Woven asbestos insulates in electrical components
Description
Asbestos woven cloth and rope used as insulation in electrical components to prevent fire during short circuit. Also known as flash pads.
Woven cloth is usually made from chrysotile asbestos and the material can be up to 95% asbestos.
May have been installed initially or through life of equipment maintenance.
See Woven asbestos textile for insulation for other uses of same product.
Brands/products
N/A
Years of production/use
Prior to 1990
Residential uses
- Circuit breakers, fuse holders in meter boxes
- Switchboxes, choke boxes, relay boxes, contactor boxes
Industrial uses
- Electrical switch rooms, plant power units, lift motors. Plant electrical infrastructure
Be aware
Due to the likely high raw fibre content – these materials may be classified as friable in certain workplaces.
Any disturbance of older woven asbestos cloth may release fibres to become airborne.
