ISOLATION AND EARTHING

For the safety of both men and equipment, the procedures below should be strictly adhered to:

Standard Isolation Procedure

1. COMMUNICATION
 The electrician should inform all people concerned
 The electrician should organize the shutdown in good time, giving details to all trades who are likely to work on the same piece
of equipment
2. IDENTIFY
 The electrician should ensure that the apparatus to be isolated is positively identified
 The electrician should be conversant with the plant and equipment
3. SWITCH OFF
 The apparatus should be switched off correctly from both the local and remote switches
4. ISOLATE
 To isolate means to carry out a physical disconnection, which is the actual physical parting of contacts
NB: The unit is NOT isolated if it is not locked off.
5. TEST
 Test by switching on from both local and remote switches to ensure the unit is off.
 Test for dead using approved testing equipment and method
 The testing must be witnesses by another competent person.
6. EARTH
 Before the unit is connected to earth discharge the circuit to earth first
 Then make a firm connection to earth using approved gadgets

NB: Ensure disconnected item is at earth potential

7. LOCK OFF
 Secure against accidental or intentional operation of the switchgear by applying a padlock and keep your key.
 Other trades working on the same unit must also lock off and keep their keys.
  Remember your life is yours and the responsibility to look after it is solely yours.
8. COMMUNICATION
 Display danger notice to warn other users not to temper with the unit without your approval
9. CONCLUSION
 Ensure that all 8 steps above are followed before you commence to do any task on an electrical driven plant/apparatus,(i.e.
communicate, identify, switch off, isolate, test, earth, and lock off, display danger notice.)
 Avoid taking short cuts, which is result of bad habits.
 Work safe, stay safe, your family and your company depends on you
 Safety is an individual’s responsibility.

ISOLATION OF A MOTOR (SINGLE LOAD)

MOTOR ISOLATION PROCEDURE

 Shut down the plant according to the shutdown procedure

 Open the circuit breaker( stop the load)
 Rack out the circuit breaker
 Lock off the bus-bar and circuit shutters
 Display danger notice

If the work is being done on the supply cable or the motor, continue as stated below:
  Test the circuit for dead
 Select circuit earth position
 Rack in the circuit breaker
 Close the circuit breaker
 Inhibit the trip mechanism
 Issue the Permit – To- Work

MOTOR RESTORATION

 Cancel the Permit – To – Work

 Able the trip mechanism
 Open the circuit breaker
 Rack out the circuit breaker
 Select the service position
 Close the circuit breaker(to start motor/load)
 Run the plant normally

TRANSFORMER ISOLATION

SINGLE TRANSFORMER FEEDING A BOARD

S/N Location Equipment Action

1 Shut down the loads
2 Substation Name Incomer from the transformer Open The circuit breaker
Rack Out the circuit Breaker
Lock off the bus-bar and circuit shutters
Display Danger Notice
3 Substation Name Feeder to the Transformer Open The circuit breaker
Rack out the Circuit breaker
Lock off the bus bar shutter
Test the circuit for dead
Select Circuit Earth and rack in the circuit breaker
Close the circuit breaker
Inhibit the trip mechanism
Display Danger Notice
4 Substation Name Incomer from the transformer Test the circuit for dead
Select Circuit Earth
Rack in the Circuit Breaker
Inhibit the trip mechanism
5 Issue a Permit – To - Work
RESTORATION

S/N Location Equipment Action

1 Cancel the Permit- to - Work
2 Substation Name Incomer from the Transformer Able the trip mechanism
Open the circuit breaker
Rack out the circuit breaker
Select the service position
3 Substation Name Feeder to the Transformer Able the trip mechanism
Open the circuit breaker
Rack out the circuit breaker
Select the service position
Rack in the circuit breaker
Close in the circuit breaker
4 Substation Name Incomer from the Transformer Rack in the circuit breaker
Close the circuit breaker
5 Restart the loads, and normalize
TESTING INSTRUMENTS

1. HIGH VOLTAGE INDICATOR

This instrument is made of insulation material and equipped with a glow lamp of suitable range. Variation in design can be found. Some
do have inbuilt function tester. This equipment should be tested and logged in the testing book clearly indicating the last test date.
Caution:
o Keep indicator always dry and dust free
o Test the function before and after use
o Hold the tester on its grip always

2. PHASING STICK
 The phasing stick can also be used as a voltage tester. Its fitted with a voltmeter. The reading is taken between line and earth and in
instances between phases.
o Firstly, connect the flexible lead to earth
o Secondly, touch the line with the tip of the stick
o Thirdly, Observe the voltmeter

If any indication or reading is observed on the voltmeter, then the line is live.

NB: always test all phases and the Tester itself should be tested

The phasing sticks provide a means of phase comparison at the point of paralleling two circuits, without the interposition of voltage
transformers or secondary wiring circuits. Supply from different feeders meant to be interconnected must be phased out before connection.

In any electrical circuit, Potential difference exists. Only conductors with no potential difference when live can be connected together.

“Phasing Out” means, testing a live conductor of a feeder against all the live conductors of another feeder to find one giving a zero reading. They
can then be connected together once phased out.

NB: DO NOT Touch exposed conductors unless they are made dead and have been discharged and or Earthed

Picture:

3. EARTHING STICK
 It is more like a phasing stick but without any instruments. It is mostly used to discharge lines or cables after tests
Electric lines act like capacitors (stored charge), hence they must be discharged before any job commences.

Picture

Earthing Sticks are flame retardant insulated rods used for directing the connections of earth devices foe earthing purposes.
Earthing Sticks should only be used after the usual method of “making safe” has been performed. Equipment should be switched off,
isolated and earthed, and in addition to this, the use of an earthing Stick gives good back- up protection.
4. SPIKING GUN
Picture:

When its intended to work on any Electrical Power Cable, either for the purpose of carrying out repairs or for tap arranging additional
feeders, it is vital that special precautions be taken to secure the safety of the employees. After the cable has been made dead and
connected to earth at the point of supply, metal hacksaw or cutters are used to cut the cable usually.