EN 61219:1993

Overview

EN 61219:1993 - Live working - Lance earthing is a CLC/European standard that covers equipment used for temporary earthing or earthing and short‑circuiting of electrically isolated parts of a.c. installations where disconnection has been verified. Commonly referred to as lance earthing, the standard defines the safety, performance and testing expectations for lance devices used to protect workers performing live‑working tasks.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard focuses on practical safety and reliability aspects of lance earthing equipment, including:

• Scope of application: Temporary earthing/earthing-and-short‑circuiting of verified isolated a.c. parts during live‑working operations.
• Device components covered: Requirements for lance devices with matching fixed contacts, guiding arrangements, enclosures, insulating elements and earthing cables (if present).
• Performance and safety requirements: Functional criteria that ensure safe connection, robust mechanical performance, and insulation/protection suitable for the intended live‑working environment.
• Testing: Specification of tests to verify performance and safety characteristics prior to use (mechanical, electrical and insulating tests appropriate to lance devices).
• Limitations: For devices containing separate short‑circuiting cables, the standard refers users to EN 61230 for additional guidance.

(EN 61219 does not change the general requirement that the part to be earthed must be verified as disconnected before application.)

Practical applications

EN 61219 is intended for organizations and personnel involved in live‑working safety and equipment procurement:

• Electric utilities and distribution companies - for substation and overhead/underground line maintenance where temporary earthing is required.
• Live‑line technicians and linemen - guidance on safe use and selection of lance earthing devices to protect workers.
• Equipment manufacturers and test labs - to design, manufacture and certify lance earthing devices to accepted European performance and safety levels.
• Contractors and safety officers - for defining safe work procedures and specifying compliant temporary earthing gear.

Related standards

• EN 61230 - referenced for devices containing short‑circuiting cables; consult for combined cable-based short‑circuiting requirements.
• Other live‑working and electrical safety standards may complement EN 61219 when defining complete protection systems and work procedures.

Keywords: EN 61219, lance earthing, live working, temporary earthing, earthing and short‑circuiting, CLC standard, worker protection, earthing devices.