Personnel safety and plant reliability considerations in the selection and use of voltage test instruments

Deficiencies in the design, selection, and use of test instruments commonly used for troubleshooting and testing for absence of electrical energy can contribute to the cause of mishaps resulting in personal injury and plant downtime. Some common voltage test instruments can cause unwanted disturbance of sensitive electronic instrumentation and control circuits. Attention to detail in managing the selection and use of voltage test instruments can enhance safety performance and manufacturing productivity. This paper reviews case histories, the evolution in test instrument safety design, standards related to specification and use, and common practices in managing the selection and use of test instruments in the workplace.