DeadEasy is a switchboard mounted, voltage indicator led that includes a self test function. It is a non-contact, 3 phase indicator that is primarily used to test for dead and therefore verify safety isolations as part of a lockout procedure.
DeadEasy tests an AC circuit to establish whether the circuit is both energised and de-energised ( alive and dead ). DeadEasy uses Super Bright LEDs so the test result is clear and obvious. DeadEasy provides non-electrical people with a simple and safe method of verifying MCC / Switchboard based, electrical isolations before conducting mechanical maintenance. In addition, confirmation of the de-energised state of the ac phase conductors inside a cabinet reduces the need to open the cabinet to test for dead and hence expose personnel to a potential Arc Flash / Fault. Confirmation of the de-energised state of the circuit inside the cabinet may reduce the level of Arc Flash PPE required to open the cabinet door.
It is simple and fast to use. No licenses are necessary. Anyone can operate DeadEasy, voltage indicator led.
DeadEasy three phase indicator tests the circuit under test by sensing the existence or absence of an electric field surrounding the electrical phase conductors. In essence, DeadEasy is a permanently installed, non-contact, phase indicator. While this testing approach is used extensively in medium and high voltage applications, DeadEasy's focus is low voltage (< 1,000VAC) systems. DeadEasy is switchboard / MCC mounted so that one DeadEasy phase monitor is dedicated to one circuit. It is ideally suited to installation within a motor control centre on controlled circuits. Specifically, on the short length, circuit conductors between the isolating device ( switch or circuit breaker ) and the controlling device ( contactor, soft starter or variable speed drive ).
DeadEasy Operation Videos - Requires Sound
Turn your sound up and click on the link below to view a short video of DeadEasy, voltage indicator led in action ...
This first video indicates the DeadEasy result achieved when a healthy isolation switch / circuit breaker / disconnect is tested...
This second video indicates the DeadEasy result achieved when a faulty isolation switch / circuit breaker / disconnect is tested.
In order to watch the YouTube videos, you need the following system requirements:
Macromedia Flash Player 7.0+ plug-in
Windows 2000 or higher with latest updates installed
Mac OS X 10.3 or higher
Firefox 1.1+, Internet Explorer 5.0+ or Safari 1.0+
Broadband connection with 500+ kbps
If you cannot view the above videos you can download them using the links below (requires Windows Media player 9+):
If you could not view the videos above, DeadEasy non-contact, three phase indicator is operated as follows:
With the Isolator on / closed / 1 the red LED only should be illuminated - Confirms that all 3 phases are energised
With the Isolator off / opened / 0 the green LED only should be illuminated - Confirms that all 3 phases are de-energised
With the Isolator off / opened / 0 and self test activated the red LED only should be illuminated - Confirms that 3 phase voltage sensing is operational and therefore validates the de-energised result achieved in step 2 above.
More DeadEasy Information?
Visit the Product Information page for detailed technical information including Data Sheet, Operating Manual and Installation Drawing.
Visit the DeadEasy FAQs page for typical DeadEasy, live line indicator questions and answers.
Alternatively, you can ask your own question by contacting us using one of the methods described on the Contact Us page.
DeadEasy Benefits
Users have commented that the DeadEasy voltage indicator led:
Allows non-electricians to perform a "Test for Dead" style test on an electrical circuit.
Is simple to use.
Provides a positive result in dirty and dark environments. DeadEasy Green LED On = Isolated. Whereas "Pilot / Neon Lamp" solution - lamp off = circuit isolated or just lamp failure? = Inconclusive!
Delivers test result confidence through an operator initiated Self Testing function.
Does not compromise the integrity of the power system as DeadEasy does not electrically connect to the power circuit. It is a non-contact, electric field, voltage sensing device
Is inexpensive.
Is simple to install. 25mm wide DIN rail mount electronics, HMI incorporating LED indicators and self test request all in one only 22.5mm panel lamp cut-out.
Has wide application. DeadEasy is suitable for new and retrofit installations and dusty, low and high ambient light environments.
Is flexible. DeadEasy, live line indicator allows subsequent verifications without reversal of the isolation ie accommodates late working parties.
Replaces traditional three single phase led / neon mains indicators.
Reduces exposure to arc flash / faults. The energised state of phase conductors is known before panel doors are opened to conduct tests.
Is reliable. Hand held, non-contact, voltage indicator leds depend on a user's unreliable connection to earth potential. DeadEasy's reference to earth is via a permanent wired connection.
Electrical Isolation Procedures / Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Procedures often require that electrical switches be tested so as to confirm that the switch is "electrically off" once the equipment has been isolated. Confirmation or verification is often performed on the following isolating equipment:
In many cases these isolation verification methods are complex, potentially misleading and expensive to perform.
DeadEasy, phase indicator exposes unsafe electrical isolations by detecting a failed isolation switch.
More "Confirming Electrical Isolations" Information?
The "Confirming Electrical Isolations" in the Technical Paper section presents a full analysis of:
Why you need to confirm electrical isolations
What options are available to confirm electrical isolations
What you need to consider when deciding on a method for confirm electrical isolations
Industry Best Practice methods for confirming electrical isolations
Isolation Procedure Steps and Redbusbar Products?
Isolation Procedure Steps are listed below together with the Redbusbar products that will assist your company. Click on the links to navigate to the product page.
Electrical Isolation Confirmation / Isolation Verification, Test for Dead Test Device - Base Unit
Note: Requires One DeadEasy (DE31), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface (DE31HMI), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface cable (DE31HMIC), Two DeadEasy Instrument cables (DE31IC)for 1 Isolation Switch
Electrical Isolation Confirmation / Isolation Verification, Test for Dead Test Device - Human Machine Interface
Note: Requires One DeadEasy (DE31), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface (DE31HMI), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface cable (DE31HMIC), Two DeadEasy Instrument cables (DE31IC)for 1 Isolation Switch
Electrical Isolation Confirmation / Isolation Verification, Test for Dead Test Device - Human Machine Interface Cable
Note: Requires One DeadEasy (DE31), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface (DE31HMI), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface cable (DE31HMIC), Two DeadEasy Instrument cables (DE31IC)for 1 Isolation Switch
Electrical Isolation Confirmation / Isolation Verification, Test for Dead Test Device - Instrument Cable (One only but two DeadEasy Instrument cables (DE31IC) for 1 Isolation Switch)
Note: Requires One DeadEasy (DE31), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface (DE31HMI), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface cable (DE31HMIC), One only but two DeadEasy Instrument cables (DE31IC) for 1 Isolation Switch
Electrical Isolation Confirmation / Isolation Verification, Test for Dead Test Device - Kit for 1 Isolation Switch
Including One DeadEasy (DE31), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface (DE31HMI), One DeadEasy Human Machine Interface cable (DE31HMIC), Two DeadEasy Instrument cables (DE31IC)for 1 Isolation Switch
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News
Nov 1, 2011
In April 2011 a minor change was made to DeadEasy 31 HMI PCB and DIN rail mount electronics PCB to provide better self test performance. The current version is Minor Revision 3. Normally the self test transmit signal path is from the transmitter through the lens cap, bounce off an operator’s hand, return through the lens cap and into the receiver which initiates a self test. We found that in the HMI Minor Revision 2, a portion of the self test transmit signal was passing through the HMI PCB and into the underside of the self test signal receiver. This issue came out of left field as manufacturer’s data suggests only the top face of the receiver will receive signal. The modification involved inserting a copper layer on the HMI PCB to block the bypassed transmit signal. This had the effect of reducing the ambient noise level and allowed us to reduce the self test transmit signal threshold on the DIN rail mount electronics PCB.
Users of DeadEasy 31 Minor Revision 2 should not be concerned as the “better self test performance” allows us to identify construction issues better at the time of pre-dispatch testing. The “better self test performance” is imperceptible to an operator. Future purchases will be of Revision 3 units.
Changes to the HMI PCB and DIN rail mount electronics PCB, however means that DeadEasy 31 Minor Revision 3 HMI and DIN mounted electronics are not interchangeable with Revision 2 components. The first DeadEasy 31 Minor Revision 3 versions carried the serial number #21D. Serial numbers are hexadecimal.
In general, we suggest that HMI PCB and DIN rail mount electronics PCB carrying the same serial numbers be kept together in the installation as they are both from the same construction batch.
