Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996) Regulations Mine Health and Safety Regulations Chapter 3 :  Electricity Definitions

 

In these regulations, unless the context indicates otherwise:

 

"Accredited Test Laboratory" (ATL)

means an organisation that is accredited by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).

 

"Arc Flash"

means an uncontrolled electrical discharge through the air between conductors or between a conductor and earth. The resulting discharge of energy can result in fire, serious damage to electrical apparatus and injury or death to a person.

 

"Armouring"

means a metallic covering of an electric cable, in the form of tape, wire or tube enclosing one or more conductors to provide adequate mechanical protection against damage.

 

"Bus-coupler"

means a device, or set of devices, needed to facilitate the connection of two parallel circuits.

 

"Bus-section"

means a device, or set of devices, that will extend a bus-bar to another.

 

"Circuit"

means an interconnection of electrical elements such as resistors, inductors, capacitors, transmission lines, voltage sources, current sources and switches which have a closed loop giving a return path for the current.

 

"Clearance"

means a minimum distance any part of a person's body or any work tool may encroach to any unearthed, bare conductor or to any unearthed and unscreened conductor.

 

"Collectively Screened"

means having a conductive covering enclosing all power conductors as well as all control conductors within the protective outer sheath of a cable.

 

"Conductor"

means any substance or material which can transfer an electrical charge along or through it and is connected to an electrical circuit.

 

"Dead"

means at or about zero potential with respect to the general mass of earth and disconnected from any live reticulation system.

 

"Domestic Voltage"

means a voltage not exceeding 230V ± 10% alternating current phase to neutral.

 

"Earthed"

means connected to the general mass of earth in such a manner as will ensure at all times an immediate discharge of electrical energy without risk.

 

"Electrical Apparatus"

means any apparatus, machine and fitting in which conductors are used, or of which they form a part.

 

"Electrical Single-Line Diagram"

means a diagram that shows, by means of single lines and graphic symbols, the general layout of an electric circuit or system of circuits.

 

"Flexible cable"

means a cable of which the conductors consist of strands of diameter not exceeding 0,51 mm and of which the insulation and covering are such that they afford flexibility and in which the nominal cross sectional area of each conductor exceeds 4 mm2, but shall not include signalling cable, telephone cable, blasting cable, or flexible cord used with electric apparatus at a voltage not exceeding domestic voltage alternating current on a single phase system.

 

"Flexible cord"

means a cable of which the nominal cross sectional area of each conductor does not exceed 4 mm2 and of which each conductor consists of strands of diameter not exceeding 0,31mm.

 

"Hazard Classification"

A system developed for categorizing electrical hazards based on the voltage and fault level ratings for electrical components.

 

"High Voltage (HV)"

a set of nominal voltage levels in the range 44 kV and above to 220 kV.

 

"Individually Screened"

means having a conductive covering enclosing power conductors individually within the protective outer sheath of a cable.

 

"Isolation"

means disconnecting the apparatus from all possible sources of electrical potential and locking the apparatus in such a manner so that no energisation can take place.

 

"Insulated"

means covered with any material that has the characteristic of low electrical conductivity such as to prevent an electrical discharge.

 

"Live"

means electrically charged.

 

"Lockout-tagout" (LOTO) or lock and tag

is a safety procedure which is used to ensure that machines / switchgear and Electrical equipment are properly isolated, de-energized and tagged.

 

"Low Voltage (LV)"

means a set of nominal voltage levels that are used for the distribution of electricity, the upper limit of which is an a.c. voltage of 1000V or a d.c. voltage of 1 500 V.

 

"Medium Voltage (MV)"

means a set of nominal voltage levels above the range of 1 000 V to below 44 kV.

 

"Metallic Covering"

means iron or steel armouring or metal conduit surrounding two or more conductors with or without a lead or other metallic sheath as required in terms of operational conditions.

 

"Moveable Electrical Apparatus"

means electrical apparatus, excluding self-propelled mobile machines or portable electrical apparatus, which is not installed on permanent foundations and is intended to be moved from place to place.

 

"Overhead Power Line"

means an overhead line erected to convey electrical energy for any purpose other than communication but excluding the overhead contact or catenary wires of an electrical traction system.

 

"Permit to Work"

is a formal, written, safe system of work to control potentially hazardous activities. The permit details the work undertaken and the necessary precautions to be taken.

 

"Portable Electric Apparatus"

means electric apparatus, which is designed to be carried by hand, and may require electric power while being used.

 

"Reticulation System"

means a circuit or combination of circuits.

 

"Substation"

means a location containing medium or high voltage switchgear and associated equipment for the purpose of isolation, feeding, protecting and energising electrical equipment and reticulation systems.

 

"Switchgear"

general term covering switching devices and their combination with associated control, measuring, protective and regulating equipment, also assemblies of such devices and equipment with associated interconnections, accessories, enclosures and supporting structures.

 

"Trackless Mobile Machine"

means any self propelled mobile machine that is used for the purpose of performing mining, transport or associated operations underground or on surface at a mine and is mobile by virtue of its movement on wheels, skids, tracks, mechanical shoes or any other device fitted to the machine, but excludes:

 

"Trailing Cable"

means cable used to supply power to any mobile machine and movable electrical apparatus which is designed to be dragged across the ground.