For an electrical system to be considered high voltage, it typically needs to operate above standard building voltages, meaning that it exceeds 600 to 1,000 volts. It’s very common to find these high-voltage setups in commercial facilities where business operations involve using large industrial machinery and other heavy electrical equipment. No matter the setup or operational practices, working on a high-voltage electrical system requires specialized training and proper licensing to help prevent costly equipment damage and serious injuries.
Lockout/Tagout Procedures
When an electrician comes to your commercial building to work on a high-voltage electrical system, they will first go through a lockout/tagout procedure that ensures there isn’t any energy running through the lines. This procedure entails isolating the primary power feeds, placing padlocks on the switchgear or disconnects, and then tagging out the equipment so it can’t be accidentally or purposefully turned back on. Even after all these steps are completed, the electrician will then use advanced calibrated testing equipment to confirm zero-energy verification before starting any work to complete the project or repair at hand.
Insulated Tools Specifically Designed for High-Voltage Work
Standard tools from a local hardware store will not provide protection in commercial high-voltage environments. This is why licensed commercial electricians have special hand tools that feature dual-layer dielectric insulation that’s usually rated up to 1,000 volts or higher. In doing so, they have extra protection against electrical current bridging through the operator, whether it be from accidental contact or damaged insulation. They also wear dielectric rubber gloves with leather protectors at all times when handling energized electrical equipment. Furthermore, they put on arc-rated face shields that deliver protection against arc flashes and flying debris (sparks, superheated metal, and other projectiles).
Grounding and Bonding High-Voltage Systems
Proper grounding and bonding are essential to keeping the commercial space safe. Both help prevent dangerous fault currents from traveling through unintended paths that could injure workers and damage machinery. Electricians will often put temporary protective grounding in place after verifying the system has been completely de-energized. The purpose of this is to add an extra layer of protection in case the system was to become accidentally energized while they’re performing maintenance or repairs.
When you’re searching for an electrician to work on your high-voltage electrical system, you need to look for one that has several years of experience with commercial electrical work. An electrician who has only worked on residential systems will not be familiar with the specialized tools and technical skills needed to reduce the risk of arc flashes and electrical faults when performing wiring upgrades, adding new switchgear or transformers, or replacing faulty high-voltage components. The last thing you want is for a small electrical problem, like a loose connection or failing breaker, to turn into a major electrical failure that puts you, your workers, customers, and building in harm’s way. When you need commercial electrical services in Eugene, OR, contact Excel Electric.