The information session on the developments in the standard NEN 3140 Electrical Safety (at low voltage levels 1000VAC and 1500VDC) was attended by an animated group of 40 engineers.

From the many questions, which were asked, during the discussion of the new items in the NEN 3140, it became clear, that almost all attendees, as electrical engineers, installation or work responsible or as trainers, are working the business sector (industry, offshore, shipbuilding, ultiteit, government and training institutes).

Mr ing. Richard Groenewegen guided us in a pleasant, informative and professional way through the new aspects and changes in the new standard NEN 3140 version 10.1 and emphatically indicated which concepts are essential and which (inter)national legal regulations apply and are directly applicable for personal protection.

The aim is to ensure reliable and safe operation of electrical installations and to create conditions for safe work.

Electrical safety for persons is regulated in the NEN 3140 standard for the operation and maintenance of electrical installations and electrically driven machinery.

In addition to the legal requirements, we have the NEN to ensure a safe workplace, But who really knows these legal requirements? Who reads the NEN standards "And more importantly, who applies them? Where does electrical safety begin? Because electrical equipment is used and can therefore become less safe or even dangerous.

If work has to be done on electrical equipment e.g. electrically driven machines, is it safe enough to turn off the automatic fuse? No, there should be a lockable isolating switch (load switch) near the motor that interrupts the main current and the technician can apply his own safety lock to prevent (re)tripping.

And how safe is a universal meter when used in an electrical installation? To handle it safely, the requirements for measuring equipment and measuring pins have been tightened up, and the design (with additional protective caps) of the measuring pins has been tailored to the measurement being performed. This minimises the risk of short circuits in window systems and also ensures the minimum distance for safe working.

Measuring equipment must be periodically inspected, labelled and entered in a register (the latter is not compulsory, but strongly recommended).

Does a professional, who has mastered the profession for years, still need to be retrained? Yes, he or she should be regularly updated on the changes in NEN 3140, as a further elaboration of the ARBO law with tightened procedures and working methods.

To the question "And what should an organisation arrange to ensure, that everything is regulated and safeguarded?" Companies are legally obliged to implement the assignment of responsibilities, powers and duties to electrical engineering personnel and to arrange this properly with, for example, an Electrical Safety Management System based on the model in European EN-NEN 50110, with NEN 3140 version 10.1 providing further details, conditions and requirements for the Dutch situation.

In order to be able to assess the condition of electrical busbar systems, switch boxes, group boxes and electrical installations, insurers strongly recommend carrying out thermographic examinations. N.B. rack systems should be suitable, i.e. bare copper does not emit infrared radiation.

In practice, however, removing the shielding in the cabinets of busbar systems, switch boxes and distribution boxes can lead to dangerous situations. When designing the rail system or cabinet, consideration should be given to being able to take thermographic measurements safely.

After the talk, Mr Groeneneweg gave a demonstration with a group box on how to carry out thermographic measurements.

In the accompanying presentations, the first lists the most important new aspects ind e NEN 3140 Version 10.1 and the second explicitly lists the changes in NEN 3140 Version 10.1.

The next information session Developments in electrical safety in new "NEN 3840 High Voltage" will be given on 13 February 2019. You can already registerfor this

How is electrical safety regulated?

Besides all kinds of legal requirements, we also have NEN standards that ensure safe workplaces.
But who really knows the legal requirements?
Who reads the NEN standards? And more importantly, who applies them?

Where does electrical safety start?

Manufacturers supply safe electrical equipment and installers lay safe electrical installations. What else can go wrong?
Well, if only the world of electrical engineering were that simple....

Electrical equipment is used and can therefore become less safe or even dangerous.

Electrical equipment is being worked on. Is it really safe enough to turn off the automatic fuse? And how safe is using a universal meter in an electrical installation?

Does a professional, who has mastered the trade for years, still need to be retrained?

And what should an organisation regulate to ensure that everything is regulated and safeguarded?

The NEN 3140 Electrical Safety standard (current edition 01-10-2011) regulates the operation of electrical installations and electrical equipment.

Ing Richard Groenewegen will provide a compact information session "Developments in electrical safety, new NEN 3140" especially for the KIVI Department of Electrical Engineering. Richard Groenewegen is a member of the standards committee that drafted this updated NEN 3140. He is director of an inspection company and a training company and has specialised in this matter for many years.

Besides theory, demonstrations on safe-working methods and inspection methods will also be given.

"As an electrical specialist, you cannot afford to be left behind!"

Come to the NEN 3140 information session!!!

Speaker

ing. Richard Groenewegen subject specialist and member of the NEN 3140 Electrical Safety Standards Committee

Documents