Why should unauthorized personnel be kept outside of the test area when conducting an EHV breaker test?

Keeping unauthorized personnel outside of the test area during an Extra High Voltage (EHV) breaker test is primarily for safety reasons. EHV systems involve high voltages that can be extremely dangerous to individuals who are not trained or equipped to handle such situations.

The presence of unauthorized personnel increases the risk of accidents, such as electrocution or unintended equipment activation. Proper safety protocols dictate that only qualified individuals should be present where safety hazards are present, particularly in high-stakes environments like substation testing. This measure protects not only the personnel who are conducting the test but also anyone else who might inadvertently enter the test area.

While minimizing distractions and protecting testing equipment are important considerations, the paramount concern in such high-risk environments is ensuring the safety of all individuals involved. Without adhering to strict access controls during testing, there is a significant risk to life and health. Thus, securing the test area from unauthorized access is a critical safety protocol.