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Insulated Shovel - BS8020 Testing
Many manufacturers are claiming to manufacture BS 8020 Insulated Shovels. The BS 8020 specification is very comprehensive and covers mechanical testing of each tool to prevent accidents resulting in mechanical failure as well as the electrical testing which is standard.
STEL are one of the few companies to have the full suite of testing equipment to fully test and certify to the BS 8020 standard. Without every part of the BS8020 testing procedure completed and adhered to, you are not actually buying a BS8020 tool.
When we test our insulated shovel, we test thoroughly, accurately and with completely in accordance with the BS 8020 specification. This way we can guarantee that our customers receive a quality tool that will provide maximum safety on site.
How We Test Our Inuslated Shovel
Insulated Shovel - BS 8020 Visual Check
The insulated shovel is visually checked to ensure that is free from construction defects. The marking on the shaft of the insulated shovel is also checked to determine whether or not it confirms to the BS 8020 specifications. It is important that the markings are permanent as these specify voltage, year of manufacture and batch numbers for traceability.
Insulated Shovel - Dimensional Check
The dimensions of the insulated shovel are checked to determine that they conform to our detailed specification. We ensure that each insulated shovel is manufactured exactly as the last to provide consistency of quality and safety.
Insulated Shovel - Mechanical Test
Before any of our mechanical tests are conducted, we condition the insulated shovel to certain temperatures (high and low) for a total of 4 hours. The insulated shovel is left to reset to room temperature for 30 minutes after each timed temperature conditioning procedure.
Handle grip sleeve adhesion
The handle is secured into our bespoke testing machinery. A force of 100N is applied in the same plane as the handle to test that the handle will remain secure.
Handle pull-apart - test
The insulated shovel working head is placed in to our testing machine and restrained. A loading jaw is then applied to the handle. We gradually apply a force of up to 15000 N depending on the working head mass in KG. We complete this test to ensure that the working head remains firmly attached to the working handle.
Handle material bend test
We position the insulated tool vertically attached firmly secured within our torque testing machine. Torque is then applied anti-clockwise and equally distributed between and within 100mm of each handle end, progressively increasing to 120 N m. We maintain this torque at a 120 N m for 10 seconds. We do this to ensure that the rotational deflection of the handle in relation to the working head does not exceed 25 degrees and there is no audible or visible signs of stress.
Handle torsion test
The insulated shovel is also tested in accordance with BS 876. We apply a force to the handle material of the insulated shovel at an angle of 90 degrees. We apply increase the force progressively to 750 N and maintain the force for at least 10 seconds. We ensure that the tool remains within the specifications of BS 8020 for this test.
Insulated Shovel - Electrical Tests
Fibreglass Shaft
Our insulated shovel fibreglass shaft is immersed in water at specific temperature for 24 hours. The shaft is then wiped dry. Two electrodes are placed around the fibreglass at a separation distance of 24mm. We then place a voltage of 10kV a.c. (r.m.s) 50 Hz continuously for 3 minutes across the electrodes. We then test to ensure that there has been no electrical breakdown and the leakage current does not exceed 1 mA.
Finished Insulated Shovel
Before testing, we condition the tool as described above. Two electrodes are then placed on the insulated shovel, one around the metallic working head, the other between 100mm and 150mm from the handle end. A voltage of 10 kV a.c. (r.m.s) 50 Hz shall be applied continuously for 3 minutes across the electrodes. We then test to ensure that there has been no electrical breakdown and the leakage current does not exceed 1 mA.
Insulated Shovel - Flammability
This test is carried out on the fibreglass shaft of the insulated shovel. We apply a natural gas burner so the flame just touches and acts on the test piece for 10 seconds. The flame is then withdrawn and any flame propagation on the fibreglass is observed for 20s. Within this time, we observe to ensure that the flame is self-extinguishing.
Durability of marking
We rub the marking on the fibreglass shaft for 15 seconds with a rag soaked in water and then 15 seconds with a rag soaked in ethyl alcohol to ensure that all safety markings remain legible.
Insulated Shovel - Routine tests
We perform routine tests on all finished insulated shovels to guarantee maximum safety potential of the shovel.
Visual Check
We perform a visual routine check on our insulated shovel to ensure that the integrity of the shovel is still intact.
Electrical Test
We perform the same electrical tests as outlined above however we do not condition the tool with water and the duration of the applied voltage is 1 minute.
Sample Tests
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