Working on or near live switchgear without insulation underfoot is one of the few mistakes an electrician doesn't get a second chance at, and this electrical safety matting gives plant rooms, switchboards and substations a fully rated insulating floor covering underfoot. It rolls out, cuts to length, and needs no fixing beyond its own weight.

Why it works

The mat is a solid SBR/NR rubber compound with a fine ribbed top surface and a cloth-impressed reverse, manufactured to the specification previously covered by British Standard BS921/1976 for electrical protective matting. Every roll is fully tested to a withstand voltage of 15,000V, with a recommended safe working voltage of 650V — the figure that matters when you're deciding whether a floor covering is adequate for the panel you're standing in front of. The dense 1.50 specific gravity compound and 70±5 Shore A hardness give a mat that stays put underfoot and resists the wear of a plant room floor, while the fine rib pattern adds grip that a smooth insulating sheet doesn't offer.

• Tested to 15,000V – with a 650V recommended safe working voltage
• Solid SBR/NR rubber – dense, hard-wearing compound at 70±5 Shore A
• Fine ribbed top surface – adds underfoot grip over a smooth insulating sheet
• Cut to your own length – ten metre lengths available from every roll width
• Cloth-impressed reverse – identifies the correct face and aids grip on the floor

Where it's used

High and low voltage switchgear rooms, plant rooms, power stations, manufacturing plant switch panels and any floor area in front of a distribution board or control panel are the standard applications. It's specified wherever a secondary layer of underfoot insulation is wanted in addition to the PPE worn by anyone working the panel.

Specifications

Choosing the right option

Pick the width that matches the working zone in front of your switchgear or panel first — 0.91m suits a single-panel standing position, 1.0m gives a little extra margin either side, and 1.2m is sized for a walk-and-work zone in front of a run of cabinets. Then choose the cut length to match the run of floor you need to cover; every width is available from 1m up to a full 10m roll, priced individually so you only pay for the length you actually need. For a continuous switchroom aisle, measure the full run and order the nearest length below it, then use a second cut piece to finish the remainder rather than trying to stretch one roll.

Installation, use & care

Unroll onto a clean, flat, dry floor and allow the mat to lie flat for a few hours before use — no adhesive or fixing is required for standard indoor plant room use, though double-sided matting tape can be used at the edges in higher-traffic areas. Sweep or vacuum regularly and wipe with a damp cloth; avoid solvents and oils, which will degrade the rubber compound over time. Inspect periodically for cuts, punctures or thinning, and withdraw from electrical service if the surface is damaged, since a compromised mat no longer offers reliable insulation.

FAQ

Is this current IEC 61111 certified matting? No — this roll is manufactured to the specification previously covered by British Standard BS921/1976, tested to 15,000V with a recommended 650V safe working voltage. If you need current IEC 61111 class-rated matting for a specific voltage class, check with a specialist supplier before ordering.

Can it be cut to a length you don't list? The listed cut lengths run from 1m to 10m in 1m steps for each width; for a non-standard length, order the next length up and trim to fit.

Does it replace insulating gloves and other PPE? No — electrical matting is a secondary layer of protection and is used alongside, not instead of, the PPE and safe systems of work required for the task.

Which side faces up? The fine ribbed face is the working surface; the cloth-impressed face sits against the floor.

Ordering & delivery

Choose your width and cut length above — all combinations are stocked as standard and despatch from UK stock. Order enough length in one piece to avoid an unnecessary joint across a walked or worked area.