H0V, BR, B2, B1V, BE Test…đ It’s really hard to navigate through all the symbols when you first approach the topic of electrical authorization training.
Yet it is key to understand these symbols in order to determine the authorization levels that correspond to the electrical or non-electrical operations carried out by your employees. We explain everything in the rest of the article. To identify the right symbol at a glance, try our authorization choice simulator now.
ELECTRICAL AUTHORIZATION SYMBOLS
The symbol of an electrical authorization can be composed of 2 or 3 characters + possibly an attribute. Each character has a specific meaning.
The 1st Character of Authorization
The first character indicates the voltage domain of the part of the works or installations on which or in the environment of which the qualification holder performs operations.
| Voltage Domain | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Low Voltage (LV) and Very Low Voltage (VLV) | choosing-electrical-authorizations |
| Haute Tension (HTA et HTB) | H |
The limits of the LV and VLV voltage domains are between 0 and 1000 V AC and between 0 and 1500V DC. Beyond these, it transitions to the HV voltage domain.
The 2nd character of the qualification
The second character indicates the type of operation; it is expressed either by a digit (0,1,2) or by a letter (F,R,S,C,E,P).
| Type of Operations | Symbols | Personnel | Examples of Professions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Electrical Work | 0 | Non-Electrician Worker and Site Supervisor | Cleaner, Construction Operator, Security Guard |
| Electrical Work | 1 | Performing Electrician | |
| Electrical Work | 2 | Electrical Work Manager | |
| Lockout/Tagout | C | Lockout/Tagout Manager | |
| General LV Operations | R | General LV Operations Manager | |
| Basic LV Operations | S | Basic LV Operations Manager | |
| Specific Operations | E | Specific Operations Manager | |
| Excavation Work in the Vicinity of Insulated Electrical Conduits | F | Worker and Site Supervisor | |
| Photovoltaic Operations | P | Manager of Basic PV String Operations |
Some clarifications regarding the symbols (it would be too simple otherwise đ ):
- The symbols for non-electrical operations (symbol 0 and symbol F) must be followed by the designation “Worker” or “Site Supervisor” depending on the worker’s role.
- The BE and HE symbols must be supplemented by an attribute: “Testing,” “Verification,” “Measurement,” or “Maneuvering.”
- The BP can only handle and connect photovoltaic modules using pluggable connectors during the initial installation of a PV string.
The 3rd character of the qualification
The third character, which is not always present, is an additional letter to the second character of the work (symbols 0, 1 or 2), specifying the nature of the operations.
| Nature of Operations | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Work carried out in the reinforced HV proximity zone (Zone 2) or de-energized electrical work in the reinforced LV proximity zone (Zone 4) | V |
| Live Work | T |
| Live Cleaning | N |
| Special Operation | X |
Special operations are those that do not fall under the previous designations. The employer may then, exceptionally, create a specific symbol, provided that the corresponding training and safety instructions are defined.
The Attributes of the Qualification
The attribute must necessarily complement specific operations (BE and HE). An attribute may optionally complement the B2V and H2V symbols (only for Testing). The 4 possible attributes are:
- Testing (BE / HE Testing, B2V / H2V Testing)
- Measurement (BE / HE Measurement)
- Verification (BE / HE Verification)
- Maneuvering (BE / HE Maneuvering)
Which qualifications are right for me? Take the test
IN SUMMARY
Summary Table of Symbols
