EH-rated vs dielectric boots

What EH rated means

EH stands for electrical hazard. It is one of the extra performance codes a boot can carry under ASTM F2413, the US standard for protective footwear, with the test method in ASTM F2412. Some boots without a safety toe are rated under ASTM F2892, the standard for soft toe protective footwear, which uses the same EH idea.

EH-rated footwear is tested so that the sole and heel resist current flow at 18,000 volts for one minute in dry conditions. In plain terms, it is meant to reduce the chance of a shock passing through your feet to ground if you accidentally contact a live circuit while standing on a dry surface.

The key word is secondary. EH footwear is a backup, not your primary protection. Lockout, testing, proper tools and gloves come first. Our explainer on what EH rated means covers the label in more detail.

What dielectric boots are

Dielectric footwear is insulating footwear designed to protect against step and touch potential when working near energized equipment. It is usually a rubber boot or rubber overboot. In the US the main standards are ASTM F1117 for the footwear and ASTM F1116 for the test method.

Dielectric footwear is rated for much higher test voltages than an EH work boot and is treated as electrical protective equipment. That means it is selected for a specific task by the employer or safety program, kept clean, inspected before use and retested or replaced on a schedule the program sets.

Searches for dielectric wellington boots often turn up leather pull-on work boots with an EH rating. A leather wellington with EH is still an EH boot. Only footwear made and labeled to the dielectric standard is dielectric footwear. Check the label and the spec sheet, not just the product name.

Note.Electrical work can kill. Follow your employer's electrical safety program and the footwear it specifies. Do not treat any work boot as a substitute for de-energizing, testing and proper insulating gloves.

EH vs dielectric side by side

The table sums up how the two differ. The short version: EH is a feature of a normal work boot, while dielectric footwear is its own type of protective gear with its own standard and care rules.

Why EH protection fades

EH testing is done on new boots in dry conditions. In real use, a few things can reduce that protection. Wet soles and standing water give current an easier path. Worn-through outsoles, cuts, embedded nails or metal debris can create a conductive path. Conductive insoles or damage to the sole and heel also matter.

That is why EH boots should be inspected regularly and replaced when the outsole is worn down or cut. If your work puts you near energized equipment in wet conditions, talk to your safety lead about whether dielectric footwear or overboots are required.

• Keep EH boots dry when working near circuits where possible
• Check soles for cuts, nails and wear-through
• Do not add conductive insoles or metal hardware to the sole
• Replace boots that are badly worn, even if the uppers look fine

Three EH-rated boots compared from their listings

These three boots from our guides list EH protection. The table uses only listing facts. All three use non-metallic safety toes, which many electricians prefer. None of them is listed as dielectric footwear.

We do not have a dielectric boot listing in our current guides, so we cannot confirm specs for one here. If you need dielectric footwear, get the exact model your safety program approves and check that its label references the dielectric standard.

See our electrician boot picks →

Which one do you need

Most electricians, HVAC techs and maintenance workers wear EH-rated work boots as a daily layer of backup protection. If your job description or employer just says EH or electrical hazard footwear, an EH-rated boot with the right safety toe is what you are shopping for. Our electrician boot guide and lineman boot guide list options.

Dielectric footwear is for specific tasks with higher exposure, often set by a utility or industrial electrical safety program. If you are not sure, ask. Do not guess on electrical PPE. For whether the cap material matters, see should electricians wear steel toe boots.

Frequently asked questions

Is an EH-rated boot the same as a dielectric boot? No. EH is a secondary protection rating on a work boot under ASTM F2413 or F2892. Dielectric footwear is insulating protective equipment made and tested to a separate standard.

Can a steel toe boot be EH rated? Yes. EH protection comes from the sole and heel, which isolate the cap. Many steel toe boots carry EH. Some electricians still prefer non-metallic toes.

Does EH protection work when the boots are wet? EH testing is done dry. Wet soles, water on the floor and worn outsoles all reduce protection. Treat EH as backup only.

Are dielectric wellington boots leather? Leather pull-on boots sold as EH-rated are EH boots, not dielectric footwear. Dielectric footwear is typically rubber and is labeled to the dielectric standard.