Can You Lay Electric Anti-slip Mats Over Electrical Wires?

Published On: July 29th, 2024

Electrical anti slip mats protect you from electrical accidents and save you from being physically injured. An Anti slip rubber mat is also known as an anti skid mat or safety floor mats.
Did you know 67% of falls happen from slips and trips on the same level? (OSHA) While electrical accidents at a workplace are concerning, injuries from falls can also halt your business operations.
According to OSHA, the main causes for slips arise when the friction between your footwear and the flooring decreases. This happens due to:

  • Inappropriate flooring
  • Oil or wet floors
  • Spills
  • Weather hazards like rainfall

On the other hand, you trip when your shoes get stuck somewhere or you collide, eventually losing balance; which happens due to:

  • obstructed pathway
  • poor lighting
  • wrinkled flooring
  • uncovered cables
  • uneven walking surfaces

If you go through the leading causes behind slips and trips, you will find one common thing- an inappropriate, wrinkled, or uneven flooring surface.
Here, anti slip mats come into the picture. High voltage rubber mats transform into an anti skid mat with its distinctive surface designs. Unlike a plain electrical mat, the anti slip mats have an innovatively designed, textured surface that creates a vacuum on the floor when installed. Thus, do not move away from its original place, even when there is heavy foot traffic.

But can you lay an anti skid mat over electrical wires? We will explore the compatibility of electric anti-slip mats with electrical wires, safety concerns, installation guidelines, and manufacturer recommendations to ensure safe and effective use.

Are you ready?

Are electric anti slip mats compatible with electrical wires?

The purpose of an commercial rubber mats like the electrical mats is to insulate individuals from electric shocks. They are made from non-conductive materials like rubber that add to their di-electric strength.
These electric electrical room flooring mats can be laid over electric wires, provided these below conditions are met:

  • Insulation Quality: A rubber sheet for electrical panel must have proven insulating properties to ensure no electrical current passes through.
    How to know your insulating anti skid mat is of good quality? Check if it comes with quality certificates. An IS 15652 electrical protection flooring mat will come with an ERDA test certificate. The IEC 61111 and ASTM D178 industrial electrical safety mats will come with their individual manufacturer’s test certificates, as well.
    Typically, the IS 15652 mats are tested following the Asian working conditions- but they are acceptable in India and not in other Asian countries like Singapore.

  • Wire Protection: Along with your switchboard matting rubber, the wires beneath the mat should be properly insulated and protected to prevent damage or exposure. You should keep them in check for loose connections, broken wire casings, and twisted ends.

  • Load Capacity: The electrical mat must be able to handle the weight and traffic expected in the area without compromising the integrity of the wires beneath.

If you have a complex network of multiple wires underneath, you should go for a thicker electrical anti skid mat; preferably class 4 IEC 61111 or ASTM D178 (as per your geographical location).
If you are in the GCC countries and want to get an electrical mat- IEC 61111 or ASTM D178, which electrical mat would you choose? Click here to learn!

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What are the safety concerns and risks of doing that?

While you can lay the electric anti slip mats over electrical wires, keep in mind these safety risks and concerns:

  • Wire Damage: Heavy foot traffic or equipment moving over the anti skid mat can potentially damage the wires beneath, leading to exposure and electrical hazards.

  • Moisture Accumulation: If moisture seeps under the mat, it can create a conductive path for electricity, increasing the risk of electrical shock

  • Heat Build-up: Electrical wires generate heat, and if the mats do not allow for proper ventilation, heat build-up can occur, potentially leading to wire insulation degradation or even fire hazards.

This situation can worsen if the climate is naturally hot like in UAE or Saudi.
You can easily keep these safety concerns in check by installing the rubber floor mats following our installation guidelines.

Installation Guideline for Placing the Electrical Mats over Electrical Wires

  • Pre-Installation Inspection: This is not at all an extensive process as it only needs you to keep your eyes open. Inspect the area for any pre-existing damage to the wires and ensure they are properly insulated.

  • Proper Placement: An electric anti skid mat is not as flexible as a rubber sheet. Therefore, you should not fold them unevenly. Instead of folding, lay the mats in a way that minimizes movement and ensures they stay flat.

  • Securing the Mat: Secure the high voltage rubber mats using adhesive or fasteners appropriate for the surface to prevent it from shifting and exposing the wires. However, the IEC 61111 electrical mats and ASTM D178 switchboard mats are usually thick. Therefore, they do not need any extra adhesive or tape for installation.

You will find it exciting to browse through our interactive electrical mat catalogs. Not only do they contain zoomable photos, but they also have many touchpoints.
What are the 5 benefits of buying anti slip mats from an interactive catalogue?

  • Periodic Inspection: Regularly inspect the mats and the underlying wires for signs of wear, damage, or moisture accumulation, and address any issues promptly.

What do we recommend?

We are not only considered an esteemed manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of electrical mats, but we are rated as one of the number one by our customers themselves.
Check out our ratings on Google, IndiaMart, TrustPilot, and Face Book:

While we provide a detailed guideline on how to lay electric anti slip mats over electrical wires, below are some of our recommendations:

  • Check Compatibility: Ensure the electrical room flooring mats are rated for use with electrical wires and meet industry standards for insulation and durability.
    Want to know if Duratuf electrical skid control mats are rated safe for electrical rooms?
    WhatsApp us at +919330557744.

  • Follow Load Limits: Adhere to the specified load limits to prevent mat damage and wire exposure.

  • Use in Recommended Environments: Use the mats in environments that match the manufacturer’s recommendations, avoiding extreme conditions that could compromise their integrity.

Acknowledge tropical weathers of singapore or desert weathers in UAE or Saudi.
Know the do’s and don’ts of an electric anti slip mats

In a Nutshell

An electrical insulating mat is an important addition to your workplace. Moreover, if it comes with anti slip features, you get two-in-one benefits. Typically, the electrical mats are placed in front of high voltage equipment, not over a confluence of wires. However, you can lay electric anti slip mats over electrical wires by following a set of protocols.
Electrical safety is a sensitive matter that might get complex to apprehend, at times. Hence, if you feel like talking to an expert, reach out to us. We are happy to help!

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