Safety Operating Procedures for High Voltage Tests:
The operation procedures of the experiment consist of four parts, namely the preparatory work before the experiment, the experimental procedures, the post-experiment organization, and other precautions.
Preparatory work before the experiment:
For high-voltage tests, a strict organization is necessary. A test leader and a safety supervisor should be appointed. Each operation should be handled by a designated person.
Make thorough preparations. Personnel participating in the test must complete the necessary preparations before the test, including understanding the test subject, test equipment, test standards, test methods, measurement methods, etc.
The pre-test inspections include:
Check whether the equipment, instruments and meters are in good condition. If any are damaged, they should be replaced promptly.
Check whether the wiring is correct.
Whether the safety distance complies with the regulations, the distance between the high-voltage part and surrounding objects must meet the requirements.
Grounding and grounding rods. Grounding must be reliable. The grounding wire for fixed equipment can be made of flat steel, copper strips or aluminum strips. The grounding wire on the grounding rod should be firmly connected to the grounding wire band using multi-strand bare wire. Before applying high voltage, the grounding rod should be removed from the high-voltage end. For all equipment not involved in the test, the casing must be grounded, especially capacitors, which should be short-circuited and grounded.
Barriers and interlocks must be present when conducting high-voltage tests. For dedicated laboratories, a fixed grounding metal mesh or plate (preferably made of iron) should be set up as a permanent barrier. For temporary on-site tests, there should also be a temporarily set up fence with obvious “High Voltage Hazard” and “Do Not Approach” signs. Anyone must stay outside the barrier and must not touch the fixed high-voltage laboratory from the inside. Necessary interlock devices, such as door interlock and zero position interlock, should also be installed. The voltage regulating equipment should be in the zero position.
The protection against counterattack should be in good condition. When there is discharge during high-voltage tests or when conducting impulse voltage and impulse current tests, protective devices against counterattack should be installed. Generally, capacitors, nonlinear resistors, etc. can be used for protection, or overvoltage protectors (surge suppressors) can also be employed.
Test Procedure
When conducting high-voltage tests, one must be serious, meticulous and fully focused. The hands of the high-voltage operator should not leave the trip button. Pay attention to monitoring the electricity meters and the site, and must not leave their post without permission. During the test, one should not talk or engage in other work. If it is necessary to discuss issues, the test should be stopped by tripping the switch first, and then the test can be resumed.
The call command is as follows: When performing several important operations, the operator should separately call out commands such as “High-voltage closing”, “Discharge”, “Remove the grounding rod”, etc. Only after the supervisor agrees and repeats these commands can the specific operation be carried out.
When increasing the voltage, it must be done uniformly and slowly from zero; after the test is completed, the regulating device should be returned to the zero position. If any abnormal phenomenon occurs during the discharge, breakdown or voltage application process of the test sample, the circuit breaker should trip immediately and the regulating device should be returned to the zero position. When conducting withstand voltage tests on electrical equipment, if the test is normal, after the test is completed, the regulating device should be returned to the zero position first before tripping.
Fault handling: When a fault occurs during the test, the circuit breaker should trip immediately and the regulator should be returned to the zero position. In case of a personal accident, full rescue efforts should be made immediately, such as performing artificial respiration; if a fire occurs, use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire or call the fire department.
After discharging, or at the end of the test or when replacing the test piece, the power supply should be cut off. The voltage regulator should be returned to the zero position and the high-voltage part should be discharged using the grounding rod. When discharging the capacitor, it should be discharged through a resistor first, and then short-circuited for discharge.
After the experiment
After the test is completed, the capacitors and high-voltage parts should be fully discharged, and the grounding rod should be hung on the high-voltage equipment.
Clean up the site and keep the test area tidy.
Other important points to note
During the experiment, smoking and ignition are strictly prohibited.
2. Those who have a fever, feel dizzy, are in poor spirits or exhibit mental disorders are not allowed to participate in the experiment.
3. High-voltage tests must be conducted by no fewer than two people.
Other safety issues related to high-voltage tests
When the test voltage is very high and the duration is long, some safety issues should also be noted, such as the effect of electromagnetic fields on the human body, the radiation during high-voltage discharge, and the ozone generated by high-voltage tests.
Post time: Feb-24-2026