Product Overview

The CATU AFG-1001 Series CAT'ARC Multi-Risk One-Piece Coverall is a comprehensive, full-body electrical safety garment engineered for high-voltage technicians, substation maintenance crews, and industrial electricians. Manufactured by France-based CATU Electrical (a SICAME Group company), this all-in-one protective suit delivers seamless, head-to-ankle defence against the extreme thermal energy, radiant heat, and molten splatter generated by an electrical arc flash.

Certified to an Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) of 12 cal/cm² (ASTM F1959 / NFPA 70E) and Arc Protection Class 1 (APC 1 under IEC 61482-2), the AFG-1001 is constructed from a lightweight, 300 g/m² flame-retardant twill blend of 80% treated cotton, 19% polyester, and 1% antistatic thread. Its defining safety feature is the signature red anti-panic zipper—a rapid-release central closure that allows an operator to instantly rip open and shed the entire suit in seconds during a thermal emergency or accidental ignition. Designed for durability and ergonomic comfort during grueling physical work, the coverall features reinforced abrasion zones, a stand-up protective collar, and an adjustable inner-leg hem to accommodate various body types without tripping hazards.

Key Features

• Full-Body 12 cal/cm² Thermal Defence: Provides continuous, uninterrupted arc flash and radiant heat protection from the neck down to the ankles, eliminating the gap hazards sometimes associated with two-piece jacket-and-pant combinations.

• Emergency Red Anti-Panic Zipper: Equipped with a specialized, heavy-duty central zipper under a Velcro® storm flap that can be forcefully pulled apart in an emergency, enabling rapid doffing if the garment is exposed to extreme thermal blast or chemical splash.

• High Stand-Up Safety Collar: Features an extended protective collar that secures tightly around the throat, shielding sensitive neck skin and bridging the protection gap beneath an electrician's arc flash face shield or hood.

• High-Abrasion Reinforcements: Built with rugged reinforcement patches across the knees, crotch, and bottom of the central zipper to prevent premature wear, tearing, and blowout during kneeling, crawling, and climbing tasks.

• Customizable Ergonomic Fit: Engineered with an elasticated back waist, hook-and-loop adjustable wrist cuffs, and an adaptable inner-leg hem (adjustable between 77 cm and 82 cm) to ensure a secure, non-restrictive fit across diverse body types.

• Multi-Hazard & Antistatic Fabric: Weaved with 1% antistatic carbon fiber to safely dissipate electrostatic charges (EN 1149-5), while also providing certified protection against welding sparks (ISO 11611) and molten metal splash.

• Ample On-Body Storage: Designed with practical utility in mind, offering 1 chest attachment loop, 2 chest pockets with Velcro® flaps, 2 side slash pockets under protective flaps, and 2 lower cargo/trellis pockets.

• External Auditing Pictograms: High-visibility normative safety standards and ATPV ratings are permanently printed on the left sleeve, allowing site safety managers to instantly verify PPE compliance in the field.

Technical Specifications

Ideal Use Cases & Applications

• High-Voltage Substation Maintenance: Essential full-body protection for engineers entering switchgear rooms, operating disconnects, or performing routine maintenance on medium- and high-voltage transformers where arc flash risks are omnipresent.

• Industrial Facilities & Motor Control Centers (MCC): Ideal for plant electricians racking circuit breakers in or out, troubleshooting live distribution panels, and working around high-energy industrial machinery.

• EV Battery & Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Highly suited for technicians servicing utility-scale battery banks, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and electric vehicle drivetrains where short circuits can generate intense thermal events.

• Utility & Line Work: Perfect for field crews requiring a rugged, all-in-one protective suit that can withstand outdoor environments, kneeling on gravel, and climbing utility structures without snagging or separating.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the advantage of a one-piece coverall over a two-piece jacket and trouser set?
A: A one-piece coverall like the AFG-1001 eliminates the possibility of a "coverage gap." When reaching overhead or bending down in a two-piece suit, a jacket can sometimes ride up, momentarily exposing the lower back or waist to severe thermal burns during an arc blast. A coverall ensures unbroken, 100% full-body thermal shielding at all times.

Q: How does the red anti-panic zipper work in an emergency?
A: Standard zippers require the wearer to carefully pull the slider all the way to the bottom to disengage the track, a difficult task if gloves are partially melted or the operator is injured. The CATU red anti-panic zipper is engineered with quick-release interlocking teeth. In an emergency, the wearer or a rescuer can grab the collar or storm flap and forcefully pull the garment apart, causing the zipper track to instantly separate so the suit can be shed in seconds.

Q: Can I wear standard street clothes underneath the AFG-1001 coverall?
A: You should never wear synthetic everyday clothing (such as nylon, polyester, or acrylic sports shirts and underwear) beneath an arc flash suit. If an electrical arc blast occurs, the intense radiant heat can penetrate the outer layer and cause underlying synthetic fabrics to melt directly into the skin. Always wear 100% natural, non-melting fibres (like cotton or silk) or dedicated flame-retardant base layers (such as the CATU AFG-2400 polo or AFG-2500 sweatshirt) underneath.

Q: How do I adjust the leg length on this coverall?
A: The AFG-1001 is designed with a customizable inner-leg hem. By adjusting the internal fastening tabs at the ankle, the inseam can be easily set to either 77 cm (~30.3 inches) for shorter builds or 82 cm (~32.3 inches) for taller individuals, preventing the cuffs from dragging on the ground or getting caught under safety boots.

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