Electrical – What kind of gloves should I wear during electrical work

electricalhealth-and-safetysafety

What kind of gloves should I wear during electrical work?

I need to know which glove material is most suitable for this kind of work, as I wish to purchase the proper gloves.

Best Answer

Depends on the voltage you're working with.

If you're working in a residential setting, simply turn off the power and wear any type of glove you find comfortable (including none).

If working in an industrial setting, where turning the power off is not an option. You'll have to choose a glove system based on the voltage you'll be working with. A glove system should always consist of an appropriate insulating glove, and a protective leather glove. A glove liner is an optional part of the system, and can be worn depending on how dainty your hands are.

ASTM D120-14a divides gloves into the following classes:

  • Class 00 - Good for up to 500 volts.
  • Class 0 - Up to 1,000 volts.
  • Class 1 - Up to 7,500 volts.
  • Class 2 - Up to 17,000 volts.
  • Class 3 - Up to 26,500 volts.
  • Class 4 - Up to 36,000 volts.

WARNING: Always properly test your gloves before each use. Visual inspection and air testing is the most common method. If you're using these gloves, you've hopefully been trained how to care for and test them. If not, you probably shouldn't be doing anything that requires you to use them.