IEEE 1491-2012 pdf download IEEE Guide for Selection and Use of Battery Monitoring Equipment in Stationary Applications
4. Safety
Batteries are potentially dangerous, and proper precautions must be observed in handling and maintenanceof batteries and monitoring systems. Maintenance shall be done only by personnel with knowledge ofbatteries and the monitoring system and trained in the safety precautions involved. Properly insulated toolsand adequatepersonal protective equipment should be used when working with batteries. Furtherprecautions and references are shown in the narrative below (see IEEE Std 1657)
The following personal protective equipment shall be available to personnel who perform batterymaintenance work: goggles and face shields, acid-resistant gloves, protective aprons, portable or stationarywater facilities for rinsing eyes and skin in case of contact with electrolyte, class C fire extinguisher, acid olalkaline neutralizer,and adequately insulated tools.Personnel shall wear protective equipment suitable forthe voltage of the battery when installing or servicing a battery
The following precautions shall be observed when installing or servicing a battery:
a) Prohibit smoking and open flammes in the immediate vicinity of the battery
Avoid wearing metallic objects, such as jewelry0
Keep the top of the battery clear of tools and other foreign objectsc1
d) Provide unobstructed egress from the battery area.e) Verify that the battery area and/or cabinet ventilation is operablef)Neutralize static buildup just before working on the battery by having personnel contact thenearest effectively grounded surface.Only qualified or properly trained personnel should perform maintenance on either the battery or themonitoring system. The use of proper safety and test equipment is of paramount importance. It is theultimate responsibility of the individual technician to be aware of appropriate safety precautions requiredfor the type of installation being performed.
The aforementioned guidelines are illustrative and do not cover every conceivable situation. Otherguidelines, manufacturer recommendations, and federal, state, and local codes may apply. Any personnelworking on battery systems shall be aware of, and adhere to, all other applicable safety regulations.
4.1 Safety precautions
Always use caution when working on batteries because the potential for lethal voltages may exist at thebattery terminals and/or between the battery and ground.
4.1.1 Opening battery string while string is connected to a load
It is recommended that a battery disconnection means be used to isolate a battery from the system. If abattery disconnect is not provided, use extreme caution when removing the batery from the system. Theentire string voltage will appear across any two open points when the string is disconnected from thesystem. Arcing will occur when the circuit is opened or closed if the charger/rectifier is not capable ofsupporting the existing loads. This also will occur if the battery voltage and the system voltage are notproperly matched prior to the opening or closing action. For example, if the terminals are opened at theindividual cell level while the string is connected to a load, lethal voltages may be present across the opencircuit that is created by removing one side of the connection. Specialized training is required to performwork on live battery systems. (Refer to IEEE Std 1657.)