How to choose engine crankcase protection? Important nuances and useful tips

General information

In order to reduce the risk of electric shock, organizational measures are being taken. Special technical means are also used. Protection against electric shock due to a short circuit to the housing requires the implementation of certain measures. In this case we are talking about special electrical safety measures. Protective measures include the following:

1. Separating transformers.
2. Insulation.
3. Low voltages.
4. Separating barriers.
5. Potential equalization.
6. Safety shutdown.
7. Zeroing.
8. Grounding.

Continuous insulation monitoring is also a protective measure. Individual devices and means also serve for safety.

Declension of the noun protection (which case)

Declension of words by case in singular and plural.

Scope of use

Loading equipment Telephony Sakhalin South Cable production Architecture

Grounding Features

This process involves a deliberate electrical connection to ground. This also applies to its equivalent metallic non-current carrying parts. They, in turn, may become energized. This occurs due to a short to body. There are also a number of other reasons for this phenomenon to occur. In accordance with the PUE, it has been established that all electrical installations that operate under the following voltage conditions must be grounded: direct current - 110 V, alternating current (implies industrial frequency) - 36 V. This also applies to fire and explosion hazardous premises. In this case, any electrical installations must be grounded. This does not depend on the type of current and its voltage.

About what types of protective plates there are

Metal protection

Metal protection, more common in our country. The reason is its reasonable cost. Among others, I would recommend buying galvanized rolled protection three millimeters thick, or some analogue made of stainless steel.

The more expensive aluminum option is chosen by those for whom a few extra pounds on a car is unacceptable. However, in the case of aluminum, the thickness of the protection must be at least 5 millimeters. The cost of aluminum crankcase protection will be higher than that of metal, however, the service life will be many times longer.

If money is not a problem for you, then I recommend paying attention to products made from composite materials. Such protection is slightly inferior to metal in terms of strength, but weighs much less, due to which it looks more advantageous compared to metal analogues.

Destination area

Protection against electric shock by creating a ground is the formation of a connection between the ground and the body of the device. In this case, the contact must have a sufficiently low resistance. Thus, if a short circuit occurs to the body of this device, when a person touches it, his life will not be in danger. That is, thanks to grounding, the current passing through the body will be of such a magnitude that it cannot cause harm to life and health. In this case, the ratio of human and device resistance is key. This is due to the fact that the first should be several times smaller than the second. Only then will the grounding device take on the bulk of the current.

Basic requirements for crankcase protection

There is no state standard for crankcase protection, because they do not apply to automobile units, the certification of which is mandatory under Russian rules. This explains the wide range of protection parameters offered on the market. The main requirement for protection is set by common sense: their main quality is strength and rigidity, which determine the ability to withstand impact loads.

When hitting an obstacle, part of the impact energy is absorbed by the protection itself and its fastening, and part is transferred to the body. In this case, the body and its elements should not be deformed. It is these conditions that the mechanical properties of such equipment must meet.

The rigidity of the protection can be considered optimal if deformation occurs only within the gap between it and the crankcase (usually this gap is selected within 20–30 mm, since its further increase leads to a decrease in ground clearance). This is due to the fact that:

• can lead to damage to the body, since all the impact energy will be transferred to it;
• protection with insufficient rigidity is sometimes capable of converting a frontal impact into a sliding one, but it can rest against the crankcase and damage it.

In addition, rigidity is determined by safety conditions - in the event of a frontal collision, the engine should move downwards and not towards the driver and front passenger. To prevent the protection from interfering with this, it is made with a downward deflection. This ensures its directional deformation when the front part of the car is crushed.

The strength of the protection is ensured by the design and materials used. It must be such that it can withstand a collision with a sharp stone, metal rod, etc. without serious damage.

The stronger and more rigid the protection, the more stiffening ribs it has and the greater their depth. The best model has deep relief over the entire area, which gives it high rigidity in both longitudinal and transverse sections.

The strength of the fastening is guaranteed by installing protection only on the power elements of the car - body side members, engine subframe, suspension cross member. Attaching the protection to weaker elements, such as the cross member under the radiator, is not strong enough; this is only permissible for anthers. If the protection is installed in this way, the radiator may suffer from an impact.

The strength of the fastening is also ensured by the use of appropriate fasteners - the strength and rigidity of the legs and protection brackets, and the material from which the bolts are made, become decisive.

The weight of the protection should be as low as possible while ensuring the necessary rigidity and strength. Therefore, its value for products offered by manufacturers is in the range of 7–15 kg, which does not lead to a noticeable increase in the load on the front axle of the car.

To determine the degree of rigidity of the protection at home, it is recommended to place it on the ground with its convex side up and stand on it. Good protection under a weight of 75 kg will bend no more than 10-15 mm without permanent deformation. If the deflection is greater, it is most likely a boot.

In addition to the above, good protections are characterized by the fact that they are installed on standard fasteners and there is no need to make additional holes in the body.

They must also have technological openings that make it easier to service a vehicle with installed protection, because eliminate the need for systematic dismantling when it is necessary to drain the oil, clean the filter, etc.

The quality of manufacturing of this equipment is also very important - the quality of painting, which, as a rule, serves as protection against corrosion, and trimming of edges, which affects not only the aesthetic perception of the product, but also the quality of its installation.

Another important attribute of good protection is the presence of rubber or plastic bumpers-shock absorbers at the points of contact with the car body, thanks to which the installed product does not vibrate, which means it does not create and even reduces the noise level in the cabin.

Additional Information

Grounding conductors connect electrical installations to the ground. They are metal rods. Grounding conductors consist of pipes (round or other cross-section), corners and strips. All of them are located in the ground in a strictly defined order and quantity. The grounding device is a set of special devices. Currently, this protective measure is used in certain networks that have an isolated neutral. Also, their operating voltage should not exceed 1000 V. There are cases when this is carried out in any neutral mode. For example, in those networks that have voltages above 1000 V.

How to choose engine protection?

The popularity of this protective device has led to the fact that “all and sundry” began to produce it, however, as practice shows, the reliability and quality of such products leave much to be desired. Such crankcase protection, as a rule, is created without taking into account any clear design features of a particular car, in other words, “by eye.” The consequences of installing such protective products can be different; in the best case, you will realize that you made a mistake and replace it with the original product; in the worst case, during a collision with an obstacle you will smash the pan of your car or tear off the “pseudo-protection” along with the fasteners. So I don’t recommend putting the issue of saving first when choosing a suitable protection option; take this purchase seriously.

Features of zeroing

This process consists of a deliberate electrical connection with a neutral conductor, which has metal non-current-carrying parts. They, in turn, may become energized. Grounding acts as a protective measure in those networks that have a solidly grounded transformer neutral. This is done using a special protective conductor or neutral wire. Thanks to these measures, any circuit turns into a short circuit. At the same time, the emergency section is switched off. This is done using a machine or fuse. Zeroing in networks with an isolated neutral is unacceptable. This is due to the high risk of phase loss. Thus, all pantographs located in the ground will be energized.

Automatic measure

Protective shutdown is a specific mechanism. Its main purpose is to ensure security. This occurs through a fast-acting (at a speed of up to 0.1 s) shutdown of the entire network and the emergency section for any type of fault. This also includes touching live parts. In this case, the high sensitivity of the system is of great importance.

Personal protection

What is personal protection? These are, first of all, measures that are aimed at ensuring your own safety.

When confronted with criminals or simply bandits, you must have certain skills and tools. Thus, individual protection is provided when a person can prove himself in hand-to-hand combat, which will help in self-defense. He can also always carry with him a pepper spray that is in working condition, or a stun gun.

Static electricity

It is formed under certain conditions. Charges accumulate during the movement of gases and liquids through pipelines, as well as during friction between two dissimilar materials. Static electricity is generated in agricultural production. Charges accumulate, for example, on the body of equipment that grinds grain, straw, and so on. Static electricity also appears when pumping petroleum products through pipelines or transporting them in tank trucks. The degree of electric shock is primarily determined by the amount of energy that is released during the discharge. As a rule, a blow is perceived as a push or a thrust. These effects can be strong, moderate or weak. The class of electric shock depends on the strength of the energy released. 0.05 A is considered life-threatening. Touching current-carrying elements may cause a burn on the skin. Paralysis of the heart or respiratory system is also possible.

Safety

There are certain measures to protect against static electricity. Their action is to prevent the formation of charges. Their drainage into the ground is also ensured. To prevent the formation of charges in the workplace, it is necessary to control the relative humidity of the air. It should be more than 70%. Statistical additives are also added to the main product. In addition, air ionization can be used. Inducing charges of the opposite sign on rubbing surfaces is widely used. In order to reduce static electricity during the draining of petroleum products and other flammable liquids, certain measures have been developed. First of all, it is necessary to avoid splashing the jet and its falling from a height. Thus, the drain hose must be lowered to the very bottom. Its end should be adjusted. It should be in such a position that the liquid slides along the walls of the tank rather than hitting them. There are affordable and effective means of protection against static electricity. One of these is the grounding of metal elements of containers and equipment that can presumably accumulate charges. With above-ground tanks, this activity is carried out using metal rods. They provide resistance to current flow. Transportation of petroleum products and dielectric liquids requires special equipment. In this case we mean cars that are equipped with conductive rubber. Metal chains serve to dissipate static electricity. It is necessary that in such conditions at least five links are in contact with the ground.

Types of crankcase protection material

To choose this part correctly, you need to focus on only two indicators:

• Automobile model.
• Material.

If with the first everything is clear - the protective plate is individual for each model, then with the second it is more complicated. After all, plastic, steel, aluminum, composites, and even titanium are used to make it. Which crankcase protection is better? Let's look at each material, because they all have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Metal

This version of the protective sheet is made of steel. This is the most common option, which has its own advantages:

• Relatively low cost.
• Prevalence – It’s easiest to find steel sheets for your car.
• Maintainability. In case of damage, steel protection can be easily repaired - straighten dents, weld holes.

Metal crankcase protection

But there are also disadvantages:

• The steel sheet is susceptible to corrosion and begins to rust quickly. Moreover, it takes on all external influences - stones, branches and grass quickly strip off the paint, and then water, dirt and snow freely fall on it, along with chemical reagents that are used to treat roads in cities.
• Steel protection is quite heavy, so the load on the shock absorbers noticeably increases, they sag more and are no longer as effective on uneven surfaces. It can also impair handling. If the shock absorbers are too soft, they may need to be replaced with harder ones.
• Steel protection is, of course, much better than plastic, but still worse than other options. A serious impact can penetrate 2-4 mm. sheet or at least press it firmly inward, which will not save the internal components from damage.

However, metal protection is still much better than no protection at all. If your budget does not allow you to purchase a more expensive one, then you can choose this option.

Aluminum

Aluminum sheet is noticeably more expensive than steel, but provides twice as much protection for the motor from damage. In addition, there are no problems with corrosion, although aluminum does oxidize, especially in the fastening areas, and this can make removing such protection difficult. And the appearance is not so beautiful. On the other hand, aluminum protection still looks more attractive than rusty steel.

Aluminum protection

One of the advantages is that when hitting, for example, a road or curb, aluminum does not produce sparks like steel. This is a plus for fire safety.

This option can also be repaired if damaged; dents are easy to straighten. In addition, aluminum is much lighter than steel, and such protection will have virtually no effect on the performance of shock absorbers and handling. The disadvantage is the high cost compared to steel.

Stainless steel

This option is in many ways similar to conventional steel, but has the advantages of greater strength and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel does not lose its appearance over time, but will cost much more. Finding such protection is quite difficult; most likely, it will have to be made to order, which will raise the price even more.

Stainless steel

Titanium

This is a very expensive option that is only wise to use for expensive cars. Titanium is a metal known for its great strength, but it is also lightweight. Therefore, such protection combines the best properties of stainless and aluminum - very durable, repairable, and lightweight.

Composite material

Composite materials use reinforcing fibers that are bonded with a base called resin. It can be fiberglass, carbon or Kevlar. The most common material and the cheapest is fiberglass, and the most expensive is Kevlar. In terms of strength, even fiberglass protection is 1.5 times stronger than steel, and Kevlar is 2.5 times stronger. At the same time, it is much lighter, although this advantage is somewhat offset by its large thickness.

Titanium crankcase guard

The biggest disadvantages of such materials are that if they are hit hard in one place, they can crumble and cannot be restored. If damaged or cracked, they are not repaired, but replaced completely.

First aid for electric shock

People exposed to voltage are at high risk. In most cases, life depends on how quickly the victim is freed from live paths. Timely and correctly provided first aid in case of electric shock is also of great importance.

The main measures to take in such a situation:

1. Disabling a section of equipment or electrical circuit (using a switch or other switching device).
2. Removing wires from the victim.
3. Pulling a person by his clothes.
4. Cutting or breaking wires (using a shovel with a wooden handle, an ax, a block, a stick, a dry board, etc.).

Additional events

First aid for electric shock includes not only the measures described above. Additional measures are taken if the above methods fail to stop the stress on the victim. In such a situation, it is necessary to trigger special protective devices. These include fuses, circuit breakers and other installations. To trigger them, it is necessary to cause a short circuit by throwing a metal object onto non-insulated areas or by grounding the phases. If it is impossible to quickly turn off the installation, measures should be taken to separate (free) the victim from the elements he touches. First aid for electric shock and lightning is carried out using special means. The simplest ones include rubber gloves or a dry cloth. Before freeing the victim, you must isolate yourself using a dry board, a rubber mat, or a tarpaulin folded in several layers. Any of these objects should be stood on before assistance is given.

Crankcase protection on vehicles with different drive systems

Another important point to consider is the drive of the car. Depending on it, the size of the sheet for protecting the crankcase or the number of these sheets will change.

The fact is that in a rear-wheel drive car it is necessary to protect not only the crankcase, but also, most often, the gearbox. In most of these cars, the gearbox is located in a separate unit, while in front-wheel drive cars it is installed in the engine compartment. If the car is rear-wheel drive, you will have to install a single sheet that protects the engine and gearbox, or two separate sheets - one on the crankcase, the second on the box. Accordingly, for a rear-wheel drive car, the cost of installing crankcase protection is higher.

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Features of the release of the victim

If a person squeezes the wires very tightly with his hands, they should be released by bending each finger separately. If the victim is energized at a height, he may fall if the power is turned off. In this regard, it is necessary to either prevent a fall or make it as safe as possible. When releasing, you must act carefully so as not to cause additional injuries to the person and not to suffer yourself. One way or another, it is necessary to protect yourself from possible electric shock when you first touch the victim. To do this, you should use improvised or standard means. If the injury occurs when a wire falls on a person, the voltage source must be discarded with a wooden stick. These are the main measures that need to be taken if an electric shock occurs. First aid should be provided as soon as possible. After the victim is released, he must be taken to the hospital. The same should be done with a person caught by lightning.