Energy Sector: Control of Hazardous Energy with Trapped Key Interlock Solutions

05 May 2022

The demand for cleaner and more efficient energy has resulted in changes to both the sources of generation and stricter guidelines in safety regulations. Companies responsible for the transmission and distribution of energy are tasked with finding the most efficient and cost-effective solutions during a time when different types of power are being generated from new sources.

The control of hazardous energy is imperative during maintenance and operations of MV/LV switching applications. Power to electrical equipment must be properly isolated to mitigate the risk of injury to personnel and or damage to equipment. Protecting personnel within energy operations with a trapped key interlock solution provides an added layer of safety, driving sequential operations, eliminating human error, and saving lives!

Continuous and self-generating power capabilities add complexity to the entire safety system. Energy environments typically involve multiple power sources which all need to be in a safe, power isolated condition before access is permitted to enter an area or open a switchboard panel. With a trapped key interlocking (TKI) solution, the isolation and the earthing conditions can safely be conducted, creating the conditions for personnel to safely perform maintenance activities. The TKI solution can easily be integrated on both new and old equipment ensuring that the entire electrical system is protected.

Typical examples of power isolation and access control in the energy sector include transmission & distribution, renewable energies such as wind farms, generator/back up power, uninterruptable power systems, and more. Where there is power and hazardous energy, a trapped key interlock solution is critical to saving lives.

3 steps to protection with a Trapped Key Interlock Solution

A trapped key interlocking solution consists of 3 defined actions: isolating hazardous energy, transferring, or exchanging sequenced keys, and accessing the protected area or equipment. Interlocks are designed specifically with these action in mind to ensure the comprehensive solutions operates effectively.

An isolation interlock is typically the initiating interlock and ensures the isolation of power. Once the equipment is de-energized, the interlock key is turned, engaging the bolt, blocking the power switch, and releasing the key. The interlock is now a physical barrier to preventing the equipment from being re-energized.

Now that power has been isolated, the released key can be taken to a transfer or exchange interlocks where there the access keys are trapped awaiting the introduction of the initiating key from the isolation interlock. Once the initiating key has been inserted and turned in the transfer block, the access key(s) are now released, and the initiating key is trapped.

The access key(s) can now be taken to the access points and inserted into the access interlock(s). Personnel can safely enter the area with peace of mind that the power has been fully isolated and cannot be re-energized until the trapped key solution is followed in reverse.

Conclusion

Everything we do is dependent on energy, and with each new day, we are seeing our lives impacted in more ways by the need for more power. Today’s world is demanding BIG data & connectivity. Ensuring power is cleaner and more efficient directly impacts how we keep today’s world energized and keeping people safe doing so is imperative.

Trapped key interlocks have been ensuring the safety of personnel across the energy sector for 100 years. The products and solutions have safeguarded thousands of lives and ensured the safe operation of critical equipment allowing substations, wind farms, packaged substations & data centres to run efficiently and effectively with less down time and higher operational safety.

For more information on how to implement a trapped key interlock solution at your energy facility, contact the experts.