16th Edition (reference only) – NOW superseded by the 17th Edition IEE Regulations.

chapter 5
Earthing

chapter 6
Circuits

Installation control and protection
  3.1 - Introduction 3.5 - High temperature protection
  3.2 - Switching 3.6 - Overload currents
  3.3 - Isolation 3.7 - Protection from faults
3.4 - Electric shock protection

3.8 - Short circuit and overload
------- protection


3.4.5 -  Direct contact protection

The methods of preventing direct contact are mainly concerned with making sure that people cannot touch live conductors. These methods include:

1. - the insulation of live parts - this is the standard method. The insulated conductors should be further protected by sheathing, conduit, etc.

2. - the provision of barriers, obstacles or enclosures to prevent touching (IP2X). Where surfaces are horizontal and accessible, IP4X protection (solid objects wider than 1 mm are excluded - see {Table 2.4}), applies

3. - placing out of reach or the provision of obstacles to prevent people from reaching live parts

4. - the provision of residual current devices (RCDs) provides supplementary protection {5.9} but only when contact is from a live part to an earthed part.

 

Return to top of page

Extracted from The Electricians Guide Fifth Edition
by John Whitfield

Published by EPA Press Click Here to order your Copy.

Click here for list of abbreviations