This standard BS EN 50508:2009 Multi-purpose insulating sticks for electrical operations on high voltage installations is classified in these ICS categories:
13.260 Protection against electric shock. Live working
This European Standard specifies the requirements and tests to be fulfilled by the multipurpose insulating sticks intended to perform a range of operations in high voltage installations by means of the attached appropriate tools, for example: • connection and disconnection of disconnectors or other equipment operated by the stick, • fuse replacement with an attached tool, operations like: • voltage absence verification, using a detector as a separate device in accordance with EN 61243-1; • earthing and short circuiting installations, using devices in accordance with EN 61230; • placing insulating screens in order to provide protection against adjacent live parts; • testing and measurement; • any other operation or verification on the electrical installation, provided that the mechanical requirements do not exceed those assured by the stick design and the worker shall remain at a safety distance; • rescue of accident victims. This European Standard is applicable to the insulating sticks made of a single continuous tube or rod or multiple tube or rod sections connected to each other, to be used both indoors or outdoors on electrical systems for voltages of 1 kV to 765 kV a.c., frequencies of 50 Hz and/or 60 Hz and in the normal range of temperatures of -25 ºC to +55 ºC and at a relative humidity between 20 % and 93 %. For the purpose of this standard, “tube” is used for “tube” and “rod”. Annex B includes considerations about the use under wet conditions. NOTE It is a general practice to use an insulating stick on d.c. installations with the same value of nominal voltage. That use shall comply with the national regulations.
