The IEC 60900 standard is an international standard that establishes the requirements that insulated hand tools must meet for work in voltage up to 1,000 V in alternating current and 1,500 V in direct current.
This standard aims to ensure the safety of workers who perform tasks near or in areas where there is electrical voltage, avoiding the risk of electric shock or arc flash.
How important is the IEC 60900 standard in the use of industrial tools?
The importance of this standard lies in the fact that insulated industrial tools are an essential element for the prevention of occupational accidents in the electricity sector. These must be designed and manufactured in such a way as to offer adequate protection against the penetration of electrical voltage, both in the handle and in the active part of the tool. In addition, they must withstand the environmental and mechanical conditions to which they are subjected during use.
The requirements to comply with IEC 60900
To ensure compliance with IEC 60900, 1000Vinsulated tools must undergo a series of tests to verify their quality and strength. These tests include type tests for design validation, routine tests for production control, and individual tests for each tool. Among the most important trials are the following:
- Applied voltage test: It consists on applying a voltage of 10,000 V for one minute between the active part and the handle of the tool and checking that no current passage occurs.
- Adhesion test: consists on subjecting the tool to an axial force and checking that there is no displacement between the handle and the active part.
- Impact test: consists on hitting the tool with a hammer from a certain height and checking that there are no cracks or breaks in the insulation.
- Flammability test: consists on exposing the tool to a flame for a certain time and checking that there is no ignition or dripping of the insulating material.
The risks of not complying with IEC 60900
Failure to follow IEC 60900 poses serious risks to the health and lives of workers handling isolated hand tools. Some of these risks are:
- Electric shock: it is the passage of electric current through the human body, which can cause from burns to cardiac or respiratory arrest.
- Electric arc: it is a luminous discharge that occurs between two electrical conductors or between a conductor and the earth, which can generate high temperatures, explosions, or projection of incandescent particles.
- Fire or explosion: It’s the rapid and violent combustion of a flammable material due to contact with a heat source or an electric spark.
Therefore, it is essential to follow the IEC 60900 standard and use insulated hand tools certified by a competent body. In this way, the safety of workers is guaranteed and occupational accidents with serious or fatal consequences are avoided.
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