Is There An Electrical Rubber Mat Expiry Date- Know From The Experts
Well, if you are a frequent buyer of electrical rubber mats or use them in your workplace, being concerned about their life span is obvious.
 Electrical rubber mats are popular as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). They reduce the risk of getting electrocuted, arc formation, and electric short circuits.
 Widely used in transformer rooms, electrical substations, and near high voltage equipment like switchboards, control panels, battery charging stations, etc- their die-electric strength keeps them functional.
 But, yes, electrical rubber mats have an expiry date with their effectiveness getting reduced over time.
 In this blog, we will highlight the factors affecting their longevity, manufacturer guidelines, initial signs of damage, and expert insights on expiry and replacement.
How many types of electrical rubber mats are there?
Electrical rubber mat manufacturers follow three testing standards while making the electrical mats. These are the IS 15652, ASTM D178, and IEC 61111. Their class division and permitted working voltages are also different.
Thus, while you can easily get an IS 15652 electrical insulation mat for 11 kV, other types of rubber dielectric flooring may not have this type.
Take a look at this comparative study where we compare 6 various types of insulating mats.
Moving on, let's dig deeper into this blog:
What are the factors affecting the life span of electrical safety matting?
Several factors affect the life span of electrical safety matting. Some of these are-
Following the Manufacturer's Guidelines and Recommendations
A recognized and certified high di-electric strength mat manufacturer will provide you with a proper maintenance guideline. By adhering to this, you can expect an extended life span for the electrical mats. The manufacturer's guidelines commonly include:
If you are looking for a detailed guide on storing, transporting, installing, and testing of electrical rubber mats, click here!
Tracing the Initial Signs of Damage- Wear and Tear
Electrical mats are made of rubber that can wear with time. At first, the effect of aging can be seen on the edges- slowly spreading throughout.
Other vital signs that can be noticed in electrical insulation mats for 11kV or more are:
How do you know your electrical rubber mats have expired- Specialist insights
Specialists emphasize that electrical rubber mats do not have a set 'expiry date' as seen in food items or medicines- but they do need to be replaced. Here are some ways to know if the electrical mats 'cannot be used anymore':
What happens when you no longer use an electrical mat? You can recycle them. Follow this link to get an idea of how!
When there is no fixed electrical rubber mat expiry date, using the same ones for electrical equipment protection with visible warning signs is not wiser. Yes, a premium electrical rubber mat will keep you stress-free for a long period, but you have to replace it eventually.
We can understand how lengthy and time-consuming it is to buy industrial products. This is why we take pride in helping our customers with the 'ease of ordering'
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