What extinguishers are used to extinguish wiring?

Fire in electrical installations is very dangerous not only because of the fire, but also because of the presence of high voltage in the emergency area. That is why to extinguish the shield or electrical equipment you need to proceed only after the complete removal of voltage from the line. However, the problem is that it is not always possible to turn off the electricity, especially if the issue of eliminating an accident needs to be solved in the same second. In this case, you need to be armed in advance and know what kind of fire extinguishers extinguish electrical installations up to and above this value. Next, we will consider this extremely controversial issue in detail, which has been discussed more than once in various thematic forums.

Fire Photo

Contents:

What does the set of rules mean?
Overview of existing
facilities Foam and water
Powder
Carbon dioxide
Summing up

What is the set of rules?

First of all, let's turn a little to the theory and let's bring to your attention the set of rules of SP 9.13130.2009, which reads as follows:

Powder extinguishers can extinguish electrical equipment up to 1000V;
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are allowed to extinguish electrical installations under voltage up to 10000 V( 10kV);
If the content of water vapor in carbon dioxide exceeds 0.006%, and the length of the extinguishing agent jet is less than 3 meters, carbon dioxide can only be used to extinguish electrical equipment with a voltage of up to 1 kV.

It seems that everything is clear, but what nuances need to be considered when extinguishing electrical appliances and electrical installations? This is not particularly written either in the codes of rules or in the PUE.That's why we'll talk in more detail about what types of extinguishers are allowed to extinguish the wiring or even the shield.

Overview of existing

facilities. Foam and water

. If the electrical installation is not under tension, then with special permission it is permissible to use water or foam type fire extinguishers( AFP, OHP, OB) for extinguishing the fire. This permission is given by the dispatcher of the power network on which the accident occurred. The reason the dispatcher must give permission is the visible breakage of the cable line, which feeds the ignited electrical equipment. Foam

In other cases, water and foam extinguishers should not be used to extinguish the appliance, especially under voltage.

Powder

If the ignition occurred in the area of the mains with a voltage of up to 1000 V( for example, the fire of the electrical panel), then it is possible to extinguish the wiring with a powder fire extinguisher. Such means quickly knock down a flame, tk.layer of inert powder prevents oxygen from entering the ignition focus of electrical equipment. Especially effective are fire extinguishers of the OP series when extinguishing burning insulation in an electrical installation. It should also be noted that the powder type of products can be used even under voltage, if it is not higher than 1 kV.

Marking of powder fire extinguishers

Carbon dioxide

Well, the most efficient for extinguishing electrical equipment and electrical appliances are carbon dioxide fire extinguishers of the OU series. The elimination of the flame occurs due to the low temperature of the fire extinguishing agent, which will allow not only to bring down the fire, but also to cool the glowing sections of insulation. Of the disadvantages of carbon dioxide can be noted only the harmful evaporation of this substance. That is why it is forbidden to extinguish electrical installations in enclosed spaces.

Appearance of OU-2, OU-3, OU-4

As for the advantages over the type of OP, the following can be distinguished:

Carbon dioxide does not leave traces after evaporation and at the same time does not damage the ignited electrical equipment. This is especially important when extinguishing computer equipment or a lighted TV.Why, and so it is understandable.
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers can extinguish electrical installations under voltage up to 10,000 volts( 10 kV).

Summing up

Here we have examined what extinguishers extinguish electrical installations and electrical equipment. If the issue of fire elimination has arisen in your home, where the voltage can not be more than 380 Volts( 0.4 kV), you must turn off the electricity, and then use either a powder or a carbon dioxide type of product.

In the case of extinguishing the switchboards under voltage up to 10 kV, it is strongly recommended that you first try to turn off the power, after which you already have to proceed to eliminate the source of the flame. Often cases, when the extinguishing of electrical installations under tension, an accident occurs - a person is electrocuted. One of the causes of the defeat is the occurrence of an electric arc from electrical equipment with damaged insulation.

Finally, let us summarize what fire extinguishers can be used to extinguish electricity at various voltages:

400 Volts( 0.4 kV) - powder, carbon dioxide, chladone, water and foam( the last two in the absence of power in the emergency area).
1000 volts( up to 1 kV) - powder and carbon dioxide.
10000 Volts( up to 10 kV) - carbon dioxide.

We also recommend you to watch a video lesson, which clearly shows how extinguish electrical installations and electrical equipment:

Correct fire elimination

YouTube Trailer
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