Technical measures to prevent electric shock

I. Direct Contact Electrical Protection Measures

Direct contact with electricity can be dangerous, so it's essential to implement proper protective measures. These include:

1. Insulation – This involves covering live parts with insulating materials to prevent direct contact. However, using paint or lacquer as the only form of insulation is not sufficient and should be combined with other methods.

2. Barriers and Fences – These are physical structures used to block access to live parts. They serve both to prevent accidental contact and to warn people about potential dangers.

3. Obstacles – These are used to prevent unintentional contact with live parts, but they do not stop someone from intentionally bypassing them.

4. Spacing – Maintaining a safe distance between people and live parts is crucial. If tools are used normally, the required spacing should be increased to ensure safety.

5. Safety Signs – Clear warning signs help raise awareness and prevent accidental exposure to electrical hazards.

6. Residual Current Devices (RCDs) – These devices detect leakage currents and cut off the power supply quickly. They should be used as an additional layer of protection, not as a standalone solution. The operating current should not exceed 30 mA.

7. Safe Voltage – Using appropriate low voltages based on the working environment helps reduce the risk of electric shock.

II. Indirect Contact Electrical Protection Measures

Indirect contact occurs when a person touches a conductive part that has become live due to a fault. To protect against this, the following measures are recommended:

1. Automatic Disconnection – This involves using automated systems to cut off the power supply quickly in case of a fault, reducing the risk of contact voltage.

2. Enhanced Insulation – Equipment with double or reinforced insulation provides better protection. This ensures that even if the main insulation fails, there’s still a layer of protection.

3. Non-Conductive Environment – Creating an environment where the floor and walls are insulated can prevent people from touching two different potentials at once, which is especially important during insulation failure.

4. Equipotential Bonding – Connecting all accessible conductive parts ensures that no dangerous voltage difference exists between them, minimizing the risk of electric shock.

5. Electrical Isolation – Using isolation transformers or generators prevents direct contact with live parts. The isolated circuit must remain separate from other circuits and its voltage should not exceed 500V.