NFPA 70E 2024 Explained

By R.W. Hurst, Editor

The NFPA 70E 2024 Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace is a critical document for ensuring the safety of workers who interact with electrical systems. The NFPA 70E introduces several important changes that professionals should be aware of. This article delves into these changes, exploring the key aspects of the standard, addressing common questions, and highlighting its significance in preventing electrical hazards.

What is NFPA 70E?

NFPA 70E provides comprehensive guidelines and requirements for establishing an electrical safety program aimed at protecting personnel from electrical hazards. These hazards include electric shock, arc flash, arc blast, and other electrical incidents. The standard outlines safe work practices, procedures for de-energizing equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and risk assessment methodologies.

What Changes Were Adopted by NFPA 70E in 2024?

The 2024 edition of NFPA 70E introduces several key updates aimed at improving clarity and effectiveness in electrical safety practices:

Updated Terminology: Terms like "electric shock" have been clarified and consistently used throughout the document to avoid ambiguity.
Emergency Response Planning: A new requirement for including an emergency response plan in job safety planning has been added.
Scope and Definitions: Each article now begins with a clear scope, and definitions have been consolidated into Article 100 for easier reference.
Operating Conditions: The term "Operating Condition" has replaced "Equipment Condition" to align with requirements for safe operation.
Hearing Protection: All personnel within the arc flash boundary must wear hearing protection, reflecting the increased risk awareness

What are the Main Points of NFPA 70E?

NFPA 70E covers a wide range of topics related to electrical safety. It emphasizes the importance of establishing an Electrical Safety Program (ESP), conducting hazard identification and risk assessment, implementing safe work practices, and ensuring proper use of PPE. The standard also addresses specialized tasks such as working on or near energized parts, establishing electrically safe work conditions, and conducting inspections and audits.

Key aspects of NFPA 70E include:

Arc Flash Hazard Analysis: Procedures to assess and mitigate the risk of arc flashes.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Guidelines for the proper selection and use of arc-rated clothing and equipment.
Safe Work Practices: Methods to establish an electrically safe work condition, including lockout/tagout procedures.
Training and Qualification: Requirements for training workers and ensuring they are qualified to handle electrical equipment safely.

What is the Difference Between NFPA 70 (NEC®) and NFPA 70E?

NFPA 70, known as the National Electrical Code (NEC®), focuses on the installation of electrical systems to prevent hazards, while NFPA 70E deals with the safety practices required to work safely on or near energized electrical equipment. Essentially, NFPA 70E complements NFPA 70 by addressing the operational safety aspects for workers.

Does OSHA Enforce NFPA 70E?

While OSHA does not directly enforce NFPA 70E, it requires adherence to electrical safety standards that align with the guidelines set out in NFPA 70E. OSHA references NFPA 70E as a recognized standard for ensuring workplace safety regarding electrical hazards.

What Does NFPA 70E Specify for Flame Retardant Clothing (FRC)?

NFPA 70E outlines specific requirements for flame retardant clothing, emphasizing that such garments must be arc-rated and suitable for the level of risk identified in the arc flash hazard analysis. The standard details different PPE categories, each with a minimum arc rating in calories per centimeter squared (cal/cm²), ensuring workers are adequately protected based on the severity of potential arc flashes.

What Does “Clearing Time” Mean [as Discussed Under NFPA 70E: 130.3

Clearing time refers to the duration required for a protective device to detect and interrupt an electrical fault. It is a critical factor in arc flash risk assessment because shorter clearing times reduce the incident energy and, consequently, the severity of an arc flash. Properly calibrated protective devices are essential for minimizing clearing time and enhancing safety.

The 2024 edition of NFPA 70E introduces significant updates to improve workplace safety around electrical hazards. Organizations can better protect their employees from arc flashes and other electrical risks by understanding these changes and implementing the guidelines. This comprehensive standard remains a vital resource for electrical safety, underscoring the importance of ongoing training, proper use of PPE, and adherence to safe work practices.

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03/12/20

Evluma Launches Line of Post Top Globes to Complement LED OmniMax

March 12, 2020, Renton, WA…Street and area lighting manufacturer Evluma, announces the release of a new globe accessory line, OmniMax Lighting Solutions (OLS) to complement their OmniMax family of LED replacement lamps. OLS is a custom, curated selection of spherical and acorn style globes for decorative streetlights. The OmniMax is a Bluetooth-connected, screw-in replacement lamp for use in decorative post top globe and acorn lights. The release of a globe line to complement the OmniMax is designed to make the HID to LED conversion and maintenance process easier for Evluma customers.

Customers executing a retrofit project can conveniently purchase a replacement globe at the same time they purchase the OmniMax. “The wide variety of styles and materials offered means that we can typically provide a customer with a globe that matches an older style,” said Marketing Director, Cathleen Shattuck. “Customers can refresh globes simultaneously with OmniMax installation to save on labor, or if they suddenly discover damage to individual light fixtures, we can quickly provide them with a solution. Our high level of customer service means we are well-adapted to quick turnaround on orders of any size, keeping the process convenient and low cost.”

Using OmniMax, municipalities, utilities and electric departments converting post top fixtures from HID to LED can do so in under 5 minutes a fixture. The OmniMax is available in both Premium and Standard models. Premium models are Bluetooth-enabled and are compatible with Evluma’s wireless control application, ConnectLED. Both models carry a ten-year warranty and offer Evluma’s signature low-glare illumination.

About Evluma

Formed in 2008, Evluma is committed to developing affordable, long-lasting and environmentally low-impact LED lighting solutions that fundamentally change the landscape of the outdoor utility lighting market. Evluma’s high standard of customer service and background in innovative lighting technologies, automation and software design creatively ideate and inform its utility-grade products. Evluma is located in Renton, WA, USA.

09/24/20

Evluma's Build-Your-Own Acorn is an Affordable Answer to Decorative Streetlight LED Upgrades

Street and area light manufacturer Evluma announces the release of Build-Your-Own Acorn; a full-fixture, decorative streetlight replacement solution that includes the customer’s choice of acorn globe, finial and capital fitter. This solution is designed for utilities, municipalities, facilities and property managers looking to upgrade their existing decorative lighting from HID to LED and features the OmniMax™ LED lamp as its light source.

“Build-Your-Own-Acorn is a tailored solution that puts control in the hands of the customer,” said Evluma Product Manager Jason Dobbs. “With the value-driven OmniMax at the center of quality, cost-effective options, this is an affordable approach to complete head replacements. Build-Your-Own-Acorn offers the freedom to replace and repair fixtures without being locked into a proprietary OEM solution that may be hard to change later and typically costs more. It’s everything but the pole.”

Build-Your-Own Acorn includes multiple styles of acrylic and polycarbonate globes, in addition to a cast aluminum capital fitter. The capital fits 3 inch and 4 inch poles and is offered in black or green. The 70W OmniMax LED lamp is offered in six different color temperatures ranging from 2000K-5000K in either the Premium or Standard. OmniMax Premium includes Evluma’s patented, maintenance-saving Photocontrol Failsafe™ and compatibility with Evluma’s Bluetooth lighting app ConnectLED™. OmniMax Standard ships without connectivity features or Photocontrol Failsafe built-in.

“Photocontrol Failsafe means never having to replace a failed photocontrol ever again,” said Janine Soper, Evluma’s Regional Sales Manager. “With ConnectLED, the OmniMax Premium can be quickly dimmed or programmed with a dimming schedule, offering additional aesthetic and energy saving opportunities,” said Janine.

Both OmniMax models are supported by robust 20kV/10kA surge protection and the OmniMax’s four layers of thermal management for extended operation in enclosed environments. The capital has a 5 year warranty on the finish. Acrylic globes are warrantied for 5 years against yellowing. The OmniMax and all electronics, including the capital’s optional photocontrol are warrantied for 10 years.

About Evluma

02/22/21

Parallel Resonant AC Test Sets

High Voltage, Inc. is an American test equipment manufacturing company located in rural Copake, NY. We are known for high quality, easy to use equipment and for our commitment to providing the best customer and product support in the industry.

As we matured we expanded into larger products. Cable fault locators (thumpers) as well as higher power ac (HPA) dielectric testers as might be used in a factory environment. Our HPA line of ac testers are available with outputs up to 300 kV ac and power levels up to 40 kVA and can be customized with various levels of control sophistication.

Our new PAR line of ac dielectric testers are designed to meet the needs of those who need power levels up to 250 kVA, to be able to test their highly capacitive test loads. Using ac resonant technology outputs of 50 kV at 5A (for example) are possible with an input of only 230 v, 90 A. That is an input of 20 kVA for an output of 250 kVA. (Model PAR-50250FC5)

The PAR models consist of a control section and a high voltage section. While large, they are transportable by van or trailer for field work. The control section includes the input breaker, variable (motorized) input control, a PLC controller, and connections for controlling the hv section. The high voltage section is a steel tank with a phenolic output bushing. Inside this tank is a variable-core reactor in an insulating oil bath with an air space at the top to allow for thermal expansion.

The variable reactor looks similar to a transformer but has a moveable core that allows the inductance value to vary to match the capacitance of the load, thereby achieving resonance. This effectively cancels the load capacitance, as far as input power requirements are concerned. Once in resonance, the input voltage is increased until the desired output voltage level is achieved. For a capacitive load that must be tested at power frequency the PAR reduces power requirements, as well as test equipment size by one tenth to one thirtieth, compared to a test transformer.

The HVI PAR family of resonant as dielectric testers are perfect for power frequency testing of power cables, rotating machinery, bushings, instrument transformers, transformers, shunt reactors, and many other products.

For more info please contact sales@hvinc.com to discuss your application.
For more information on these and other high voltage test products, contact High Voltage, Inc. at www.hvinc.com, sales@hvinc.com, or call 518-329-3275.

03/07/22

Evluma Launches Low-Glare LED Roadway Luminaire

LED lighting manufacturer Evluma announces the launch of a new roadway lighting product RoadMaxTM. The RoadMax series will include three sizes: small, medium and large and a range of wattages designed to replace legacy HID 100w, 250w and 400w cobraheads. The first model in the series, the RoadMax RX1, with wattages ranging from 30W-70W and an estimated output range of 3,000 to 9,000 lumens, is estimated to start shipping at the end of April 2022.

This sleek and stylish luminaire was designed with RP-8-18 roadway requirements in mind. The unique optical design offers a combination of roadway performance and glare control unprecedented in the industry. “RoadMax is an advancement of Evluma’s reputation for low-glare, visually-pleasing outdoor lighting,” says Taisha Bezzo, National Sales Director. “RoadMax addresses contemporary concerns regarding disability glare and light trespass from roadway lighting while maintaining exceptional pole spacing.”

Multiple luminaire configurations for Type II, Type III and Type V, all with zero-uplight (U0), are offered. Additional features such as a field adjustable wattage selector (FAO), light trespass shields and a choice of photocontrol sockets are available. RoadMax can be customized to include Evluma’s Photocontrol FailsafeTM, a patented technology that solves photocontrol failures on street and area lights. Compatibility with ConnectLEDTM, Evluma’s Bluetooth app for wireless lighting controls, enables dimming and dimming schedules without the need for a network. Evluma’s comprehensive 10-year warranty and signature 20kV/10kA surge protection comes standard with every model.