Dielectric gloves are one of the means to protect against current when working with electrical installations. They are made of special rubber, which includes substances that give the product elasticity and electric strength, however, such a material also tends to break down under the influence of oils, gasoline, heat or mechanical stress.
There are two types of dielectric gloves for their intended purpose:
- Suitable for use in electrical installations where the voltage is not more than 1000 V.
- Suitable for the operation of electrical installations where the voltage is higher than 1000 V. In this case, dielectric gloves serve as an additional means of protection when working with basic safety equipment (high voltage indicators, rods, protective and electrical clamps , etc.).
Without the use of additional protective equipment, an independent isolating device is used when working with disconnector drives, circuit breakers and other equipment where the voltage is more than 1000 V.
To do this, wear gloves to their full depth, pulling on the sleeves of clothing. It is not permissible to roll a bell.
On sale you can meet several types of this protective agent:
- seamless dielectric gloves;
- with a seam;
- two-fingered;
- five-fingered.
Regardless of this, the same requirements apply to all types of gloves:
- their length should be at least 350 cm;
- mandatory presence of marking;
- the size of the gloves must be such that knitted gloves can be worn under them, for example, when working in the cold;
- the width of the bell should be sufficient to put it over the sleeve.
Dielectric gloves: features of use
Before use, they should be carefully examined for mechanical damage, contamination and lack of moisture, as well as to check for punctures: twist the gloves towards the fingers.
Each time before use, the dielectric gloves must be checked by filling them with air to identify through holes that can cause electric shock.
To protect against mechanical damage, it is permissible to wear leather or canvas gloves over dielectric gloves.
Periodically, gloves should be washed in soapy water, followed by drying.
How to test dielectric gloves
They must be completely immersed in a bath of warm water. Water is also poured inside the gloves. At the same time, the water level both inside and outside the gloves should be five centimeters below the upper edges, which should remain dry.
Within one minute, a test voltage of 6 kV is applied between the bath body and the electrode, which is lowered inside the glove. If desired, it is possible to test several pairs at once, but it is necessary to control the value of the current passing through each glove. It should be no more than 6 mA.
When breakdown or exceeding the normalized current indicator, gloves are rejected, and their further operation is strictly prohibited.