Hi,
I have a question that I have often wondered about.
For a work-bench or similar area in which live circuits are operated without protective coverings many recommend using isolation mats or boots. If these are properly maintained it is easy to understand that touching a live part with such isolation is safe.
However as I see it, when using such personal isolation there is a larger hazard. Since the live circuit is open and the person in question is probing various parts of the circuit there is a relatively high risk that one touches simultaneously two parts of the circuit that are at a different potential. As I understand it in that case there is really nothing to protect you. You are isolated from earth so the RCD will not detect any leakage and you are basically just a load in the circuit.
On the other hand if there is a good path to earth the RCD will trip as soon as you touch one of the live parts and you are safe.
So my question is: Is it really safer to wear isolation material ? If yes what can be done to protect in the event of touching different potentials simultaneously ?
Thanks
I have a question that I have often wondered about.
For a work-bench or similar area in which live circuits are operated without protective coverings many recommend using isolation mats or boots. If these are properly maintained it is easy to understand that touching a live part with such isolation is safe.
However as I see it, when using such personal isolation there is a larger hazard. Since the live circuit is open and the person in question is probing various parts of the circuit there is a relatively high risk that one touches simultaneously two parts of the circuit that are at a different potential. As I understand it in that case there is really nothing to protect you. You are isolated from earth so the RCD will not detect any leakage and you are basically just a load in the circuit.
On the other hand if there is a good path to earth the RCD will trip as soon as you touch one of the live parts and you are safe.
So my question is: Is it really safer to wear isolation material ? If yes what can be done to protect in the event of touching different potentials simultaneously ?
Thanks