IEC 60903 Gloves | Class 1 Insulating Gloves – Compliance Notes

Published 26 Apr 2019

Insulated Gloves

Insulated Gloves | Class 1 IEC 60903 Compliant Gloves

  • Article by SP Energy Networks

    The following information is contained with SP Energy Networks document OPSAF-12-025 Issue No.6: Insulated Gloves for Electrical Purposes Other Than HV Rubber Glove Working.  

IEC 60903

IEC60903 produced by the International Electrotechnical Commission is an internationally recognised electrical safety standard: Live Working – Electrical Insulating Gloves.

IEC 60903:2014 is applicable to electrical insulating gloves and mitts that provide protection of the worker against electric shock.

This standard also covers electrical insulating gloves with additional integrated mechanical protection referred to in this document as “composite gloves“. The third edition cancels and replaces the second edition of IEC 60903, published in 2002 and constitutes a technical revision which includes the following major changes:

  • clarification of the requirements and tests for long gloves
  • introduction of a new special property for gloves resistant to leakage current
  • removal of the requirement for an area to mark the date of inspection
  • the d.c. electric tests are no longer included in the normative part of the document but a proof test is suggested at the production level in a new informative Annex E
  • preparation of the elements of evaluation of defects, and general application of IEC 61318:2007
  • introduction of a new normative Annex H on classification of defects
  • introduction of a new informative Annex I on the rationale for the classification of defects

INSULATED GLOVES FOR ELECTRICAL PURPOSEs

SCOPE

This section of the Energy Networks Live Working Manual (LWM) details the rubber gloves to be used by all persons who are required to work or test on, or in close proximity to, Live LV Conductors and for certain switching and testing activities on the Live HV System (up to 33kV). For Company employees it also describes the process for issue and replacement.

This document deals with gloves which comply with IEC 60903 (2014) Class 1.

The specification for the use and testing of rubber insulated gloves in connection with HV Rubber Glove Working is contained in OPSAF-13-001 (LWM 8.4) HV Rubber Glove Working techniques.

DEFINITIONS

Terms printed in bold type are as defined in the Scottish Power Safety Rules (Electrical and Mechanical) 4th Edition.

POLICY

Class 1 7.5kV insulated rubber gloves to the relevant IEC 60903 (2014) standard shall be issued to SP Energy Networks employees and its appointed contractors who are required to work or test on, or in close proximity to Live LV conductors. They are not meant to be the sole means of protecting those who work or test on Live LV conductors.

These IEC 60903 insulating gloves shall also be issued to personnel who are required to operate air-break switch disconnector handles, overhead Apparatus in substation outdoor compounds, link / fuse operating rods or to use moving-coil Approved voltage indicators on the HV System.

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Class 1 insulated gloves shall not be used for HV Rubber Glove Working on Live HV conductors.

Note: although Class 0 rubber gloves are rated for 1000V and would be appropriate for Live LV systems, experience has found them to be prone to damage when the gloves are not used with gauntlets. Class 1 gloves are thicker and more suitable to be worn without gauntlets if required.

Class 0 gloves shall not be used by SP Energy Networks employees or its appointed contractors on the SP Energy Networks System.

The SP Energy Networks specification TSE-03-044 for rubber gloves according to IEC 60903 require a high level of electrical arc flash protection. It is strongly recommended that insulating gloves provided by contractors provide an equivalent level of protection.

It is recommended that a leather protective outer gauntlet be used while operating on the HV System to prevent premature damage. Gauntlets shall be available for Persons with a preference to use them while working or testing on, or in close proximity to Live LV conductors.

Leather gauntlets also provide electrical arc protection which augments that provided by the rubber glove.

A protective wallet, to the relevant SP Energy Networks standard for the storage of rubber gloves shall be issued to all Persons issued with rubber gloves.

SP ENERGY NETWORKS GLOVE REPLACEMENT POLICY

This section describes the SP Energy Networks policy for replacement of damaged or time-expired insulating gloves to IEC 60903.

Contractors shall implement their own policy which may complement or differ from the Energy Networks policy.

The rubber insulating gloves shall be replaced before re-testing is required.

Class 1 7.5kV insulated rubber gloves shall be replaced twice per year, i.e. at 6 monthly intervals.

When the insulated gloves are first removed from the sealed bag in which they are delivered, the date of opening shall be written on each glove along the edge of the cuff using a ball-point pen or similar.

All IEC 60903 rubber gloves shall be replaced in pairs.

The leather gauntlets and protective wallet need not be replaced at the time of replacement of rubber gloves, but only as required.

At the time of replacement, all gloves shall be destroyed by having the fingers cut off. Gloves which exceed 12 months from the manufacturer’s test date shall be destroyed in the same manner.

Individual pairs of insulating gloves may be issued at other times as required.

Insulated gloves issued must have the manufacturers test date stamped on each individual glove. Insulated gloves shall only be in use within 12 months of the test date. Gloves shall not be in use for more than a 6 month period.

Insulated gloves remaining in the store, which have not been issued and have been stored appropriately, can be issued for the remaining duration of the 12 month period from the manufacturers test date as long as it does not exceed 6 months of use.

ORDERING

The quantities of IEC 60903 gloves required shall be determined far enough in advance of the period of issue to permit an order to be placed and delivery taken immediately prior to the period of issue.

If supply chain difficulties prevent delivery of adequate supplies of replacement gloves, the Operational Assurance Manager (or nominee) may approve a temporary extension of use.

STORAGE

IEC 60903 gloves shall be kept in store unfolded in the containers in which they are delivered. They shall be kept in dry conditions, away from strong light.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN USE

When issued, but not in use, gloves shall be kept in the protective wallet, which shall be used only for storing the gloves. The wallet shall be kept away from moisture, strong light, and the risk of mechanical or chemical interference.

On each occasion before use, insulated gloves shall be examined by the user to ensure that they are safe for use. The examination shall include the following:

  1. Check that the manufacturer’s test date on the gloves is not more than 12 months old
  2. Check that gloves have not been in use for more than 6 months
  3. Check that gloves are clean and dry, both outside and in
  4. Check that the rubber does not show blisters or abrasions
  5. Stretch the gloves by hand and check for tears, cuts and punctures
  6. Complete an air test to confirm no punctures
  7. Replace immediately, if either of a pair of gloves shows signs of not being safe. Both gloves shall be replaced

If, as a result of the examination, either or both of the gloves is found to be unsafe, then the pair shall not be used.

PRECAUTIONS IN USE

Insulated gloves shall not be allowed to remain soiled or unnecessarily exposed to heat or light or allowed to come into prolonged contact with oil, grease, turpentine, motor spirit or strong acid.

Gloves shall be wiped clean on completion of work to remove any surface contamination.

When insulated gloves become heavily soiled, they should be thoroughly washed with soap and water then dried. If insulating compound such as tar or paint still adhere to insulating gloves, then those parts affected should be cleaned with approved cable cleaners or degreasant and then immediately washed and treated as described above.

Petrol, paraffin, or white spirit shall not be used to remove such compounds. Rinse the gloves with clean water after washing.

Any insulated glove, which becomes wet in use or through washing shall be thoroughly dried. Where heated air is blown into the glove, it shall not cause the temperature of the glove to exceed 55ºC.

IEC 60903

Insulated Gloves – Class & Category

The following gloves manufactured by CATU Electrical do not provide mechanical protection and must be used with silicon leather glove covers or over-gloves.

Insulating Gloves Class CATU Electrical Code Category  Thickness Length Colour AC kV DC
Class 00 CATU CG-05 AZC 0.5mm 360mm Beige ≤ 500V 0.5kV 750V
Class 0 CATU CG-10 AZC 1mm 360mm Beige ≤ 1000V 1kV 1500V
Class 1 CATU CG-1 RC 1.5mm 360mm Bi-Colour ≤ 7500V 7.5kV 11,250V
Class 2 CATU CG-2 RC 2.3mm 360mm Bi-Colour ≤ 17000V 17.5kV 25,500V
Class 3 CATU CG-3 RC 2.9mm 360mm Bi-Colour ≤ 26500V 26.5kV 39,750V
Class 4 CATU CG-4 RC 3.6mm 410mm Bi-Colour ≤ 36000V 36kV 54,000V
Insulated Gloves

Insulated Gloves

Thorne & Derrick International

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