Electrician's glove

The risks of accidents and injuries are high when working on live equipment, low-voltage equipment or equipment that is de-energised. An electrician’s hands are the part of the body most exposed to electrical currents. To work safely, the use of specific gloves is mandatory.

Why are specific gloves essential for electricians?

Professionals working on electrical installations are exposed to significant risks (electric shock, electrocution, electrical burns). They must always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety shoes and specific work clothing, to carry out their tasks safely and with peace of mind.

Insulating gloves, also called electrician’s gloves, are part of this equipment. They are specifically designed to protect professionals against electric shocks when working on live systems or near live equipment.

What are the different types of electrician’s gloves?

There are two types of electrician’s gloves: latex electrical insulating gloves and mechanical electrical insulating gloves.

Latex electrical insulating gloves

They have excellent dielectric properties and provide effective protection against electric shocks. However, they do not offer mechanical protection. For tasks that require this additional protection, over-gloves made of leather or latex must be worn over the top. In addition, the over-gloves can help extend the life of the electrical insulating glove.

Mechanical electrical insulating gloves
Formerly known as composite gloves, these provide mechanical protection (against punctures, cuts, etc.) in addition to insulation against electric shocks. These gloves do not require the use of over-gloves.

Some versions are also designed to resist acid (A), ozone (Z), oil (H), very low temperatures (C) or multiple elements (R for combined resistance to A, H + Z), providing additional protection.

Explore our hand protection section to discover our range of cut-resistant gloves and gloves designed for precision handling.

How to choose electrician’s gloves according to standards and use?

Standards

Insulating electrician’s gloves must comply with standard EN 60903, which specifies the requirements, test methods and marking for insulating gloves. They are subject to voltage, ageing and mechanical testing.

Gloves intended for electrical work are divided into 6 categories according to the operating voltage.

For maximum operating voltage in AC:
• 00: 500 V
• 0: 1,000 V
• 1: 7,500 V
• 2: 17,000 V
• 3: 26,500 V
• 4: 36,000 V

For maximum operating voltage in DC:
• 00: 750 V
• 0: 1,500 V
• 1: 11,250 V
• 2: 25,500 V
• 3: 39,750 V
• 4: 54,000 V

Mechanical electrical insulating gloves must also comply with standard EN 388 (protection against mechanical risks), which defines resistance to abrasion, cutting, tearing and puncture.

You can check the markings on the gloves or the product sheet to identify their characteristics and level of protection.

Comfort and dexterity

To allow professionals to handle their tools precisely and perform tasks with dexterity, it is important to select ergonomic gloves. These adapt to the hand and promote smooth movements while ensuring optimal protection against electric shocks.

Which gloves should be used for live work?

For live work, it is necessary to choose insulating gloves bearing the double triangle symbol. This indicates compliance with IEC 60 417-5216 relating to live working.

Which gloves should be chosen for de-energised work or maintenance?

For de-energised work or maintenance, mechanical electrical insulating gloves are recommended. They can be identified by the normative marking representing a hammer.

Rubix selection of electrician’s gloves
To meet the needs of professionals, Rubix offers certified insulating electrician’s gloves that are comfortable to wear. These PPE products come from leading brands such as Ansell, Uvex and Polyco who are known for their expertise and know-how.