Standard test finger

[RegElec]

Does anyone know what the dimensions are of the standard test finger.

I currently have a stainless steel industrial DB which has C/B's, terminals and E/L's mounted on DIN rail. The common bus-bar on top of the C/B's are all of the insulated type. All the internal wiring is through narrow slot PVC trunking. There is a solid door on the front which can be opened without the use of panel key.

I personally feel that the screw connections at the DIN C/B's and terminals are quite recessed and that it would take quite an effort to be able to touch the terminals and receive a shock hence the question on the standard test finger. I am reluctant to cover all the connection point with perspex or similar.

Any thoughts on this.

[AndyD]

Doesn't the door require a triangular or 6mm square key to open it? If so then the panel requires a tool to enter so the effective IP rating of all the internal connections and components follows the IP rating of the panel itself. I wouldn't ever attempt to get all the connections and components in a panel or DB to pass the finger test. You could just padlock the door.

[RegElec]

That would be the easiest but the main switch is mounted inside the panel and therefore access cannot be restricted to the use of a tool in case of emergency.

[adrianh]

Could you please tell us what a "standard test finger" is?

[Dave A]

I've attached a scan of the diagram with dimensions per IEC 60529.

I see you can buy them here.

And for Adrian, this is roughly what it should look like.

[adrianh]

What is it used for and how does it work?

[Dave A]

It's a tool to test for the "finger safe " level of physical ingress protection. It's to do with the IP rating of enclosures.

[AndyD]

Lol, the finger test is nowhere as exciting as it sounds I'm afraid Adrain

That would be the easiest but the main switch is mounted inside the panel and therefore access cannot be restricted to the use of a tool in case of emergency.

Install a DIN mounted isolator switch and a door mounted handle and extension kit....then padlock the door.

[Gamatwp]

Door mount can be a problem if the panel is more than 400mm deep, think the cheapest might be to move the main isolator to the sides or directly onto the door and the padlock him ofcourse.