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SMART SOLUTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE & RELIABILITY

Special Report

Electrical Safety:
How to Improve Compliance
& Build a Lasting Safety Culture
Great Power,
Great Responsibility

Increased Safety,
Decreased Cost

North American
Electrical Safety

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Great Power
Great Responsibility
Significant changes to NFPA 70E
since 2012 compel updated electrical
safety training
Sheila Kennedy, Plant Services contributing editor, and
Ryan Downey, P.E., AVO engineering division manager

NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the

Workplace is an indispensable work in progress. For more
than 35 years, NFPA 70E has delivered on its mission to
create safer workplaces through improved
electrical safety practices, but the standard
continues to evolve.
Approximately every three years, NFPA
70E is updated to incorporate the latest in
electrical safety research, risk assessments,
work practices, design considerations, and
personal protective equipment (PPE) in
an effort to reduce the number of deaths
and injuries caused by electrical shock, arc
flash, and arc blast. This voluntary how-to
guide to assist in Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) compliance can play an invaluable role in helping
plants mitigate their electrical hazards,
protect workers, promote safety requirements, and keep
their facilities up and running.
Much is learned every year. When the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) initiated the voluntary

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standard at OSHAs request in 1979, the first edition addressed only electrical installation requirements related
to electrical safety. It wasnt until the 1995 edition that arc
flash hazards were addressed, and numerous workplace safety requirements have
since been added.
As the safety standard evolves, so must
the companies and electrical workers
who use it. The 10th and latest release,
NFPA 70E 2015, contains some significant differences from its 2012 predecessor. It is essential to understand these
changes and why they matter in order
to remain compliant with OSHA, avoid
risking lives, reduce liability, and prevent
unexpected and costly downtime.
SUMMARY OF NFPA 70E 2015 CHANGES

The new edition strives to ensure a safer

workplace and clarifies the responsibilities of employees
and employers by making the following major changes, in
addition to extensive minor adjustments:

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 Risk assessment replaces the phrase hazard analysis

throughout the standard as part of an effort to make users more aware of the devastating risk of failure and loss
caused by shock, arc flash, and arc blast hazards. Specifically, the risk assessment process now is defined as
including identification of shock, arc flash, and arc blast
hazards; estimation of the potential severity of injury or
damage to health; estimation of the likelihood of injury
occurrence or damage to health; and determination of
whether protective measures and PPE are required.
Maintenance status is now an integral part of the risk
assessment.
The electrical safety program must now include maintenance on electrical equipment as a primary element.
Clarification was made that a comprehensive risk
assessment, not just an incident energy analysis, is
required (see sidebar on best practices for conducting a
risk assessment and incident energy analysis).
T he responsibility for proper installation and maintenance is assigned to the equipment owner or the
owners designated representative.
The short-circuit current and clearing time of the overcurrent protective device must be known for an incident
energy analysis.
Hazard/risk category (HRC) tables have been replaced
with new hazard identification tables and PPE category
tables. All references to HRC have been replaced with the
term arc flash PPE category. This will force a culture
change because HRC has become institutionalized terminology in the industry.
To use the PPE category tables, the short-circuit current
and clearing time of the over-current protective device
must be known.
HRC 0, the standard PPE worn every day for normal
construction activities, has been eliminated; now, the
qualified person must make a risk assessment based upon
normal operation of equipment that meets all of the following criteria:
The equipment is properly installed
The equipment is properly maintained
A ll equipment doors are closed and secured
A ll equipment covers are in place and secured
There is no evidence of impending failure
C
 ompanies can develop their own PPE numbering system.
Warning label content was modified to include:
Incident energy at a corresponding distance or PPE category selected using 70E tables, but not both
Site-specific level of PPE

RISK ASSESSMENT
The new standards risk assessment process broadens the scope
of employees who must receive electrical safety education.

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Labels must be updated when a hazard risk assessment

review renders the label to be inaccurate
Its clarified that the electrical equipment owner is now
responsible for the documentation, installation, and
maintenance of field-installed labels.
T he requirements for construction and maintenance
work were separated from outdoor work to enhance
usability.
The prohibited-approach shock boundary was eliminated.
The table update for restrictedapproach boundary dimensions added clarity.
A new requirement covers risk assessment associated
with battery work.

NFPA 70E 2015 Training Objectives

Identify the common factors of electrical accidents
Understand the arrangement of the NFPA 70E material
Explain the hazards of electrical work and their effects
Describe the main elements in an electrically safe
work program
Identify the requirements for establishing an
electrically safe work condition (lockout/tagout)
Identify the requirements for a shock risk assessment
Identify the requirements for an arc flash risk
assessment
Establish approach boundaries for
shock protection for qualified and
unqualified employees
Select PPE for shock protection
Select safe work practices if an
arc flash hazard is present
Understand the use of the arc
flash boundary
Select PPE for arc flash protection
Explain contractor and employer
compliance responsibilities

WHY DO THESE CHANGES MATTER?

NFPA 70E provides instructions on how to comply with

OSHAs electrical safety regulations. OSHA is able to
cite companies for noncompliance, with the consensus
standard as a reference, when an electrical accident
causes a serious injury or death, even though NFPA 70E
is voluntary rather than a federal regulation. Certain
states and industries with more-restrictive occupational
health and safety laws require NFPA 70E compliance.
NFPA makes it the responsibility of the employer to
educate employees, including qualified and unqualified electrical workers, on safety standards. In fact, a
plant manager can be held criminally responsible for a
workers injury if the worker did not have proper safety
training. Personnel in any industry who work on or
around or who or interact with electrical equipment, AC

made aware of the potential hazards. Safety consulting and

engineering services can be called upon to help expedite
and refine safety education and compliance initiatives.
The 2015 edition also requires an arc flash risk assessment to determine whether an arc flash hazard exists. Even
the process of establishing an electrically safe work condition puts the employee at risk. If an arc flash hazard exists,
the employer must determine the risk to employees and the
required safe work practices, arc flash boundary, and PPE.
Similarly, shock risk assessments are required to determine the voltage, shock boundaries, and PPE. Employees
must be trained in these new skills, and must quickly
implement them. The practice of hiring an engineering
firm to perform an arc flash incident energy analysis now
must be followed up with a risk assessment.
All employees who are exposed to electrical hazards
where the risk has not been reduced to a safe level (with no
exposed energized conductors or parts of equipment and the
equipment is essentially stagnant) require risk and avoidance
training, according to the new standard, from electricians
and operators to mechanics, janitors, office workers, or anyone who may plug into an electrical outlet.

Hazard/risk category (HRC)

tables have been replaced with
new hazard identification tables
and PPE category tables.

or DC voltages of 50 volts or more, or are responsible

for safety in the workplace, must receive electrical safety
training according to NFPA 70E 2015.
The new standards risk assessment process broadens
the scope of employees who must receive electrical safety
education. Employers must assess generally recognized
arc flash and shock hazards in the workplace and provide
protection from those hazards, and all employees must be

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In order to train employees to identify, understand,

and avoid the electrical hazards and risk of injury associated with the tasks that they are required to perform, it
is recommended that a job/task analysis and task hazard
analysis with shock and arc flash risk assessments be
conducted for each employee. The exposure or potential
exposure to electrical hazards should be recorded in the
employees job description and their training requirements determined accordingly.
Finally, employers must document that the hazard assessments were performed and authorize energized electrical
work permits as needed. Companies must be prepared to
share these records if requested during an OSHA inspection.
COMPLIANCE MAY NECESSITATE OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

OSHA requires employers to document and implement

an electrical safety program that addresses exposure to all
existing hazards and those likely to exist in the workplace. The program must be published and available to all
employees who might be exposed to the hazards. OSHA
also has specific equipment labeling requirements.
Unfortunately, the language used by OSHA can make
its electrical standards difficult to interpret and apply.
Training on each new edition of the OSHA, NFPA 70E,
and NEC electrical standards should be delivered by
someone who has a thorough understanding of the latest
requirements and how they apply to individual facilities and who can relay the complicated material in an
easily understood manner. Third-party electrical safety
experts can support hazard assessments, incident energy
analysis, and follow-up activity speedily and in accordance with NFPA and IEEE standards.
Multiple delivery options are available for electrical
safety training. Custom courses can be designed to match
a companys industry and environment, including its
voltage, energy level, and circuit and electrical equipment conditions. Online and on-site training options
avoid incurring personnel travel time and expenses. Fully
equipped, regional training centers provide skills-based
training combined with hands-on labs.
Arc flash and power system analysis studies performed by licensed engineering firms identify and
mitigate the hazards created by electrical equipment and
systems. Folding these engineering studies into the latest
industry standards enables continuous improvement of
workplace safety, OSHA compliance, equipment reliability, and uptime.

EFFECTIVE TRAINING
Everyone must be trained to identify, understand, and avoid
the electrical hazards and risk of injury associated with the
tasks that they are required to perform.

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5 REASONS TO CHOOSE AN ENGINEERED

ANALYSIS OVER THE CATEGORIES
METHOD TO PERFORM YOUR
ARC FLASH ASSESSMENT

METHOD OVERVIEW
IEEE (Engineered)

NFPA (Category / Table)

IEEE Standard 1584 Guide for Performing

Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations is a commonly
used engineering approach for conducting an
arc flash risk assessment and for selection of
personal protective equipment (PPE). It provides
details on the theory and calculations used to
determine the danger a worker could be
exposed to.

This method categorizes tasks and indicates if

PPE is required. If required, the PPE category
(1 through 4) is then determined based on
equipment type, voltage, short-circuit current,
and fault clearing time.

The IEEE method establishes the calculated short-circuit

current at each piece of equipment, which results in a
specific incident energy level.

The NFPA category method is often applied without

knowing the short-circuit current. By assuming that the
short-circuit current is within the limits set by the NFPA
tables, workers may be over or under protected.

The IEEE method takes into account the specific

overcurrent protective device characteristics and arc
duration, which allows for a calculation of incident
energy and resulting PPE.

The NFPA category method assumes fault clearing times

which may leave workers over or under protected.

Due to the detailed information gathered as required for

an incident energy analysis, the IEEE method allows for
an overcurrent protective device coordination study to be
conducted. Improper coordination can lead to higher than
necessary arc flash energy, or nuisance tripping.

The NFPA category method does not take overcurrent

protective device settings into consideration.

By first calculating the available short-circuit current, the

IEEE method can identify equipment that has insufficient
withstand ratings, and by calculating the specific incident
energy, it allows for arc flash risk level reduction strategies.

The NFPA Method does not calculate short-circuit current.

The IEEE method requires complete electrical system data

collection and the creation of a complete electrical system
single line diagram. This data will give a facility an overall
map of the electrical system.

The NFPA category method looks at pieces of equipment

individually.

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Increased Safety,
Decreased Cost

Switch-rated connectors make LOTO easier and safer at craft brewer

Bells Brewery (www.bellsbeer.com) is a multiplesite production operation located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It brews more than 20 beers for distribution across
a 19-state area, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.,
through a network of more than 80 wholesalers. The
demand for craft beer has been on the rise in the United
States, according to the Brewers Association (www.brewersassociation.org). With an industry growth of 15% by
volume and 17% by dollars in 2012 compared to 13% by
volume and 15% by dollars in 2011, Bells Brewery has seen
a corresponding growth for its products.
In 2012, Bells Brewery produced more than 216,000 barrels and anticipated producing more than 250,000 barrels
in 2013. We have expanded beyond our original facility,
says Jeff Carter, facilities and utilities manager of Bells
Brewery. We added 12 800-barrel fermenters and a can
line. We added Oberon beer in a 16 oz can this year. And
if two major construction projects arent enough, we are
doing a large upgrade to our process cooling systems. So,
we are always looking for ways to decrease our costs when
sourcing materials and equipment.

Bells is a craft brewery that produces a full line of ales,

beers, and stouts. It specified Meltric Decontractor Series
switch-rated plugs and receptacles for its construction
expansion project to connect and disconnect equipment
as varied as grain handlers, conveyor motors, portable
pump carts, and keg washers. The brewery has been using
Meltric plugs and receptacles since 2006.
Prior to installing Meltric switch-rated connectors on its
production equipment, Bells Brewery used pin and sleeve
connectors, requiring an additional line-of-sight disconnect switch. To reduce installation costs, Bells Brewery
decided to purchase the switch-rated plugs and receptacles,

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which are UL/CSA-rated for motorcircuit and branch-circuit disconnect

switching and also are an approved
NEC/CSA line-of-sight disconnect
switch. When we were planning our
first cellar expansion, I was pricing
the cost of three pump stations, which
consists of two outlets with line
reactors and disconnects, and two
portable pumps, explains Carter.

The line of switch-rated plugs and

receptacles combine the safety and
functionality of a disconnect switch
with the convenience of a plug and
receptacle. The integral switching
mechanism allows users to safely
make and break connections under
full load and provide protection in
overload and short circuit conditions.
Their enclosed arc chambers
ensure that the load is safely disconnected and that all live parts are
isolated and inaccessible before the
plug can be removed. This design
shields users from potential arc flash
hazards at all times while making
and breaking connections.
As Bells Brewerys production
facilities have grown, so has its
maintenance department, which
now consists of packaging, facilities, and utilities departments. The
switch-rated devices have the additional benefit of limiting downtime
associated with maintenance and

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equipment changeouts by up to 50
%, since no hardwiring of connections is necessary. The spring-loaded,
integral switching mechanism
can disconnect a circuit simply by
depressing the pawl where its then
ejected in the off position in only 15
ms. The user only needs to rotate the
plug and withdraw it from the receptacle to complete the disconnecting
operation. In addition, the silvernickel, butt-style contacts controlled
by a spring-loaded integral switching
mechanism eliminates reliability
problems associated with contact
mating and connection quality
that are intrinsic to sliding friction
contacts. The time savings associated with prewired replacements will
save us downtime, which is an added
bonus, says Carter.

LOCKOUT/TAGOUT

The need to frequently lockout and

tagout equipment for maintenance at
Bells Brewery is not only crucial for
worker safety, but also a more frequent
operation as the brewery has expanded
its operations and capacity. We use
the lockout/tagout feature for our
pumps, says Carter. All you need is
a lock and insert it in the hole on the
plug, The safety that comes with the
lockablity is something that influenced
our purchasing decision, as well.
With a 5/16-in. lockout hole in the
plug shroud, the device can be locked
out by inserting a user-provided lock
through the hole in the male plug. The
lock on the disconnected male plug
prevents insertion into the female receptacle and provides visual verification
of deenergization.

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North American
Electrical Safety

U.S. and Canadian standards lower risk of working with electrical systems
With updates to NFPA 70B and 70E, as well as CSA Z462 and Z463, North American standards for electrical safety
have taken a giant step forward. These two articles look at current and future applications of these standards.
Terry Becker, electrical safety consultant, reviews Canadas recent improvements to the standards and reflects on its
similarities to U.S. standards. UE Systems Adrian Messer makes a case for airborne ultrasound in the standards.

Safe installations, safe work practices, and adequate electrical equipment maintenance come together in an electrical safety trifecta
By Terry Becker, P.Eng., NFPA CESCP

Workplace electrical safety has evolved in the United

States and Canada with the application of NFPA 70E, the
U.S. standard for electrical safety in the workplace, and
CSA Z462, Canadas workplace electrical safety standard
published on Dec. 28, 2008. With CSA Z462 now in its
published second edition and the third edition in the works,
energized electrical work in Canada will never be the same.
But is this enough? Have we missed a key variable in electrical safety? What about electrical equipment maintenance?
There are really three key elements to electrical safety
and ensuring that risk related to energized electrical
power systems is reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP): safe installations, safe work practices, and
adequate electrical equipment maintenance. This trifecta
of electrical safety will result in achieving the lowest risk to
workers and highest reliability for electrical power systems.
Safe electrical power distribution installations have
focused on only legal requirements. In the past, Canadian
federal, provincial, and territorial regulations had no
specific focus on shock and arc flash. Neither did OSHA
regulations in the United States. That has changed.

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HISTORY, CULTURE, BEHAVIORS

When we consider the history of energized electrical work,

its hard to believe weve neglected the electrical hazards of
shock and arc flash. Specifically weve allowed electricians
to use their bodies as voltage detectors. Hard to believe, but
from 1942 until 1960 the American Electricians Handbook
taught electricians to use pain as a means of detecting that
voltage was present in electrical conductors and circuit parts.
Workers accepted this and accepted completing repair
and alteration of energized electrical equipment as part of
the job of an electrician. Today this wouldnt be acceptable. In the past we focused on safe electrical installations;
this is how we controlled exposure of all workers to shock
and controlled electrical faults with overcurrent protection. But what about arcing faults and arc flash? They had
not been identified in the past. How can we eliminate them
from occurring or control the probability?
Worker behaviors have been a problem, and they still are.
Change is required, but its a challenge to make the change
and ensure it will be sustained. How can we put controls in
place that will have a positive impact on worker behaviors?

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History, statistics, and the results of electrical safety audits tell us that employers and employees have a long way
to go to achieve sustainable electrical safety and to eliminate or reduce the risk of exposure to shock and arc flash.
Electrical installations are not constructed or maintained
to the CEC or the NEC. Incidents occur in which equipment and workers make contact with overhead power
lines. Electricians continue to be shocked and accept it;
they do not wear rubber insulating gloves with leather
protectors. Electrical safety audits identify that workers
are not electrical safety competent. LOTO processes
and procedures are not in place or practiced correctly,
Engineering safety by design is not practiced, or there
may be errors in incident energy analysis studies. Electrical hazards are not identified, and adequate controls
arent put into place. No electrical safe work procedures
are written and used. Theres no electrical-specific PPE,
tools, and equipment, or, if they have been procured, they
havent been managed effectively.
Weve accepted the condition of energized electrical
power distribution equipment. We may not have implemented any electrical equipment maintenance practices
or the electrical equipment maintenance that has been
performed hasnt been appropriate or completed at
acceptable frequencies. Without electrical equipment
maintenance the probability of abnormal conditions occurring on energized electrical equipment increases, and
thus the risk increases.

Change is good. Change is inevitable. We must commit

to change. Without change, we cannot improve.
The Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, C22.1, and the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, were developed to effect
change in safe installations. The NFPA 70E standard and
the CSA Z462 standard were developed to effect change in
electrical safe work practices.
NFPA 70B and the NETA MTS standards were developed and have evolved to effect change in electrical equipment maintenance. In Canada, the CSA Z463 guideline
on maintenance of electrical systems published in January
2014 will effect change in Canada with respect to improvements in electrical equipment maintenance.
A trifecta for electrical safety is achievable. What do I
mean by this statement? Im not a gambler, and this is not
a horse race, but I know that, when it comes to electrical
safety, it is within our power to achieve this level of success.
This is the result of managing electrical safety to the highest levels doing everything possible to reduce the risk of
exposure to the electrical hazards of arc flash and shock.
This result can be achieved and the risk can be reduced to as low as reasonably practicable by using the
electrical safety trifecta: using approved equipment,
installed to CEC, Part 1, or NEC; establishing electrical safe work practices, such as test-before-touch on
de-energized equipment; and implementing effective
electrical equipment maintenance. All three of these
elements should be implemented and maintained using
appropriate management systems.

EVOLUTION AND CHANGE

APPROVED EQUIPMENT INSTALLED TO CEC, PART 1, OR NEC

How can we effect change? How can we ensure the change

is sustainable? We need to use management systems and
apply the tools in standards/guidelines within the management systems. We need to deploy the management systems,
get them to work for the benefit intended, audit their
performance, implement corrective actions, and implement
a continuous improvement philosophy.
We need to overcome the challenges that make change
difficult:
Change is fear.
Change is overwhelming.
Change is hard.
Change is necessary.

This is a legal requirement and an expectation with respect to energized electrical equipment. The equipment
is designed to perform as intended and installed so that
it operates with inherent safety under normal operating
conditions. Electrical quality management programs can
be developed and implemented to ensure we procure approved equipment and that its installed to CEC, Part 1,
or NEC and that jurisdictional requirements for permitting and inspections occur.

WHY DO WE NEED ELECTRICAL SAFETY?

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ESTABLISHING ELECTRICAL SAFE WORK PRACTICES

With the addition of the CSA Z462 workplace electrical

safety standard to the tools we have available in Canada,

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America for developing electrical equipment maintenance

programs, we can ensure that energized electrical equipment is maintained to a normal operating condition and
achieve an electrical safety trifecta.

we can use it to implement electrical safe work practices.

Applying CSA Z462 or NFPA 70E within an occupational-health-and-safety-management-system approach, by
developing and implementing an electrical safety program, will guarantee measurable and sustainable electrical safety performance.

Terry Becker, P.Eng, is an NFPA-certified electrical

safety compliance professional (CESCP) and owner
of ESPS Electrical Safety Program Solutions, an
engineering-based electrical safety consultancy in Calgary,
Alberta. Becker has more than 22 years of experience as an
electrical engineer working both in engineering consulting and
for industrial oil and gas corporations. He also is the first past
vice chair of the CSA Z462 Workplace Electrical Safety Standard Technical Committee and a voting member and leader of
Working Group 8, Annexes. Becker also is a voting member of
the IEEE 1584 Technical Committee, associate member of the
CSA Z463 Guideline for Maintenance of Electrical Systems
Technical Committee, and a member of the NFPA 70E Technical Committee Annexes Working Group. Hes also a professional engineer in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia,
Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Becker has presented at Canadian
Standards Association (CSA), IEEE, and industry conferences or workshops on electrical safety in Canada, the United
States, and Australia. Contact him at terry.becker@espsi.ca.

EFFECTIVE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

Traditionally electrical power distribution equipment has

been maintained to guarantee some level of reliability and
to protect electrical equipment from damage by ensuring electrical protective devices operate as intended. A
refocusing of electrical equipment maintenance prioritization will focus on ensuring arcing faults do not occur,
or limiting incident energy if an arcing fault and arc flash
occur, and ensuring that the workers performing energized electrical equipment maintenance are protected. In
Canada, the new CSA Z463 Guideline for Maintenance
of Electrical Systems released in January 2014 will be
Canadas electrical equipment maintenance guideline;
it will realign electrical equipment maintenance priorities to worker safety, reliability, and limiting damage to
electrical equipment. By using CSA Z463 in Canada and
NFPA 70B and NETA MTS standards throughout North

When does airborne ultrasound fit in the standard?

By Adrian Messer, UE Systems

When it comes to establishing an electrical main-

equipment in facilities are National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70B, and Canadian Standards Association
(CSA) Z463. Both of these documents have been established to create recommended practices for inspecting and
maintaining electrical assets in order to prevent accidents
and reduce downtime.
According to NFPA 70B, the standard for electrical maintenance, an electrical preventive maintenance
program is a managed program of inspecting, testing,
analyzing, and servicing electrical systems and equipment
with the purpose of maintaining safe operations and production by reducing or eliminating system interruptions
and equipment breakdowns.

tenance program for your facility, there are many

resources at your disposal. For inspection of energized
electrical equipment, an infrared camera is probably
the first tool that comes to mind. However, a growing
number of maintenance and reliability professionals
have come to realize that airborne ultrasound is a viable
tool that can be used to inspect and diagnose conditions
such as corona, tracking, arcing, and partial discharge
in energized electrical equipment.
The standards that maintenance and reliability professionals access for guidance in establishing procedures and
best practices for inspecting and maintaining electrical

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When it comes to the inspection tools that NFPA 70B

recommends for inspecting energized electrical equipment, the document only mentions ultrasound in two
sections. The first mention is in Section 11.21.3.3.2.2
when discussing partial discharge. The other mention
is in Section 15.1.2.2, which discusses corona in substations and switchgear.
Canadas NFPA 70B equivalent, CSA Z463, goes
into more detail when discussing ultrasound technology. CSA Z463 reads in Section 7.10.2 that ultrasound
inspections use collectors that detect the high frequency
produced by the emissions caused by electrical arcing, tracking, and corona. This section also goes on to
mention the fact that the sound heard by the inspector
can be recorded and then further analyzed in spectrum
analysis software for an accurate diagnosis of what was
detected by the ultrasound instrument.
Users of airborne ultrasound, a technology that was once
considered just a leak detector, have come to realize the
instruments could be used for other applications, such as
condition monitoring of rotating equipment and electrical
inspection. To many, airborne ultrasound has become a
necessity when inspecting energized electrical equipment.
The primary driver of this application is safety. In most
cases, airborne ultrasound inspection can be done without opening energized electrical cabinets. Performing an
inspection without opening energized electrical equipment
helps to reduce the risk the inspector faces from potential
exposure to arc flash hazards.
The ultrasound inspection can be done by scanning any
openings on the cabinet itself, such as vent openings, seals
around doors, or louvers. Therefore, before any energized
electrical cabinet is opened for maintenance or further

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Before any energized

electrical cabinet is
opened for maintenance
or further inspection,
a pre-inspection can
be done with ultrasound
to see if any anomaly
is heard.

inspection, a pre-inspection can be done with ultrasound

to see if any anomaly is heard. If there is a condition, such
as corona, tracking, or arcing inside the electrical equipment, the ultrasound produced by those anomalies will be
heard by the inspector via those openings. The source of
the ultrasound produced is ionization and, in some cases,
vibration from mechanical looseness.
The next revision of NFPA 70B, scheduled for release
in 2016, could include additional information regarding
ultrasound and its usefulness for electrical inspections. Both
documents go into great detail regarding the inspection
and maintenance of any electrical asset in a facility. Recommended procedures are discussed regarding asset criticality
and establishing an electrical maintenance program.
Adrian Messer is manager, U.S. operations, at UE Systems. Contact him at adrianm@uesystems.com.

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