrical supply shall be connected to the circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt with.
lf the fault cannot be corrected immediately but it is necessary to continue operation,
an adequate temporary solution shall be used. This shall be reported to the owner of
the equipment so all parties are advised. lnitial safety checks shall include:
• that capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid
• that there no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging,
• that there is continuity of earth bonding.
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REPAIRS TO SEALED COMPONENTS
2.1 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. lf 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.
2.2 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. lntrinsically safe components do not have to be isolated
prior to working on them.
3
REPAIR TO INTRINSICALLY SAFE COMPONENTS
Do not apply any permanent inductive or capacitance loads to the circuit without
ensuring that this will not exceed the permissible voltage and current permitted
tor the equipment in use.
lntrinsically safe components are the only types that can be worked on while live
in the presence of a flammable atmosphere. The test apparatus shall be at the
correct rating.
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containing components, unless the components are constructed of materials
which are inherently resistant to being corroded or are suitably protected
against being so corroded.
possibility of sparking;
recovering or purging the system;