Are Electrical Insulating Mats Safe to Use in Damp Environments?

Water is the worst enemy of electrical insulating mats. Insulating mats are known for their purpose of ensuring electrical safety during a power hazard.

Meanwhile, water, being a good conductor of electricity, acts as a catalyst during an electrical hazard.

Hence, do they serve the same purpose? No. Then what about electrical safety in damp environments? Do the mats still remain effective?

Can You Have Guaranteed Safety With Electrical Insulating Mats in Damp Environments?

What happens to the electrical insulating mats in such environments?

When it comes to electrical safety, electrical insulating mats do a great job. In damp conditions, the operators working with high voltages have a higher risk. They are non-conductive in nature. Hence, they do not let electric current pass through. On the other hand, water can make the electrical insulating mats conductive in nature.

Damp condition means that the electrical insulation mats will continuously be exposed to moisture and water. Thus, this constant exposure can degrade their quality. They can start swelling or disintegrating. As a result, the high voltage insulation mat rolls fail to serve their purpose.

In damp environments, water comes with contaminants, dirt, and grease. Hence, they accumulate on the surface of the electrical insulation mats. This hampers their insulating properties. As a result, they start having lower electrical insulation resistance. The surface conductivity of the electrical insulating mats increases and creates leakage paths during electrical accidents.

How can a high voltage insulation mat be helpful in such conditions?

You should choose a reliable electrical insulation mat supplier before purchasing a mat for such environments. They should provide electrical insulation mats with water resistance. As a result, they will not get affected with water, dirt, or grease exposure and continue to ensure your electrical safety.

Damp environments also mean high humidity. Electric sparks and arc formation are common in such areas. Hence, having electrical insulating mats will prevent current flow from unintended surfaces. As a result, they will protect the operators and workers near the voltage source from getting burns and injuries.

Slippery floors are quite common in damp environments, such as food and drink premises, as found in a research by HSE. Slips mostly occur on wet floors or where surfaces are contaminated, for example with food debris or oil. Electrical insulating mats have a ribbed or dotted texture. As a result, they increase the friction or grip of the feet of the workers to the ground. Electrical insulation mats decrease physical accidents due to slippery floors.

How to optimize your safety?

• You should clean your electrical insulation mats regularly. Get rid of the accumulated water, dirt, and grease.
• Make sure to dry your mats completely before reusing them.
• If you are not using the electrical insulation mats, you can store them. You should keep them in a cool and dry place to avoid degradation from damp environments.
• You should conduct periodic tests to check if the electrical insulating mats are efficient. You can conduct tests to check their dielectric strength, insulation resistance, and others.
• Follow the guidelines of your electrical insulating mat supplier for optimized safety.

To wrap up,

Yes, you can count on electrical insulation mats in damp environments. Not only will they ensure your electrical safety but also guarantee your physical safety in such conditions. However, you should make sure to properly dry them before using them and maintain them as required. Make sure to consult your electrical insulating mat supplier for guidelines to use in damp conditions.

Here are some FAQs you might be interested in:

What are the different classes of high voltage electrical insulating mats India?

Ans: The Bureau of Indian Standards has set the IS 15652:2006 standard for insulating mats. They have different classes such as Class A (3.3 kV), Class B (electrical insulation mat for 11kv), and Class C (33 kV). In addition, they have thicknesses of 2 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3 mm. Their dielectric strength ranges from 30 kV to 65 kV (as per their classes).

Where to install high voltage electrical insulating mats?

Ans: You can install electrical mats in areas having high-voltage machines or appliances. High-voltage risk areas include areas near transformers, Switchgears, panels, control rooms, motors, lift rooms, and others. They ensure the electrical safety of the workers near such areas.

How to choose the best insulating mat supplier?

Ans: You should do thorough research before selecting a supplier for purchasing. You can search on the web with relevant keywords to get their websites. Besides, you can also contact companies from listings of trade shows and events. Make sure to gather information, technical data sheet, and compare the insulating mat price from each of them. Narrow down your options and choose the best deal for you.