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ELECTRICAL SAFETY ELECTRICAL SAFETY – A SMARTER WAY OF WORKING
environment with precise position detection and movement tracking, in addition to real- time updates on operational status and equipment.
Together, the remote assistance apps optimise safety, changing the lives of technicians operating live electrical equipment every day
Alessandro Palin, division president for Distribution Solutions at ABB, explores the role that new remote support solutions will play in enabling a safer and smarter way of working
s demand for electricity increases, so too does the number of electrical related fatalities around the world. It is more important than ever for companies to keep electrical safety at the forefront of their strategies. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in high-voltage applications which can be dangerous if appropriate precautionary measures are not taken and if people are not properly trained.
A
Electrical systems are the backbone of any operation where a reliable power supply is paramount. In the worst-case scenario where a mission-critical repair is needed, one of the main priorities for a technician is getting the job done as quickly as possible to minimise costly downtime and any impact to operations. Safety excellence is imperative to achieving this while reducing operational risk. And it’s easy to see why. As our global appetite for electricity has continued to grow, so has the number of electrical incidents happening around the world each year. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)1
, 2019 had the most
recorded fatal electrical injuries since 2011. In the US, it’s estimated that there are 350 electrical-related fatalities a year2
.
Alongside this is the issue of the changing work dynamic. While those working in electrification 20-30 years ago were typically specialists in their field, today’s market is much more fluid, with workers tending to shift between companies and roles.
46 FEBRUARY 2022 | PROCESS & CONTROL
Naturally then, driving better electrical safety standards remains high on the agenda. Despite technological advances, it is surprising that most medium and high voltage operations still rely on standard signage and stickers to inform technicians and on-site personnel about the equipment around them. Take, for example, an electrical substation in a data centre. Typically, on arrival, a service engineer might see a sign in front of the building or equipment room warning of live electrical equipment along with a set of procedures to follow for operating or repairing that equipment.
Of course, most technicians operating on medium and high voltage equipment will be highly trained service professionals with both knowledge and experience. Even still, nobody can know everything – and this approach leaves them exposed to a potential misinterpretation or miscommunication of information. There is only so much information which can be contained on a sign or sticker. The good news is that there is an alternative and much safer way of working with mobile technology, whether in substations, data centers, hospitals or other critical services. An example is the winner of this year’s ABB
Electrification Virtual Startup Challenge, ViewAR. We are co-developing a proof of concept for the augmented reality (AR) safety app which will be available soon. The app provides first-line workers with an accurate visualisation of the electrical substation
A service technician arriving at a substation or a room with live electrical equipment will simply need to open the app on their smartphone, which will automatically trigger its navigation system and provide immediate audio and visual cues to guide them. The app will also detect the operational status of the equipment, and use visual, audio and vibrational cues to allow the technician to undertake complex repair and maintenance work with the assurance of working in a safe, protected perimeter. ViewAR will be the latest in a trio of pioneering remote assistance apps launched by ABB, which use augmented reality and overlay the instructions on real equipment. RAISE is a remote assistance service which connects operators with an ABB expert so that they can see the exact issue and troubleshoot in real-time, thereby speeding up time to resolution and optimising maintenance through existing resources. CLOSER provides first level support via interactive operational and troubleshooting step-by-step guides for ABB solutions and products. It can be accessed 24/7, for a fast, accessible and more efficient approach to traditional manuals.
Aside from refocusing safety measures, there are many other major benefits to employing remote support services. Drastically optimised efficiencies are one. AR-based support services enable technicians to identify the problem and access the help they need immediately, 24 hours a day – without the need to travel to site. In our experience, site interventions’ effectiveness has been increased to 96 per cent thanks to an initial remote assessment of site conditions with RAISE, meaning engineers can now go on site with a fuller understanding of the situation and how it can be resolved. Remote support with AR can help get business critical equipment back up and running with minimal downtime. Importantly too, this supports a more globalised approach to electrical safety, whereby companies can access expert technical support from anywhere in the world, regardless of location. As we look to the future of electrification, it is imperative that the growing demand for electricity is met with a greater focus on electrical safety strengthened by new technologies. The new age of virtualized electrical support services will help us to work safer and smarter.
1
https://www.esfi.org/workplace-injury-and- fatality-statistics 2 The American Burn Association (
www.ameriburn.org)
ABB
new.abb.com
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