The electrical industry involves increasingly relevant risks as a result of the increased range of connections. In this regard, dielectric gloves are an important tool for protecting the workforce. But what technical standards corroborate that each model meets the minimum quality criteria? In this article, the main keys are shown.

Technical standards for dielectric gloves

In order to ensure that the gloves against electric shock are adapted to technical requirements, they must be manufactured in accordance with certain standards. However, these are also applied to test methodologies to increase their durability and resistance, even in demanding environments.

Generally, certain criteria are distinguished to consolidate them as a safe option for workers. In any case, the most important thing is to choose the right materials, always taking into account their performance.

Manufacturing standards

Dielectric gloves are subject to different manufacturing standards, which will depend directly on each country. RIGS gloves are certified under ASTM D120 and EN 60903, which are the most recognized standards worldwide. Consequently, quality controls must be of the highest standards.

Testing standards

Currently, dielectric gloves must be subjected to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and EN 60903 testing standards . This is the only way to ensure compliance with international standards. In fact, they are two of the criteria we follow for the gloves we manufacture at Ansell.

When gloves have a resistance rating of more than 50 volts, it is imperative that they adopt both technical standards. The reason is that the employee will use them for critical tasks, such as handling sensitive connections or repairing deteriorated electrical jumpers.

On the other hand, there are two others that are applied as a priority in certain cases, such as the one we have just mentioned. As they belong to the U.S. and international sphere, they are recognized all over the world:

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): It guarantees that they are resistant to the deflagrations or abrasions that an electrical explosion can cause.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): It is more focused on the permeability offered by the gloves. It is essential to prevent fluids from moving through the tissue at the molecular level. If this is done, the risk of electrocution is greatly increased.

General regulations

There are certain general standards that corroborate the quality of gloves for the electrical industry. In this sense, and in the first place, the UNE standards stand out, which are applied to all the models we manufacture at Ansell. In this way, we ensure the complete adaptation of our manual coverage to the technical needs of the sector:

• UNE-EN 60903: It is based on the resistance of protective gloves for high voltage and protective gloves for low voltage, as used in urban wiring repair processes. For this purpose, they are subjected to direct current and alternating current voltages. The power corresponds to an average of between 36 and 54 volts.
• UNE-EN 60984: Contemplates the efficiency of the insulation that gloves have in their outer coating, as it is crucial to combat the risk of electrocution in the hands.

The ISO standard sets the basis for the design of dielectric gloves. In this case, it ensures compliance with legal requirements in different countries around the world. For this purpose, a technical check is carried out on each model, as we do at Ansell:

• ISO 9001: Focuses on product quality, as is the case here. As it is more generic in nature, it is usually applied in conjunction with others.
• ISO 374:2016: This is the most compatible with the previous one and the most specific. This transposition refers to chemical protection, useful for processes such as light bulb assembly.

As has been demonstrated, the electrical industry requires a fundamental protection base that is made possible by electricians' gloves. At Ansell, we continue to provide impactful solutions with the purpose of creating a safe environment for workers.