Aerial lifts must undergo recurring safety evaluations to protect both human and mechanical resources. These safety testing measures are potentially dangerous acts in their own right as it puts operators and those working near the equipment in close proximity to extremely high voltage. Dielectric testing is accomplished by supplying precise measurable voltage to the aerial devices.
Electrical current leakages is a common occurrence within all aerial devices. This can be attributed to several factors. While small quantities of electric leakages is considered safe and tolerable, certain conditions hasten the degradation of the insulating material and transcend the device into a dangerous condition. The act of degrading insulation introduces the risk of operators being subject to direct contact with high voltage current. Faulty insulation obviously can lead to serious personal injury and death. Dielectric testing and inspection validates the insulation mechanism of an aerial device whether it can handle voltage variations under normal operating conditions or not.
It is recommend that at least once year, dielectric testing must be performed. Overtime, aerial devices may receive repairs or component replacement. So frequent testing might be necessary to meet safety standards. Contact ETS Inspection and Services to check if your aerial devices are due for dielectric testing.
