DeadEasy Frequently Asked Questions

It is the only device that offers:
– Fail safe, continuous indication of deenergisation. Needed before and during maintenance.
– Positive, continuous indication of dead to live transition. Needed during maintenance.
– Self testing function. Both automatic and operator initiated.
– Non contact sensing. Simple new and retrofit installations. No weakening of the power system ie no fuses needed and no degradation of overvoltage withstand.

Refer to the comparison table below for a detailed comparison of available technologies and products.

No. DeadEasy does not replace legally required electrical testing procedures.
Many jurisdictions require electricians to verify de-energisation using approved electrical testing methods before performing electrical work.
DeadEasy is intended primarily to support electrical isolation verification for non-electrical maintenance activities.

DeadEasy can be installed with minimal switchboard modification and without direct connection to live power conductors.
Installation involves:
1. Mounting the Human Machine Interface (HMI) in a 22.5 mm panel hole.
2. Clipping the electronics module onto DIN rail.
3. Plugging in the HMI cable between the HMI and electronics module.
4. Wrapping the insulated sensing conductors around the insulated power conductors.
5. Plugging in the sensing conductors to the electronics module.
6. Connecting a 24 VDC earth-referenced power supply to the electronics module.
No stripping, disconnection or direct termination to varying power conductor sizes is required.
Many customers report total installation times of approximately 30 minutes, including MCC isolation procedures.

DeadEasy requires power to positively indicate a verified de-energised condition. Many installations already have a nearby control power supply that can be used for this purpose.
Where no auxiliary supply exists, some customers use a small DC UPS system or two 12VDC batteries (suitably vented) and battery charger. For example, a 24 VDC UPS with approximately 0.8 Ah capacity may provide:
– Approximately four hours of operation for one DeadEasy unit.
– Approximately one hour of operation for four DeadEasy units.
Actual operating times depend on battery condition. DeadEasy consumes approximately 1.2 W

Yes, although installation on conductors connected to the busbars is often preferred. Wrapping the sensing conductors around insulated conductors provides:
– Consistent coupling between sensing conductors and power conductors.
– Improved spacing consistency hence measurement accuracy.
– Simplified installation.
Where busbar sensing is required:
– Adequate busbar insulation must be present. Suitable heat shrink or solid insulation should be used.
– Sensing conductors from adjacent phases should be spaced (>25mm) to minimise phase-to-phase interference.
– Sensing conductors should be securely fixed.
Alternative installation methods include sensing conductors connected to voltmeter circuits, power meter circuits or dedicated conductor loops connected to each phase.

No. Wrapping is preferred but not mandatory.
The sensing conductors may also be installed along the length of the power conductor.
Regardless of the method used, installation should ensure that:
– The master sensing conductor remains closely coupled to the power conductor.
– The slave sensing conductor remains closely coupled to the power conductor.
– The master and slave sensing conductors remain closely coupled to each other.
Cable ties and appropriately rated heat shrink are commonly used to achieve these requirements.

DeadEasy does not electrically connect to the conductive parts of the power circuit.
The sensing conductors detect the electric field surrounding the energised power conductor without making conductive contact. As a result:
– Fuses to prevent against a short circuit are not necessary.
– Power system surge withstand capability is not compromised.
– Installation is independent of power conductor size.

Space constraints are common in MCC applications.
If electrical isolation verification is considered important, practical options generally include:
– Manual testing
– Visible Break Isolators (VBIs)
– DeadEasy
– SwitChek isolation switch tester
Many switchgear manufacturers offer mounting kits that relocate contactors and thermal overloads to create additional installation space

Potentially, although the impact is generally small.
The DeadEasy HMI requires a penetration of approximately to accommodate a standard 22.5 mm diameter pilot lamp.
Compared with solutions requiring multiple indicators or large viewing windows, the required penetration is relatively modest.
The suitability of any penetration should be assessed against the switchboard design and applicable fault containment requirements.

SwitChek and DeadEasy are designed for different applications.
SwitChek can verify an isolation whether the line side of the switch is energised or de-energised.
This makes it particularly suitable for field isolation switches where the line side is often de-energised.
DeadEasy requires an energised line side and is therefore most suitable for Motor Control Centres (MCCs) and Switchboards.

No specific regulatory approval exists.
In many jurisdictions, regulations require an effective means of verification but do not prescribe a specific technology.
This allows plant operators to select verification methods that are appropriate for their equipment, operating environment and risk profile.
Because regulations are often performance-based rather than prescriptive, formal endorsement by regulators is generally unnecessary.
Ultimately, responsibility for selecting an effective verification method remains with the plant operator.

No. DeadEasy is not listed or labelled as an NFPA 70E Absence of Voltage Tester.
NFPA 70E generally requires electrical workers to verify de-energisation using portable test instruments before contacting potentially energised conductors.
While NFPA 70E permits certain permanently installed devices under specific circumstances, DeadEasy was intentionally designed for a different purpose.
DeadEasy is intended to support electrical isolation verification for non-electrical maintenance activities.
Industry experience suggests that approximately 90% of electrical isolations are performed to support non-electrical maintenance activities rather than electrical work.

Yes. DeadEasy is certified for installation in North America.
DeadEasy is certified under UL File E353406 and carries both UL and cUL mark.
It was evaluated to UL61010-1 and provides:
– CAT IV, 300 VAC Line-to-Neutral (718 VAC Line-to-Line equivalent)
– CAT III, 600 VAC Line-to-Neutral (1,039 VAC Line-to-Line equivalent)

No.
The self-test applies less than 1 V to the power conductors.
This test voltage is insufficient to create a hazard for personnel working on associated equipment.

Yes. DeadEasy can reduce worker exposure to arc flash hazard and the risk of electric shock.
One of the most effective ways to reduce arc flash risk is to remove electrical energy before opening an enclosure.
DeadEasy provides confirmation that power has been removed from the MCC compartment before the enclosure is opened.
In addition, if during electrical works circuitry was to become energised, DeadEasy’s Green LED will extinguish and its Red LED will illuminate. Positive and fail safe indication for both energised and de-energised states of the power system.

DeadEasy incorporates self-testing and fault-detection principles designed to prevent unsafe indications.
DeadEasy has undergone extensive laboratory, field testing and industry use since 2008.
A Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) concluded that:
– A single fault will not prevent the safety function from operating.
– Faults are detected and indicated to the operator.
– The device will not falsely indicate a de-energised condition when the circuit remains energised.
For users familiar with functional safety standards, DeadEasy 32 has been assessed as:
– ISO 13849-1, Category 3, Performance Level d (PL d)
MTTFd: High, DCavg: Medium, CCF: Pass
Alternatively, If you are familiar with Functional Safety eg IEC 61508 the following DeadEasy 32 information may be of benefit: