The correct handling and maintenance of the equipment contributes towards upholding the product’s protective capacity. Tools should be kept clean and dry as well as protected against damage during use, transport and storage. Earthing and short-circuiting equipment shall be handled with great care and be thoroughly inspected before each application.
Earthing equipment must be checked regularly according to the checklist below to ensure that the tools work safely and reliably. Damage of cable insulation or exposure of bare cable conductor shall be regarded as a serious fault and disposal should be considered.
A more extensive inspection, a so called “recurring test” shall be carried out by an authorized inspector and should be executed annually or perhaps with a shorter interval for equipment exposed to great wear and tear, see “Services” alternatively “Products – Maintenance of earthing equipment”.
NOTE: A device that has been exposed to short-circuit current shall be disposed of unless it is proved by thorough investigation, calculation and inspection, that the exposure has been too moderate to give any negative mechanical or thermal effects. If there is any doubt as to the perfect condition of the device, it shall be disposed of.
1. Corrosion damage
Check for signs of corrosive damage to contact surfaces on Line clamps/Earth clamps. If defected, the surfaces must be cleaned. If heavy corrosion is detected the clamps should be replaced.
Insure that the clamping screw can be easily fully drawn.
2. Cable lug connection
Check the cable lug’s connection to the clamp – the screw must be firmly tightened and the cable lug firmly attached.
Check for breaks on cable lugs. Damaged cable lugs have to be replaced.
Twisted (not broken) cable lugs can be adjusted to the correct position. After this, check for breaks and check the tightening torque. If the screw must be tightened, the spring washer must be replaced as it has lost some of its locking capacity.
3. Damaged cable connection
The most common damage on an earthing device can be found on the cable connection. Check that no cable strands are damaged. If a strand is damage the cable should be re-pressed. When the wires are intact, insulation damage can be temporarily repaired using vulcanized tape or similar material.
4. Damaged Cable
Check for any damage on the cables. A damaged cable (strand breakage) must be replaced. Insulation damage can be temporarily repaired using vulcanized tape or similar material.
5. Dirty insulating poles
Insulating poles must be free of moisture and contamination. The poles shoul be cleaned with acetone or industrial alcohol in a well ventilated space. The poles should then be treated with silicone. Silicone of type DC 200 100 cSt is applied with a clean cloth.
6. Damaged Pole
Inspect for damaged poles. If damage is severe, replace the pole.
7. Damaged Connection Fitting
Inspect the connection fitting for damage. If damaged, replace with new fitting.
8. Damaged Connection Fitting
Inspect the connection fitting for damage. If damaged, replace with new fitting.
