What is BS EN 50508-Requirements and test methods for multi-purpose insulating sticks about?
BS EN 50508 is a European standard on multi-purpose sticks that discusses the requirements and test methods for multi-purpose insulating sticks to protect workers from electrical shock.
BS EN 50508 specifies the requirements and tests to be fulfilled by the multipurpose insulating sticks intended to perform a range of operations in high voltage installations by means of the attached appropriate tools, for example:
- Connection and disconnection of disconnectors or other equipment operated by the stick
- Fuse replacement with an attached tool
Operations like:
- Voltage absence verification, using a detector as a separate device in accordance with EN 61243-1
- Earthing and short-circuiting installations, using devices in accordance with EN 61230
- Placing insulating screens to provide protection against adjacent live parts
- Testing and measurement
- Any other operation or verification on the electrical installation provided that the mechanical requirements do not exceed those assured by the stick design and the worker shall remain at a safety distance
- Rescue of accident victims
BS EN 50508 is applicable to the insulating sticks made of a single continuous tube or rod or multiple tubes or rod sections connected to each other, to be used both indoors or outdoors on electrical systems for voltages of 1 kV to 765 kV a.c., frequencies of 50 Hz and/or 60 Hz and in the normal range of temperatures of -25 ºC to +55 ºC and at a relative humidity between 20 % and 93 %. For the purpose of BS EN 50508, “tube” is used for “tube” and “rod”.
Note1: BS EN 50508 is not applicable to
- Sticks covered by EN 60832
- Telescopic sticks covered by EN 62193
- Sticks with mobile internal or external operating rods, as those used directly for fuse replacement
- Single-purpose sticks, specially designed to cover a single operation, as a complete
- Equipment such as voltage detectors covered by EN 61243-1
Note2: It is a general practice to use an insulating stick on d.c. installations with the same value of nominal voltage. That use shall comply with the national regulations.
Note3: Except where otherwise specified, all the voltages defined in BS EN 50508 refer to values of phase-to-phase voltages of three-phase systems. In other systems, the applicable phase-to-phase or phase-to-earth (ground) voltages should be used to determine the operating voltage.
Who is BS EN 50508-Requirements and test methods for multi-purpose insulating sticks for?
BS EN 50508 on the requirements and test methods for multi-purpose insulating sticks is useful for:
- Multi-purpose insulating sticks manufacturers
- Multi-purpose insulating sticks test personnel
- Occupational health and safety departments
- Quality assurance departments
Why should you use BS EN 50508-Requirements and test methods for multi-purpose insulating sticks?
Multipurpose insulating sticks are used to operate high voltage (more than 1 kV) live equipment at distance, such as opening and closing switchgear, extracting, and replacing fuses, etc. They are also used to carry out operations prior to dead working, as in the case of voltage verification, earthing and short-circuiting, etc.
BS EN 50508 provides you with guidance on the requirements, materials, dimensions, marking, information for use, verification and testing, classification of defects, etc.
The requirements and test methods provided by BS EN 50508 assist you in improving the performance and quality of the multi-purpose insulating sticks and ensuring protection to end-users against electrical hazards.
With obedience and compliance to BS EN 50508, you can enhance multi-purpose insulating sticks’ effectiveness and efficacy and manufacture a standardized high-quality product.
