Gate, Ball and Butterfly Valves Valves, in a myriad of designs and sizes, are an integral part of piped systems that convey gases and liquids. They serve to control and regulate the flow of these substances in a safe, secure and prescribed manner. There are several types of valves that are in common use, including but not limited to the Gate, Ball and Butterfly valves. Maintaining such piped systems require the right type of lockout device that best suits the valve type, to ensure the safety of both the technicians and environment. It’s important to understand how these valves function, where and … Continue reading →

When performing ArcFlash Hazard Analysis, a safety auditor collects data about the power distribution of a power facility. What data should be collected: A one-line drawing of all components with nameplate specifications of every device Details of the lengths and cross section area of all cables Utility information including the minimum and maximum fault currents that can be expected at the entrance to the facility

Our customers for Arc Flash PPE regularly ask us questions regarding Arc Flash Rated Underwear and if there is a need for it. We have put together the following information that we hope will help in providing a better understanding of why you should consider Arc Flash Rated Underwear and the benefits it provides to the wearer. The IEC offers comprehensive directions on how to establish an electrically safe work environment, right from identifying and evaluating the risks involved, choosing suitable protective clothing and accessories, taking all precautions and safety measures to protect the workplace and its inhabitants, and imparting … Continue reading →

In the present day, when energy drives our lives, we need to keep a check on our consumption and control the same. Our customers at Powerpoint Engineering regularly pose questions relating to Energy Metering. In this article, I have put together the following information that I hope will give you a better understanding of Energy Metering and the process of monitoring and tracking energy consumption.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and standards regarding lockout/tagout are aimed at protecting the workplace, staff and machinery from accidents that may occur during maintenance or repairs. Despite elaborate recommendations and audits, fatalities still continue and their severities range from mild shocks and missing fingers to lost lives. While using suitable lockout/tagout devices from specialist dealers such as lockoutsafety.com is a must to ensure adequate safety, it is equally important for the staff and technicians to strictly follow charted lockout processes to prevent any accidental damages. A comprehensive range of lockout devices at lockoutsafety.com can help put … Continue reading →

New Safety at Work regulations and the recent insistance of insurance companies and standards authorities call for Portable Appliance Testing procedures to be in place within companies. But what are the penalties for not having PAT testing approved equipment? In short, non-compliance organisations run the risk of injury or death, fire, private legal action and invalidating your commercial insurance policy.

Calibration is a comparison between two measurements – one of known level or correctness with one device (known as the standard) and another measurement made in as similar a way as possible with a second device (known as the unit under test).

Portable Appliance Testing for Offices – here’s what you need to know… Most office staff use electrical equipment, but if electrical equipment is unsafe it could cause personal injury, workplace fires or even kill. Portable appliance testing in offices aims to prevent electrical injury, such as electric shock, burns and fires of electrical origin.

OSHA standards related to control of hazardous energy require companies to formulate effective energy isolation processes that best suit their workplace, after careful consideration of the different energy sources being used in the manufacturing facility. When Locking Out an Energy Source each type of energy source should be locked out by applying the right lockout device and tagged appropriately to visually warn people who share or use the same work area. While ball, gate and butterfly valves serve to lockout pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical energy is isolated by using suitable Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) lockout toggles or pin-in/pin-out devices … Continue reading →

Studies show that over 85% of disruptive failures in high voltage (HV) and medium voltage (MV) equipment are Partial Discharge related. Partial Discharge action ultimately leads to failure. Our PD testing service does not require shutdown and is the best way to plan maintenance, repair or replacement activities in a cost effective and efficient way. You can learn more about PD Testing by viewing our range of Partial Discharge videos here.

Calibration is generally done for instruments that are used for obtaining accurate results. The outcome of a measurement is referenced with some standard values and checked for precision. Many manufacturers offer to pre-calibrate instruments prior to sale. The calibration documents are given with the device for the safety of the customer and for service purposes. Calibration enables both the users and businesses to be assured in the results that they record and control. Calibration is starting to diminish within domestic confinements and has taken over the field of manufacturing. As a result, devices in the market have become highly reliable, since the possibility … Continue reading →

This is a synopsis of power quality case study regarding the phenomenon of Voltage Sag experienced at a pharma plant. A pharmaceutical company site in Dublin had been experiencing some critical sags at their incoming supply. Read more about the power quality issues faced, and learn what solutions were offered by Powerpoint Engineering Ltd.

Electric arcs are among the most serious risks that threaten the safety of workers, especially those employed in the power sector or heavy industries. This makes it imperative for personnel working in such environments to protect themselves adequately before entering the work area. To assist you, I have put together the following information that I hope will give you an overview of Arc Flash Protective Workwear: The Imminent Danger of an Arc Flash Understanding the imminent hazard of an arc flash is a prerequisite to sourcing the right protective clothing that is best suited for a specific job/environment. Accident statistics across the world reveal that … Continue reading →

So, you’re wondering how to PAT Test (portable appliance testing) a kettle? We’ve written down the basic steps required to a successfully PAT test a small portable appliance like a kettle. Before performing any type of inspection and testing, it’s important to make sure that the kettle is safe and is being used in the correct environment.

Safety padlocks serve to lockout a specific piece of equipment or machinery, or even an entire area during preventive maintenance or repair. They are an integral part of industrial safety measures and are of equal importance in any environment housing heavy machinery or electrical installations. What To Look For When Choosing A Safety Padlock? Safety padlocks are hard to get past, and prove more effective in restricting access than safety tags and other purely visual indications, which may go unnoticed. Here are some factors that can help with the selection. Durability Durability of safety padlocks needs careful attention. The material … Continue reading →

When you complete a PAT training course, you will have mastered both manual and theoretical aspects of PAT testing. Here are 10 reasons why it’s a good idea for you to enrol in a PAT Testing training course…