DeadEasy test device available from Redbusbar
A recent survey of electrical engineers at some of Australia’s mines revealed that they view ‘verification of isolation’ as being time consuming, unreliable and potentially dangerous. This view seems to contradict the reason for checking that the isolation is safe in the first place.
The survey revealed that the common methods for determining that equipment was isolated correctly were ‘Attempt a Start’ and ‘Test for Dead’.
The ‘Attempt a Start’ isolation confirmation method requires the user to try to start the equipment that has been isolated. If the equipment is isolated correctly, it does not start.
The success of this verification method depends on the user accurately following a complex procedure. Therefore, results vary due to the user’s skill and environmental pressures such as the ability to hear or view operating machinery.
The ‘Test for Dead’ isolation confirmation method requires an electrician to test for the absence of voltage on the isolated equipment. This proof of isolation method requires an electrician to be potentially exposed to energised electrical equipment. As such, it is potentially dangerous to perform and consumes the company’s electrical resources.
In response, Redbusbar have released the DeadEasy, a 3 phase, ‘Test for Dead’ test device. The DeadEasy provides non-electricians with a simple and safe method of verifying MCC (Motor Control Centre) based electrical isolations.
The DeadEasy produces a positive result by employing a user initiated self test function. Confirming isolations with the DeadEasy is a three step procedure: isolator on = red lamp, isolator off = green lamp, self test activated = red lamp. The DeadEasy installation is also simple and consumes minimal MCC space making it suitable for both new and retrofit applications.
21-Aug-2008