BS EN 50340:2010

This standard BS EN 50340:2010 Hydraulic cable cutting devices. Devices to be used on electrical installations with nominal voltage up to AC 30 kV is classified in these ICS categories:

• 29.260.99 Other electrical equipment for working in special conditions
• 13.260 Protection against electric shock. Live working
• 29.240.20 Power transmission and distribution lines

This European Standard is applicable to cable cutting devices to be used to verify that a cable is dead in accordance with the rules given in EN 50110-1.

The following limits apply to the cable cutting devices:

• pressure less than 1 000 bar or pressure (bar) x volume (l) less than 10 000;

• fluid outside the categories listed in Article 9 Group 1 (explosive, extremely flammable, highly flammable, flammable (where the maximum allowable temperature is above flashpoint), very toxic, toxic, oxidizing) of the Pressure Equipment Directive.

Cable cutting devices specified in this standard are for use on systems with nominal voltage up to 30 kV AC and nominal frequencies up to 60 Hz and shall only be suitable for operation by foot or by hand. This European Standard does not deal with motorised cable cutting devices.

For devices to be used on systems with nominal voltages above 30 kV AC this standard should be used as a guide but additional requirements and tests shall be agreed between manufacturer and customer to provide for an equivalent level of safety.

These devices are not designed to be used on cables with special armour, or with steel wires or steel tapes more than 1 mm in diameter or thickness.