2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
(OP)
In an ironic twist, having provided the Utility Fault Current data to a multitude of customers in order for them to complete Arc Flash Studies, I have been informed by my Utility Safety Officer that we will need to complete our own Arc Flash Study per the requirements of the 2009 NFPA 70E. In the exact words of the Utility Safety Officer, "Do we have the appropriate labeling for Arc flash and PPE for every piece of equipment in our system?"
I am specifically interested in the phrase "every piece of equipment in our system." I realize that an Arc Flash Study will need to be completed for all electrical panels in our power plants and similar studies for all substation switchgear, but what about overhead distribution, underground vaults, padmount transformers, building transformer rooms, etc., etc., etc.
I honestly do not think it would be feasible to complete an Arc Flash Study "for every piece of equipment" at a Utility. Too many day-to-day changes in terms of circuit switching and subtransmission ties. How are other U.S. Utilites planning to address the 2009 NFPA 70E requirements?
I am specifically interested in the phrase "every piece of equipment in our system." I realize that an Arc Flash Study will need to be completed for all electrical panels in our power plants and similar studies for all substation switchgear, but what about overhead distribution, underground vaults, padmount transformers, building transformer rooms, etc., etc., etc.
I honestly do not think it would be feasible to complete an Arc Flash Study "for every piece of equipment" at a Utility. Too many day-to-day changes in terms of circuit switching and subtransmission ties. How are other U.S. Utilites planning to address the 2009 NFPA 70E requirements?






RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
However, you dont need to do the analysis on every peice of equipment, IEEE 1584 references equipment <240V and supplied by <125kVA transformer as the line where you dont need an analysis because an arc would not be self sustaining.
But, you still need to label the equipment (As defined in NEC 110.16) with either th PPE required or the Ei per the 2009 70E.
I know this wont answer all of your questions, but will get you started.
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
(A) Covered. ...
(4) Installations used by the electric utility, such as office buildings, warehouses, garages, machine shops, and recreational buildings, that are not an integral part of a generating plant, substation, or control center.
(B) Not Covered. This Code does not cover the following:
(5) Installations under the exclusive control of an electric utility where such installations
a. Consist of service drops or service laterals, and associated metering, or
b. Are located in legally established easements or rights-of-way designated by or recognized by public service commissions, utility commissions, or other regulatory agencies having jurisdiction for such installations, or
c. Are on property owned or leased by the electric utility for the purpose of communications, metering, generation, control, transformation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy.
NESC does require utilities to address arc flash as of Jan 1, 2009. Your saftey officer is not entirely wrong.
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
Arcflashfourms has an area dedicated to NESC.
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
NESC does not require labeling only that positive procedures are utilized to secure compliance with the rules. Section 410 A.5.
I do agree that there is a grey area having done studies for industrial and on a utility. The area is in power plants, especially with auxiliary eqpt. NESC states that for secondary systems <1000V, in lieu of performing an arc flash analysis a min of 4 cal system shall be required. It also mentions work rules to limit exposure. My concern and experience has shown that a 4 cal system would not protect and that the same IE in an industrial area would be a Category #2 per NFPA 70E. What makes an arc flash hazard any less dangerous in a utility power plant versus an industrial plant?
Go to arcflashforum.com as there are discussions on this there.
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
Depending on the area of work (see stevenal's thread), NFPA or NESC may or may not apply.
Depending on the laws (state or local governments may or may not adopt the NESC), NESC may or may not apply.
Depending on the nature of the utility (public, private, municipal, coop, etc.), OSHA may or may not have jurisdiction.
B
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
Since many federal goverment agencies are limited to "Interstate commerence" that can have an effect on who they regulate. Although they will say otherwise.
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
With two standards there will come a point where they will diverge which is when you must choose which to follow.
I suggest applying the standard that does apply which is NESC.
RE: 2009 NFPA 70E / Impact to Utility
IMHO, I believe NESC is lacking in the area of <1000 V and I will use NFPA70E/IEEE 1584 for inside my power plants.