S.I. No. 7/1932 - Electricity Regulations, 1932.

1. All

apparatus

and

conductors

shall be sufficient in size and power for the work they are called upon to do, and so constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained as to prevent

danger

so far as is reasonably practicable.

2. All

conductors

shall either be

covered with insulating material

, and further efficiently protected where necessary to prevent

danger

, or they shall be so placed and safeguarded as to prevent

danger

so far as is reasonably practicable.

3. Every switch, switch-fuse, circuit-breaker, and isolating link shall be:—(

a

) so constructed, placed, or protected as to prevent

danger

; (

b

) so constructed and adjusted as accurately to make and to maintain good contact; (

c

) provided with an efficient handle or other means of working, insulated from the

system

, and so arranged that the hand cannot inadvertently touch

live

metal; (

d

) so constructed or arranged that it cannot accidentally fall or move into contact when left out of contact.

4. Every switch intended to be used for breaking a

circuit

and every circuit-breaker shall be so constructed that it cannot with proper care be left in partial contact. This applies to each pole of double-pole or multipole switches or circuit-breakers.

Every switch intended to be used for breaking a

circuit

and every circuit-breaker shall be so constructed that an arc cannot accidentally be maintained.

5. Every fuse, and every automatic circuit-breaker used instead thereof, shall be so constructed and arranged as effectively to interrupt the current before it so exceeds the working rate as to involve

danger

. It shall be of such construction or be so guarded or placed as to prevent

danger

from over-heating, or from arcing or the scattering of hot metal or other substance when it comes into operation. Every fuse shall be either of such construction or so protected by a switch that the fusible metal may be readily renewed without

danger

.

6. Every electrical joint and connection shall be of proper construction as regards conductivity, insulation, mechanical strength and protection.

7. Efficient means, suitably located, shall be provided for cutting off all

pressure

from every part of a

system

, as may be necessary to prevent

danger

.

8. Efficient means suitably located shall be provided for protecting from excess of current every part of a

system

, as may be necessary to prevent

danger

.

9. Where one of the

conductors

of a

system

is connected to earth, no single-pole switch, other than a link for testing purposes or a switch for use in controlling a generator or transformer, shall be placed in such

conductor

or any branch thereof.

A switch, or automatic or other cut-out, may, however, be placed in the connection between the

conductor

and earth at the generating station or transformer station, for use in testing and emergencies only.

10. Where one of the main

conductors

of a

system

is

bare

and uninsulated, no switch, fuse, or circuit-breaker shall be placed in that

conductor

or in any

conductor

connected thereto, and the said

conductor

shall be

earthed

.

Nevertheless, switches, fuses, or circuit-breakers may be used to break the connection with the generators or transformers supplying the power; provided that in no case of

bare conductor

the connection of the

conductor

with earth is thereby broken.

11. Every motor, converter and transformer shall be protected by efficient means suitably placed, and so connected that all

pressure

may thereby be cut off from the motor, converter or transformer as the case may be, and from all

apparatus

in connection therewith; provided, however, that where one point of the

system

is connected to earth, there shall be no obligation to disconnect on that side of the

system

which is connected to earth.

12. Every electrical motor shall be controlled by an efficient switch or switches for starting and stopping, so placed as to be easily worked by the person in charge of the motor.

In every place in which machines are being driven by any electric motor, there shall be means at hand for either switching off the motor or stopping the machines if necessary to prevent

danger

.

13. Every flexible wire for portable

apparatus

shall be connected to the

system

either by efficient permanent joints or connections, or by a properly constructed connector.

In all cases where the person handling portable

apparatus

or pendant lamps with switches, would be liable to get a shock through a conducting floor or conducting work or otherwise, if the metal work of the portable

apparatus

became charged, the metal work must be efficiently

earthed

; and any flexible metallic covering of the

conductors

shall be itself efficiently

earthed

and shall not itself be the only earth connection for the metal of the

apparatus.

And a lampholder shall not be in metallic connection with the guard or other metal work of a portable lamp.

Portable

apparatus

and its flexible wire shall be controlled by efficient means suitably located, and capable of cutting off the

pressure

, and the metal work shall be efficiently

earthed

independently of any flexible metallic cover of the

conductors

, and any such flexible covering shall itself be independently

earthed

.

14. The general arrangement of

switchboards

shall, so far as reasonably practicable, be such that—

(

a

) All parts which may have to be adjusted or handled are readily accessible.

(

b

) The course of every

conductor

may where necessary be readily traced.

(

c

)

Conductors

, not arranged for connection to the same

system

, are kept well apart, and can where necessary be readily distinguished.

(

d

) All

bare conductors

are so placed or protected as to prevent

danger

from accidental short circuit.

15. Every

switchboard

having

bare conductors

normally so exposed that they may be touched, shall, if not located in an area or areas set apart for the purposes thereof, where necessary be suitably fenced or enclosed.

No person except an

authorised person

, or a person acting under his immediate supervision, shall for the purpose of carrying out his duties have access to any part of an area so set apart.

16. All

apparatus

appertaining to a

switchboard

and requiring handling, shall so far as practicable be so placed or arranged as to be operated from the working platform of the

switchboard

, and all measuring instruments and indicators connected therewith shall, so far as practicable, be so placed as to be observed from the working platform. If such

apparatus

be worked or observed from any other place, adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent

danger

.

17. At the working platform of every

switchboard

, and in every

switchboard passage-way

, if there be

bare conductors

exposed or arranged to be exposed when

live

so that they may be touched, there shall be a clear and unobstructed passage of ample width and height, with a firm and even floor. Adequate means of access, free from

danger

shall be provided for every

switchboard

passage-way

.

The following provisions shall apply to all such

switchboard

working platforms and

passage-ways

, unless the

bare conductors

, whether overhead or at the sides of the

passage-ways

, are otherwise adequately protected against

danger

by divisions or screens or other suitable means:—

(

a

) Those constructed for

low-pressure switchboards

shall have a clear height of not less than 7 ft. and a clear width measured from

bare

conductor

of not less than 3 ft.

(

b

) Those constructed for

high-pressure switchboards

, other than operating desks or panels working solely at

low-pressure

, shall have a clear height of not less than 8 ft. and a clear width measured from

bare conductor

of not less than 3 ft. 6 in.

(

c

)

Bare conductors

shall not be exposed on both sides of the

switchboard passage-way unless either (i) clear width of the passage is in the case of low-pressure

not less than 4 ft. 6 in., and in the case of

high-pressure

not less than 8 ft., in each case measured between

bare conductors

, or (ii) the

conductors

on one side are so guarded that they cannot be accidentally touched.

18. In every

switchboard

for

high-pressure

:—

(

a

) Every

high-pressure conductor

within reach from the working platform or in any

switchboard passage-way

shall be so placed or protected as adequately to prevent

danger

.

(

b

) The metal cases of all instruments working at

high-pressure

shall be either

earthed

or completely enclosed with insulating covers.

(

c

) All metal handles of

high-pressure

switches, and, where necessary to prevent

danger

, all metal gear for working the switches, shall be

earthed

.

(

d

) When work has to be done on any

switchboard

, then, unless the

switchboard

be otherwise so arranged as to secure that the work may be carried out without

danger

, either (i) the

switchboard

shall be made

dead

, or (ii) if the said

switchboard

be so arranged that the

conductors

thereof can be made

dead

in sections, and so separated by permanent or removable divisions or screens from all adjoining sections of which the

conductors

are

live

, that work on any section may be carried out without

danger

, that section on which work has to be done shall be made

dead

.

19. All parts of generators, motors, transformers, or other similar

apparatus

, at

high-pressure

and within reach from any position in which any person employed may require to be, shall be, so far as reasonably practicable, so protected as to prevent

danger

.

20. Where a

high-pressure

supply is transformed for use at a lower

pressure

, or energy is transformed up to above

low-pressure

, suitable provision shall be made to guard against

danger

by reason of the lower-pressure

system

becoming accidentally charged above its normal

pressure

by leakage or contact from the higher-pressure

system

.

21. Where necessary to prevent

danger

, adequate precautions shall be taken either by

earthing

or by other suitable means to prevent any metal other than the

conductor

from becoming electrically charged.

22. Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent any

conductor

or

apparatus

from being accidentally or inadvertently electrically charged when persons are working thereon.

23. Where necessary, adequately to prevent

danger

,

insulating stands

or

screens

shall be provided and kept permanently in position, and shall be maintained in sound condition.

24. Portable

insulating stands, screens, boots, gloves

, or other suitable means shall be provided and used when necessary adequately to prevent

danger

, and shall be periodically examined by an

authorised person.

25. Adequate working space and means of access, free from

danger

, shall be provided for all

apparatus

that has to be worked or attended to by any person.

26. All those parts of premises in which

apparatus

is placed shall be adequately lighted to prevent

danger

.

27. All

conductors

and

apparatus

exposed to the weather, wet, corrosion, inflammable surroundings or explosive atmosphere, or used in any process or for any special purpose other than for lighting or power, shall be so constructed or protected, and such special precautions shall be taken as may be necessary adequately to prevent

danger

in view of such exposure or use.

28. No person except an

authorised person

or a competent person acting under his immediate supervision shall undertake any work where technical knowledge or experience is required in order adequately to avoid

danger

; and no person shall work alone in any case in which

the Minister

directs that he shall not. No person except an

authorised person

, or a competent person acting under his immediate supervision, shall undertake any repair, alteration, extension, cleaning, or such work where technical knowledge or experience is required in order to avoid

danger

, and no one shall do such work unaccompanied.

Where a contractor is employed, and the

danger

to be avoided is under his control, the contractor shall appoint the

authorised person

, but if the

danger

to be avoided is under the control of the occupier, the occupier shall appoint the

authorised person.

29. Instructions in the

prescribed

form as to the treatment of persons suffering from electric shock shall be affixed in all premises where electrical energy is generated, transformed, or used.

30. Every

sub-station

shall be substantially constructed, and shall be so arranged that no person other than an

authorised person

can obtain access thereto otherwise than by the proper entrance, or can interfere with the

apparatus

or

conductors

therein from outside: and shall be provided with efficient means of ventilation and be kept dry.

31. Every

sub-station

shall be under the control of an

authorised person

, and none but an authorised person or a person acting under his immediate supervision shall enter any part thereof where there may be

danger

.

32. Every underground

sub-station

not otherwise easily and safely accessible shall be provided with adequate means of access by a door or trap-door, with a staircase or ladder securely fixed and so placed that no

live

part of any

switchboard

or any

bare conductor

shall be within reach of a person thereon: Provided, however, that the means of access to such

sub-station

shall be a doorway and staircase (

a

) if any person is regularly employed therein, otherwise than for inspection or cleaning, or (

b

) if the

sub-station

is not of ample dimensions and there is therein moving machinery other than ventilating fans.

BAILE ATHA CLIATH.

P. McGILLIGAN,

10adh Feabhra, 1932.

Aire um Thionnscail agus Thráchtála

(Minister for Industry and Commerce).

* S. R. and O. 1908, No. 1312.

† Terms to which defined meanings are given are printed throughout in italics.

STATUTORY RULES AND ORDERS. 1932. No. 7.

ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS, 1932.

FACTORY AND WORKSHOP.

DANGEROUS AND UNHEALTHY INDUSTRIES.

THE ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS, 1932, DATED 10TH FEBRUARY, 1932, MADE BY THE MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE UNDER SECTION 79 OF THE FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901, FOR THE GENERATION, TRANSFORMATION, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY IN PREMISES UNDER THE FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACTS, 1901 TO 1920.

In pursuance of Section 79 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, I hereby make the following Regulations in respect of the Generation, Transformation, Distribution and Use of Electrical Energy and direct that they shall apply in any factory or workshop, or any place to which the provisions of Section 79 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, are applied by that Act.

These Regulations shall come into force on the 1st April, 1932, except as regards such electrical installations as were not subject to the Electricity Regulations made on the 23rd December, 1908, in respect of which they shall apply as from the 1st April, 1933.

From the 1st April, 1932, the Regulations dated 23rd December, 1908,* shall be revoked.

DUTIES.

It shall be the duty of the occupier to comply with these Regulations.

And it shall be the duty of all agents, workmen, and persons employed to conduct their work in accordance with these Regulations.

DEFINITIONS.†

"

Pressure

" means the difference of electrical potential between any two

conductors

, or between a

conductor

and earth as measured by a suitable electrostatic volt-meter.

"

Low pressure

" means a

pressure

in a

system

(

a

) normally not exceeding 250 volts to earth, or

(

b

) normally not exceeding 500 volts between

conductors

in a

system

that is not

earthed

.

"

High pressure

" means a

pressure

in a

system

(

a

) normally exceeding 250 volts to earth, or

(

b

) normally exceeding 500 volts between

conductors

in a

system

that is not

earthed

.

"

System

" means an electrical system in which all the

conductors

and

apparatus

are electrically connected to a common source of electro-motive force.

"Conductor"

means an electrical conductor arranged to be electrically connected to a

system

.

"Apparatus"

means electrical apparatus, and includes all apparatus, machines, and fittings in which

conductors

are used, or of which they form a part.

"Circuit"

means an electrical circuit forming a

system

or branch of a

system

.

"Insulating stand" means a floor, platform, stand or mat.

"Insulating screen" means a screen

"Insulating boots" means boots

"Insulating gloves" means gloves

of such size, quality, and construction according to the circumstances of the use thereof, that a person is thereby adequately protected from danger.

"Covered with insulating material"

means adequately covered with insulating material of such quality and thickness that there is no

danger

.

"Bare"

means not

covered

with

insulating material

.

"Live"

means electrically charged.

"Dead"

means at, or about, zero potential, and disconnected from any

live system.

"Earthed"

means connected to the general mass of earth in such manner as will ensure at all times an immediate discharge of electrical energy without

danger

.

"Substation"

means any premises or that part of any premises in which electrical energy at

high pressure

is distributed, or in which electrical energy is transformed or converted to or from

high pressure

, except for the purpose of working instruments, relays, or similar axiliary

apparatus

.

"Switchboard"

means the collection of switches or fuses,

conductors

, and other

apparatus

in connection therewith, used for the purpose of controlling the current or

pressure

in any

system

or part of a

system

.

"Switchboard passage-way"

means any passage-way or compartment large enough for a person to enter, and used in connection with a

switchboard

when

live

.

"Authorised person"

means (

a

) the occupier, or (

b

) a contractor for the time being under contract with the occupier, or (

c

) a person employed, appointed, or selected by the occupier, or by a contractor as aforesaid, to carry out certain duties incidental to the generation, transformation, distribution, or use of electrical energy, such occupier, contractor, or person being a person who is competent for the purposes of the regulation in which the term is used.

"Danger"

means danger to health or danger to life or limb from shock, burn, or other injury to persons employed, or from fire attendant upon the generation, transformation, distribution, or use of electrical energy.

"Public supply"

means the supply of electrical energy (

a

) by any local authority, company, or person authorised by Act of the Oireachtas or Provisional Order confirmed by the Oireachtas or by licence or Order of the Electricity Supply Board to give a supply of electrical energy; or (

b

) otherwise under Electricity Supply Board Regulations.

"The Minister"

means the Minister for Industry and Commerce for the time being.

"Prescribed"

means prescribed for the time being by the Minister for Industry and Commerce.

EXEMPTIONS.