2023-09-15 19:18:30
Survey carried out by Brazilian Association for Awareness of the Dangers of Electricity (Abracopel) in the 1st half of 2023, reveals that accidents of electrical origin have increased. According to the entity, in the first six months of the year there were 992 incidents, compared to 949 in the same period last year.
The number of deaths also rose in the 1st half of 2023 and totaled 399 fatal accidents. In the same period last year, statistics point to 384 deaths. Electric shocks are the main causes of these incidents: 458 accidents with 330 deaths in 2022, and 521 occurrences with 350 deaths in the first 6 months of 2023.
Professor and electrical engineer Hilton Moreno, who is also a technical consultant at COBRECOM, explains that several errors can compromise the safety of the electrical installation and, therefore, cause serious accidents with electrical energy.
“One of these mistakes is the use of 500 volt PP Cables in fixed electrical installations on construction sites, hospitals, houses, commercial or residential buildings, industries, fair stands, among others”, says Moreno.
According to Hilton Moreno, a fixed electrical installation is one made up of light panels, conduits (or channels, profiles, beds, etc.) that contain electrical cables, boxes, sockets, switches, luminaires and other electrical components of a building.
The professional also clarifies that PP 500 volt Cables are only suitable for use as a connection cable for household appliances (refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, among others), extension cords, machines and portable electrical tools, which require a cable. high flexibility and abrasion resistance.
“The use of 500 volt PP Cables is restricted to the cases mentioned above, in which the conductor, which is incorporated into the equipment or extension, exclusively connects the device to the socket. The PP 500 volt cable was not developed to be used inside conduits, trays, profiles, among other conduits, warns Hilton Moreno.
This is because the physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics and properties of PP 500 volt cables are different from the requirements of cables recommended for fixed installations, such as 450/750 PVC insulated cables and 0.6/1 kV insulated cables. in HEPR or XLPE.
Another point is that, due to its technical standard, the PP 500 V Cable does not have flame-retardant properties, which is a characteristic required in the most common cables for general use in fixed electrical installations.
According to Moreno, PP 500 V Cables must be produced in accordance with the standard ABNT NBR NM 247-5:2009 – Cables insulated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for nominal voltages up to 450/750 V.
It’s at NBR 5410which governs Low Voltage Electrical Installations, prohibits the use of PP Cables and any other electrical conductor produced in accordance with NBR NM 247-5 in any fixed electrical installation.
“For those who are not used to dealing with electrical materials on a daily basis, it is very easy to confuse the PP insulated cables for 500 V with the multipolar insulated cables for 1 kV recommended for fixed installation, as they are visually similar. However, the cables used to connect equipment are more fragile as they have lower mechanical resistance than others, which can result in more frequent damage to the cover and insulation, thus increasing the possibilities of current leaks, electric shocks and fires”, he concludes. Dark skinned.
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