Electrical testing involves being exposed to a number of electrical hazards on a daily basis. Live currents and conductors present considerable safety risks and it is essential that the electrical tester adopts a number of safety practices in their work. One of these is the use of VDE-rated tools.
What does VDE mean?
Today VDE stands for Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik e.V. This is a German business that was founded in 1893 under the name Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker. This is one of a number of German associations responsible for the testing and certification of quality and safety standards, in this case for electrical devices and tools, and although these are German associations, they are internationally recognised as the accepted standard. Essentially, a device or a tool identified with a VDE mark is guaranteed to fulfil the safety and quality standards required to work with live electricity.
What are VDE-rated tools?
A common example of a VDE-rated tool is a pair of pliers. These are designed to work in electrical environments and because they are VDE-rated, this means they offer the user protection against electric shock. To achieve VDE-rated status, a tool will undergo rigorous testing and will need to achieve certain standards of performance.
VDE-rated pliers will have the following features:
- Insulated handles – Insulation is a non-conducting material which provides a barrier and protects the user from contact with live electrical current. In this case, the insulating material will be high-quality plastic or rubber.
- Strength – VDE-rated pliers will be designed to have high mechanical strength so that they are robust, reliable and effective when working with live electricity.
- Design – It is essential that an electrician works with tools which are comfortable and practical to use, this prevents accidents from losing focus or a task being awkward to perform, and also prevents fatigue where processes are long and repetitive. So ergonomic design is another important feature of VDE-rated tools.
How do tools become VDE-rated?
To become VDE-rated, tools undergo a series of tests to ensure they meet the required standards. These will be undertaken in specialist laboratories and will include high voltage tests, mechanical load tests, temperature tests and ageing tests. These combine to ensure the tool is sufficiently robust and effective to withstand repeated use with live electricity and the under the types of loads and environmental conditions it is likely to face, including simulating long-term use.
How are VDE-rated tools identified?
There are a number of ways you can identify that a tool is VDE-rated. These include:
- VDE logo – The official VDE mark, sometimes also with a ‘GS’ symbol added.
- Double triangle – A symbol to indicate the tool is suitable for working with live electricity.
- International standard – The tool could have reference to the international standard for insulated tools, which is IEC 60900.
- 1000V rating – This is the maximum rating the tool is approved for working with.
- Colour – The handles of the tool will usually be red and yellow.
You may also find that a VDE-rated tool has an extended collar to help prevent the possibility of accidently touching the exposed steel parts of the tool.
VDE-rated tools from Test Instrument Solutions
So, VDE-rated tools are essential for electrical testing because they protect the user from the possibility of electric shock and are reliable and durable. In most countries the use of VDE-rated tools for these processes is also in compliance with the relevant safety standards. VDE-rated tools are also essential in terms of ergonomic design and ensuring live electrical work can be carried out efficiently, comfortably and safely. Test Instrument Solutions stock a wide range of VDE-Rated tools, so talk to us today about your requirements.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.