What is the difference between switching off and isolating

The four concepts are:. Switching off for mechanical maintenance is used to enable non-electrical work to be carried out on the circuit or equipment safely, such as a boiler. Functional switching is used to enable the proper functioning and control of current-using equipment, such as a typical light switch. Isolation is used to enable electrically skilled or instructed persons to work safely on a circuit or equipment.

The corresponding definition in the Electricity at Work Regulations EWR Regulation 12 further requires that isolation is to be carried out in such a way that the disconnection and separation of the electrical equipment from sources of electrical energy is secure. BS does address this matter in certain of its Regulations, requiring provision be made for securing an isolating device against inadvertent or unintentional operation.

The purpose of isolation is to enable work to be carried out on, or in the vicinity of, parts that are normally live in service, without risk of injury or death from:.

It is the most widely used terminal protection electrical appliance in building electrical terminal power distribution devices. With short circuit protection: the live line and the neutral line contact, the instantaneous current is very large, and the circuit breaker trips. Overload protection: the circuit breaker trips if the electric current exceeds the rated current of the appliance. The main feature of the isolating switch is that it has no arc extinguishing ability and can only open and close the circuit when there is no load current.

The isolation switch is used to change the circuit connection or isolate the circuit or equipment from the power supply. It has no current interruption capability and can only be operated after disconnecting the circuit with other equipment.

The isolating switch can reliably isolate the equipment working in power failure from the live part, that is, it has an obvious disconnection point to ensure the safety of the staff.

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Electrical Engineering.