What Every Scratch, Bubble, and Discoloration on Your Electrical Insulating Mats is Signaling

Have you ever heard electrical insulating mats manufacturers give some common maintenance tips? 

Did your manufacturer ever ask you to visually check your mats regularly? Why do you think this tip always makes it to the top of the maintenance guidelines?

Checking your electrical insulating mats will help you understand why they are getting damaged, how to prevent it, and what to do next.

What are the Hidden Reasons Behind the Signs of Damage on Your Electrical Insulating Mats?

Scratch

In busy workplaces, you may tend to move heavy machines and equipment from one place to another. Besides, your footwear may have an abrasive surface texture. Such movement can cause scratches in the electrical insulating mats. 

Scratching affects the insulating properties of the mats, and they will fail to protect you from electrical hazards. Thus, electrical insulating mats manufacturers suggest not to burn the mats with heavy foot-traffic, sharp or abrasive materials, and rigorous movements of bulk materials.

Bubble

Improper installation of electrical insulating mats can cause the formation of bubbles. When the application surface has dirt, moisture, and is not prepared, the adhesion fails. As a result, they trap air and create bubbles. 

On the other hand, if you use the wrong adhesives on the high voltage insulating mats, there can be bubble formation. Make sure to follow the guidelines of your electrical insulating mats manufacturers for proper installation.

Discoloration

If you see the color of your electrical insulating mats fade away, it means that they are aging. Exposure to UV rays and ozone for a long time can cause premature aging of the mats. Make sure to use protective sheaths if you are not using them. You can also store the high voltage electrical insulating mats in a clean, dry, shaded, and elevated area to avoid such problems. 

Besides, if you use harsh chemicals on your electrical insulating mats, it can hamper the color. You should use a mild detergent solution or a specialized agent to clean them. Hence, you should make sure to follow the operational guidelines that the electrical insulating mats manufacturers gave you.

Let us look into some more signs of damage that you might come across:

Cracks

Excessively low operational temperatures can make the electrical insulating mats brittle. As a result, they can develop cracks over time. Cracks can cause a sudden breakdown of your high voltage insulating mats. Thus, they do not remain non-conductive anymore. 

Small cracks can develop into big ones, and you will not have proper coverage. Thus, over time, this can compromise your electrical safety. Make sure to let your electrical insulating mats manufacturers know about the operational temperatures before purchase.

Swelling

If your operational temperature is too high, the electrical insulating mats can deform. They might swell or show abnormalities. Besides, too much water exposure can lead to seeping in of water that may cause swelling. 

Thus, you should make sure to follow your electrical insulating mats manufacturers to avoid such damage. Make sure to know the temperature resistance of your electrical insulating rubber mats before using them in extreme operational temperatures.

In a nutshell,

Such damage signs on your electrical insulating mats might mean that your mat is not fit to protect you from electrical accidents. Thus, you should immediately report the problem and consider repairing or replacing it.

Do not ignore your high voltage electrical insulating mats when you see these signs. They can become a liability instead of offering safety!

The following are some interesting FAQs you might want to check out!

How do insulating mats for electrical purpose minimize the chances of physical accidents?

Ans: Electrical insulation matting has a corrugated surface texture. Their surface texture is either ribbed or dotted. As a result, they increase the friction of the feet of the people to the mat. This increases the grip and reduces the chances of slipping or falling. Hence, they do not get serious injuries or fractures. 

Why do reputed suppliers have a higher-priced electrical insulating mats price list?

Ans: Reputed suppliers usually quote higher prices for their mats. This is because their mats are composed of high-quality elastomers. Besides, they are compliant with the industrial safety standards. Their mats undergo rigorous testing. The suppliers also provide good services, including support, customization options, and others.

What are the different electrical insulation rubber mat standards?

Ans: There are different standards for insulating mats. However, the three primary standards are IEC 61111:2009, ASTM D178, and IS 15652:2006 standards. There are other industrial safety standards for these mats, such as SIRIM, AS/NZS 2978:1995, BS EN 61111, and others.