What must be done to electrical equipment according to lockout/tagout procedures?

Lockout/tagout procedures are critical safety measures designed to prevent accidental energization or start-up of equipment while it is being serviced or maintained. According to these procedures, before any work begins, the equipment must be completely disconnected from its energy source. This means that power must be turned off and the equipment must be isolated from all sources of energy, which often includes not just electrical sources but also mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy, depending on the equipment.

The process typically involves physically locking the energy-isolating devices in the "off" position and placing a tag that indicates that maintenance is being performed. This ensures that no one can inadvertently re-energize the equipment while someone is working on it, providing a safe environment for maintenance.

This is why the requirement to ensure that the equipment is disconnected from power before servicing is the correct approach, as it promotes safety and adheres to standard practices for maintenance work. The other approaches—such as leaving the equipment energized for testing, only checking its operation without securing it, or performing maintenance while it is still powered—contradict the fundamental principles of lockout/tagout and pose serious safety risks to personnel.