Rubber Electrical Safety Mats for Panel Rooms: IS 15652 Classes, Thickness and Testing

Diwali brings extra load on every electrical system: decorative lighting, temporary connections, festive production runs and the maintenance shutdown that follows. That means more people opening panels, operating breakers and working near live equipment, often in a hurry. The simplest protection in the panel room is also the most often skipped: a proper rubber electrical safety mat in front of every panel, of the right class for the voltage. This guide covers KT India's electrical mats made to IS 15652, how to choose the class and thickness, how to lay and test them, and the rescue hook and arc flash suit that complete a panel room safety kit.

Lay the mat along the full length of the panel row, flush against the plinth.
Choose the right product for the job

Product	Best for	Key details
Rubber Electrical Mat 3.3 kV 2.0 mm (Dozz)	LT panels, MCC and PCC rooms, distribution boards, UPS and server rooms	IS 15652 Class A, 2.0 mm thick, working voltage 3.3 kV AC, proof voltage 10 kV, dielectric strength 30 kV
Rubber Electrical Mat 11 kV 2.5 mm (Shock Safer)	11 kV HT panels, RMUs, transformer and substation rooms	Class B, 2.5 mm thick, 1 m x 1 m, working voltage 11 kV AC, proof voltage 22 kV, dielectric strength 45 kV
Rubber Electrical Mat 33 kV 3.0 mm	33 kV switchyards, grid substations and large industrial HT rooms	Class C, 3.0 mm thick, working voltage 33 kV AC, proof voltage 36 kV, dielectric strength 65 kV, priced per square metre
Rescue Hook KM-RH	Pulling a person away from a live conductor without touching them	Kusam Meco insulated rescue stick, 6 ft long, rated for 11 kV
Honeywell Arc Flash Suit 40 Cal	Racking, switching and testing on HT and high-fault-level LT gear	40 cal/cm² HRC 4 kit: coat, bib overall, hood with face shield, helmet, safety glasses and storage bag; ASTM F1506, NFPA 70E, CE

Which class do you need?
IS 15652 sorts insulating mats into classes by the voltage they protect against. Match the class to the highest voltage in front of which the mat is laid. Class A (2.0 mm, 3.3 kV) covers all LT installations up to 415 V and 3.3 kV motors. Class B (2.5 mm, 11 kV) is for 11 kV panels, RMUs and transformer rooms. Class C (3.0 mm, 33 kV) is for 33 kV switchgear. When in doubt, go one class up. Central Electricity Authority safety regulations require insulating mats in front of switchboards, so the right class also keeps your electrical audit clean.

For HT switching, the mat protects against shock and the arc flash suit against the blast of heat.
How to lay and look after electrical mats, step by step

1. Measure the panel row. Cover the full length of the panels and at least 1 m in front, the area where a person stands to operate them.
2. Clean and dry the floor. Remove oil, water, metal shavings and sharp debris so nothing punctures the mat from below.
3. Lay it flat and flush. Unroll the mat textured side up, push it flush against the panel plinth, and butt joints tightly with no gaps. Avoid folds and creases.
4. Keep it clear. Don't store tools, ladders or materials on the mat, and don't drag trolleys across it.
5. Inspect monthly. Look for cuts, cracks, holes, burns, oil swelling and hardening. Replace any damaged section straight away.
6. Clean gently. Wipe with mild soap and water. Never use petrol, thinner or oil-based cleaners, which weaken rubber.

The rescue hook and arc flash suit
If someone is stuck to a live conductor, the first instinct is to grab them, and that is how a second person gets hurt. Mount a rescue hook on the wall at the entrance of every panel room. Standing on the mat, the rescuer hooks the person around the body or arm and pulls them clear in one firm movement, then switches off the supply and starts first aid. For switching and racking on HT and high-fault LT gear, the Honeywell 40 cal arc flash suit protects against the intense heat of an arc flash. Store it in its bag near the HT room and make it mandatory for those jobs.

Practise with the rescue hook on a dummy, so nobody reaches for a casualty with bare hands.
Build a kit for your site

• Commercial building, hospital, mall or data centre: Class A mats in front of every LT panel, UPS and DB, plus a rescue hook at each panel room door.
• Factory with its own 11 kV supply: Class B mats in the HT and transformer rooms, Class A in the LT room, a rescue hook in each room and an arc flash suit for HT switching.
• Utilities, grid substations and large process plants: Class C mats for 33 kV switchgear, arc flash suits for every switching team, and rescue hooks at every control point.
• Festival lighting contractors and event sites: Class A mats in front of temporary distribution panels and generators, and a rescue hook at the main board.

Frequently asked questions
What thickness of electrical mat do I need for an LT panel?
A 2.0 mm Class A mat, such as the 3.3 kV Dozz mat, covers LT panels up to 415 V with a large margin.
What is the difference between proof voltage and working voltage?
Working voltage is the system voltage the mat is rated to protect against. Proof voltage is the higher test voltage the mat withstands during testing; for Class B it is 22 kV for an 11 kV rating.
How often should electrical mats be replaced?
Replace any mat with cuts, cracks, burns or oil damage. Inspect monthly, and keep spare lengths so a damaged section can be swapped the same day.
Does an electrical mat replace insulating gloves?
No. The mat insulates you from the floor; gloves protect your hands. Use both, along with the arc flash suit for HT switching.
Make your panel rooms audit-ready before the festive shutdown. Browse the full range of rubber electrical mats and rescue equipment, or use Enquiry Now on any product page for bulk and dealer pricing.