Look after your electrically insulated gloves, store them in a decent case and they can easily last you 6-8 years. Do Insulated Gloves have an expiry date? Insulating gloves (see Electrical Gloves) provide personal protection for those at risk of exposure to electrical hazards. Electrically insulating material, such as rubber, prevents dangerous levels of electric current from passing into the glove-wearer’s hand and through their body. Specialist electrical insulating gloves, such as the new Unigloves Sibille Safe range , can protect against voltages up to 36,000 V, depending on the class of glove (see table below).

Inspect your gloves before each use and regularly test them to ensure they are fit for purpose and electrically safe. The UK’s Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 are clear about the need to cut off the power supply to any electrically powered equipment or wiring before working on or near it. In addition, they state that other precautions, including the wearing of suitable protective equipment, should be taken to prevent injury. EN60903 places great importance on the mechanical integrity of insulating gloves, as a puncture, tear or other physical damage can seriously compromise the product’s effectiveness. In the case of standard electrical insulating gloves, leather over gloves are recommended to be worn where added protection against mechanical hazards is required. This guide will focus on Class 0 Insulated Gloves that are typically used in EV/PHEV vehicle diagnostics and repair. Discover answers to common queries and questions related to insulated gloves.Improper use or care of electrically insulating gloves can be a matter of life and death. The gloves are generally manufactured from a rubber material and as such are susceptible to damage from sharp objects, dirt and grit. Top Tips on looking after your insulated gloves: Only wear the gloves when necessary during your work and avoid touching objects, benches, or the floor that may have dirt, dust, grit, grease, solvents or fuel on them.

A dielectric test on the gloves can be performed at the owner’s request and discretion but is not mandatory for Class 0 gloves. Our Sibille Portable Glove Inflator makes this an effortless task. It is also highly advisable to ensure the glove is clean, as the presence of dirt can easily hide defects, which may compromise the glove’s integrity. In addition, to maintain their effectiveness, electrical insulating gloves require careful storage – away from strong light, moisture and chemical interference. The Sibille ancillary range features cleaning fluid, protective bags and storage cases, to help you ensure the performance, cleanliness and longevity of your gloves.The EN60903 standard covers the following requirements: dielectric (insulating) properties; physical characteristics (including composition, shape, dimensions); mechanical features (including tensile strength, puncture resistance, tension set); and ageing and thermal properties. Optional tests in relation to specific properties, such as resistance to acids, oils and ozone, may also be carried out, where necessary. The leather over gloves in our Sibille Safe range provide added scratch and puncture resistance for our Sibille GLB gloves. Our Sibille Electrical Insulating Arc Flash Gloves feature enhanced mechanical protection and do not require an over glove to be worn. Wear leather over gloves over the top of the insulated gloves, especially when in a dirty environment or having to touch or be near sharp objects. Always keep your gloves in a storage case when not in use to minimise their exposure to a dirty environment and ultraviolet light. Using a UV resistant case/bag bag is essential. The gloves are easily compromised and damaged from sun light, heat and ozone. The best option to keep your gloves safe is storing them in a hard-case.