• • • SAFETY IN ENGINEERING • • •


Northern Powergrid engineers test arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD products


Northern Powergrid received detailed feedback when its electrical engineers put their new arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD jackets, salopettes, hoods and coveralls to the test during some of harshest storm conditions the UK has experienced. Jonas Andersson, sales associate UK at GORE-TEX Professional explains the processes involved


L


eading companies increasingly recognise the benefits in investing in durable, comfortable and superior quality PPE for their employees,


particularly those working daily in changeable weather conditions but with the potential thermal hazards of electric arc flash. Northern Powergrid workers had remarked that


the traditional wet weather PPE provided was bulky and heavy, often too warm to wear during strenuous work and that it took a long time to re- dry after a shift. When working with live electrical systems there is always a remote risk of a worker being exposed to an incident involving a high temperature arc flash. Such incidents are extremely rare but


nevertheless, companies need to protect engineers by procuring Class 2 arc rated protective workwear with flame retardant properties. Garments which are Class 2 arc rated refer to


the protection level of European Norm IEC 61482-1- 2 (Box test), which stands for: protective clothing against the thermal hazard of an electric arc. For wearer comfort, garments need to be


lightweight – wet or dry – so they can be worn for long shifts. They also need to be robust and durable to not only last, which makes them cost effective but also help the environment because


Recent developments at


Northern Powergrid In 2020, Northern Powergrid set about developing new products with GORE, J&K Ross, UK based specialist in PPE, health & safety clothing distribution and Gore’s licenced manufacturing partner MSA Bell Apparel. They explored how new arc rated GORE-TEX


PYRAD technology might be adopted by the Northern Powergrid team. Arc Rated GORE-TEX PYRAD product


technology is a multi-norm compliant lightweight flame-resistant fabric which, in case of an arc flash exposure, stops flame propagation by rapidly reacting and forming a stable insulating protective shell of carbonaceous char with the face fabric (without melting or dripping). Its functional protective mechanism reduces the


transfer of heat to the wearers skin and blocks the heat flow from the arc flash exposure making it suitable for an end user who requires protection levels to protection levels to IEC 61482-1-2, arc rated to Class 2 (Box test). Based on arc flash testing according to IEC 61-


they have a longer wear cycle and need replacing less often. For engineers working at height, PPE should enable free movement, and offer high visibility for safety.


Northern Powergrid’s PPE


developments In 2009, Sean Johnson, a safety engineer at Northern Powergrid for 39 years, was part of a project team which analysed the protective characteristics of arc flash safety clothing through a study of the potential risks for operatives working within the network. This study determined what levels of protection were needed for the different roles and risks a frontline utility worker could face. In 2013, Northern Powergrid clothing sets for the


1,300 strong workforce were distributed which contained a previous generation of GORE-TEX Heat and Flame wet weather garments arc rated Class 2 (Box test). One layer of clothing provided in excess of 8


cal/cm² of protection, two layers would provide in excess of 30 cal/cm² of protection based on both the Arc Thermal Performance Value (APTV) and ELIM Value.


24 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JULY/AUGUST 2022 electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


482-1-1 (open arc test), it offers an incident energy limit value (ELIM) of 42 cal/cm² of protection. Additionally, it is electrostatic dissipative and protects against liquid chemicals. Being significantly lighter than other Arc rated Class 2 fabrics in the market, arc rated GORE-TEX PYRAD product technology offers abalance of multi-norm protection, comfort and durability.


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