Protecting Electrical Workers in Conducting Locations with Restricted Movements

Authors

  • Massimo Mitolo Irvine Valley College, Irvine, CA, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.3944

Keywords:

Automatic disconnection, body resistance, conductive locations, electrical safety, equipotential bonding, fault protection, hand-held equipment, low voltage systems, restricted movements, supplementary bonding

Abstract

Conducting Locations with Restricted Movements (CLRs) pose unique electrical hazards due to the extensive presence of grounded conductive materials with which a person is likely to come into contact and the restricted freedom of movement of workers within these spaces. Extended physical contact is not solely a result of spatial constraints. It could also be associated with the specific tasks that workers need to execute. An example of this is work conducted on a transmission tower. This paper investigates the electrical safety measures necessary to protect operators in such environments. By examining the role of body resistance and the impact of different current pathways, this author highlights the inadequacy of the conventional disconnection of supply fault protection measure in CLRs. The paper discusses protective strategies, including supplementary equipotential bonding, use of double or reinforced insulation, electrical separation, and extra-low voltage systems. These measures are critical in mitigating the risk of electric shock and ensuring safety of workers in CLRs.

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Author Biography

Massimo Mitolo, Irvine Valley College, Irvine, CA, USA

Massimo Mitolo, a distinguished scholar and scientist, has been bestowed the Knighthood in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in acknowledgment of his exceptional contributions to scientific endeavors that have brought great honor to the nation. He is renowned for his remarkable achievements in the field of electrical engineering.

Sir Massimo earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Napoli “Federico II” in Italy. His unwavering dedication and significant impact on the field have led to his recognition as a Fellow of IEEE “for contributions to the electrical safety of low-voltage systems”. Furthermore, he holds the distinguished title of Fellow from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in London, United Kingdom, and is a member of the IEEE-HKN Honor Society. Additionally, he is a registered Professional Engineer in both the state of California and Italy.

Presently, Dr. Mitolo serves as a Full Professor of Electrical Engineering at Irvine Valley College in California. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he is a senior consultant specializing in the domains of failure analysis and electrical safety. His extensive research and industrial experience revolve around the comprehensive analysis and grounding of power systems, as well as electrical safety engineering.

Dr. Mitolo’s expertise is reflected in his publication record, encompassing more than 180 journal papers, as well as the authorship of several influential books. Noteworthy titles authored by him include “Electrical Safety of Low-Voltage Systems” (McGraw-Hill, 2009), “Laboratory Manual for Introduction to Electronics: A Basic Approach” (Pearson, 2013), “Analysis of Grounding and Bonding Systems” (CRC Press, 2020), “Electrical Safety Engineering of Renewable Energy Systems” (IEEE Wiley, 2021), “Smart and Power Grid Systems: Design Challenges and Paradigms” (River Publishers 2022), and “Simulation-based Labs for Circuit analysis.” (River Publishers, 2024).

His scholarly endeavors have garnered significant recognition, culminating in his inclusion in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists List, as compiled by Stanford University.

Within the Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Department of the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS), Dr. Mitolo actively engages in various committees and working groups, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field and fostering collaborative efforts.

Acknowledging his achievements, Dr. Mitolo has been the recipient of numerous prestigious accolades throughout his career. Notably, he has been honored with the IEEE Region 6 Outstanding Engineer Award and has garnered nine Best Paper Awards for his exceptional scholarly contributions. Furthermore, he has received recognitions such as the IEEE Ralph H. Lee I&CPS Department Prize Award, the IEEE I&CPS Department Achievement Award, and the James E. Ballinger Engineer of the Year Award from the Orange County Engineering Council in California.

References

IEC 60364-7-706:2024, “Low-voltage electrical installations – Part 7-706: Requirements for special installations or locations – Conducting locations with restricted movement.”

“Restrictive Conductive Location Definition.” Law Insider, www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/restrictive-conductive-location. Accessed 5 June 2024.

IEC 60364-4-41:2005: “Low-Voltage Electrical Installations – Part 4-41: Protection for Safety – Protection Against Electric Shock.”

M. Mitolo, M. Tartaglia and S. Panetta, “Of International Terminology and Wiring Methods Used in the Matter of Bonding and Earthing of Low-Voltage Power Systems,” in IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 1089–1095, May–June 2010.

IEC TS 60479-1:2016, “Effects of current on human beings and livestock – Part 1: General aspects.”

M. Mitolo, F. Freschi and M. Tartaglia, “To Bond or Not to Bond: That is the Question,” in IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 989–995, March–April 2011.

IEC 60364-6:2016, “Low voltage electrical installations – Part 6: Verification.”

M. Mitolo, M. Tartaglia, F. Freschi, A. Guerrisi: “Numerical Simulation of Heart-Current Factors and Electrical Models of the Human Body”. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications; Volume 49, Issue 5, September/October 2013, pages 2290–2299.

IEC 60050-195:2021, “International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 195: Earthing and protection against electric shock.”

IEC 60050-826:2022, “International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 826: Electrical installations.”

IEC 61558-2-4:2021, “Safety of transformers, reactors, power supply units and combinations thereof - Part 2-4: Particular requirements and tests for isolating transformers and power supply units incorporating isolating transformers for general applications.”

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Published

2024-10-28

How to Cite

Mitolo, M. . (2024). Protecting Electrical Workers in Conducting Locations with Restricted Movements. Distributed Generation &Amp; Alternative Energy Journal, 39(04), 777–788. https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.3944

Issue

2024: Vol 39 Iss 4

Section

Renewable Power & Energy Systems