What Is The Importance of Rubber Mats for Electrical Panels in Engineering Colleges?

 

How do educational institutions ensure the electrical safety of students with rubber mats for electrical panels? 

Where do you think they are installed? 

The primary purpose of insulated rubber mats for the electrical panels is to ensure electrical safety. They significantly reduce electrical accidents and related downtime. However, industries having high-voltage applications install them. 

Where are rubber mats for electrical panels installed in engineering colleges?

Engineering colleges have electrical laboratories. High voltage DC shunt motor, induction motors, and other machines are there. These run at high voltages of approximately 420 V or even more. Engineering students often operate these high voltage machines. 

Thus, there can be instances where they are exposed to electrical hazards. These laboratories have rubber mats for electrical panels to ensure electrical safety. They install them near panels, high-voltage motors, and others. Universities install rubber mats in front of electrical panels.

Now let us dive more into the topic and understand

The importance of rubber mats for electrical panels in engineering colleges: 

1. Enhanced electrical safety 

Insulated rubber mats for the electrical panels protect the operators from electrical accidents. Students often have to operate high-voltage machines during experiments. They might not hold high expertise in the field. Thus, there can be short circuits, arc flashes, or other accidents due to any circuit faults. 

As a result, they can get an electric shock. Rubber mats for electrical panels protect them from burns and injuries in such conditions. Overheating of motors and short circuits can also start a fire outbreak. A rubber mat for electrical panel has flame retardant properties. It can resist the spread of fire. Hence, it safeguards other equipment and human lives during fire hazards. 

2. Comfort 

Engineering students doing experiments need to stand for an extended time. They have to repeatedly take readings without taking any breaks. Thus, they cannot change their posture during the process. As a result, they tend to develop fatigue in legs. Eventually, they start having joint problems. 

Insulated rubber mats for the electrical panels are installed as flooring. Hence, they offer a padding to the feet of the students. Rubber mats for electrical panels offer a cushioning effect to their feet, and this reduces fatigue. However, this increases their efficiency. 

3. Reduced physical accidents 

Students are always in movement during lab experiments. They can slip and fall anytime while moving. Insulated rubber mats for the electrical panels have anti-skid designs. They come with ribbed or dotted texture. Hence, rubber mats for electrical panels increase the traction of the feet to the flooring. 

Owing to their anti-skid design, the insulated rubber mats have high suction to the ground. As a result, they decrease the chances of slipping and falling. 

To conclude, 

Universities employ rubber mats in front of electrical panels, high-voltage motors, and other electrical machines. They reduce electrical and physical accidents. Moreover, they safeguard people from burns and injuries in such conditions. Rubber mats for electrical panels offer enhanced comfort and increase the efficiency of the students. 

FAQ

What is the standard thickness of insulating mats for electrical panels?

The standard thickness of the IEC 61111 electrical safety rubber mat for electrical panel is 2 mm to 5 mm, approximately. Whereas, the thickness of the ASTM D-178 compliant rubber mat for electric panel is 3.2 mm to 12.7 mm, approximately. On the other hand, the standard thickness of IS 15652 rubber mat for electrical panel is 2 mm to 3 mm, approximately.

What is the rubber mat standard for electrical panel?

The insulated rubber mats for the electrical panels are primarily of three standards.

IEC 61111:2009 standard: The International Electrotechnical Commission has set this standard.

ASTM D-178 standard: The American Society for Testing and Materials has set this standard.

IS 15652:2006 standard: The Bureau of Indian Standards.

However, there are other standards like the SIRIM, BS EN 61111, AS/NZS-2978:1995, and others.

When do we require customized electrical mats?

You can choose customized electrical mats if your requirements do not match with the standard dimensions. You can custom-make your mats with the thickness and size you want. Besides, customization helps you change the design or color of the insulating mats. You should choose a reliable manufacturer to customize your mats.