ATEX Isolator front removal?

[jinjoh_ninjoh]

Can anybody tell my why you can only remove an ATEX isolator front off when it's in the on position??

 

[rapparee]

I'd guess it is so the isolator cover cannot be removed when the isolator has been padlocked in the off position by someone (such as a fitter) doing maintenance.

 

[shanky887614]

I'd guess it is so the isolator cover cannot be removed when the isolator has been padlocked in the off position by someone (such as a fitter) doing maintenance.

Can anybody tell my why you can only remove an ATEX isolator front off when it's in the on position??

if you think about it, someone could take the front off then turn on a padlocked isolator if it wasnt interlocked (we only fit interlocked isolators)

 

[UKMeterman]

Deleted

 

[Bobster]

The ones I've seen can only be removed in the off position, they can not be removed in a padlocked off or on position.

You shouldn't be taking the front of an isolator off in an ATEX zone of there is still chance of even on side of it being live.

 

[jinjoh_ninjoh]

I can understand where you are all coming from and thinking about if you ever had to remove the lets say motor for instance, you would isolate the full circuit to be able to disconnect It from the isolator.
but surely its a bad design because its still leaves the potential for somebody to be able to remove the lid and try to disconnect the load from isolator whilst its still live in a potentially explosive area.
surely the company who make these isolators cannot rely on the competence of the person doing work on the circuit and should therefore they should make their equipment as safe as possibly when it comes too working on it in an explosive environment, especially when your paying 10x the price of a standard isolator!

 

[Bobster]

Usually an isolator for 3phase within an Ex environment will be Ex.d. There is a lot of design time that goes into producing one of these. For a start it has to potentially contain an explosion.

ATEX work can only be undertaken by competent persons, manufacturers could make an isolator completely idiot proof, your just going to pay more than you already do!

 

[Marvo]

I've given you full member permissions so you an you attach a picture or two of the isolator if possible. I've seen some very poor quality, unbranded Ex isolators from the Far East but never one where the cover is only removable in the 'On' position. Are you sure it's assembled correctly and some of the internal components or maybe the lid has been fitted upside down?

 

[Jonspark]

The CEAG isolators are only removable in the on position, maybe its to make sure people isolate the incoming supply to the isolator before working on them, which by default will be in a zoned area.

 

[Jonspark]

Usually an isolator for 3phase within an Ex environment will be Ex.d. There is a lot of design time that goes into producing one of these. For a start it has to potentially contain an explosion.

ATEX work can only be undertaken by competent persons, manufacturers could make an isolator completely idiot proof, your just going to pay more than you already do!

Installs in a zoned area can be done by any electrician, it's just the person whom commissions it that needs compex.

 

[Bobster]

Installs in a zoned area can be done by any electrician, it's just the person whom commissions it that needs compex.

No it can't.

It can be done by anyone competent.

 

[Jonspark]

No it can't.

It can be done by anyone competent.

Define competent? all i'm saying is that anyone can install hazardous area gear, you just need a compex person to check it.

 

[jinjoh_ninjoh]

Define competent? all i'm saying is that anyone can install hazardous area gear, you just need a compex person to check it.

I have also heard this too, as long as you can have it checked and signed off by somebody who has compex any electrician can install it. I will get a picture of the isolators and upload

 

[jinjoh_ninjoh]

 

[Bobster]

Define competent? all i'm saying is that anyone can install hazardous area gear, you just need a compex person to check it.

Define competent in any area of the electrical field. I'm not saying they must be compex registered.

Your telling me you would use someone to install that has 0 experience in working with Ex gear.

Wait until they have installed it, then completely strip down every gland and component to ensure its been put in properly. Then put it all back together?