At What Voltage Is A Licensed Electrician Required?

[pharouff]

I am used to electricians working above 30 volts, while HVAC technicians or IT personnel can work below 30 volts.

NFPA 70E just requires additional training for "qualified personnel" working above 50 volts. NESC appears to only require "qualified personnel" above 300 volts.

When does "qualified personnel" become "licensed electrician"?

I am looking for specific regulations applicable in Alabama, Alaska, and California.

 

[bphgravity]

In my opinion, only qualified and licensed electricians should work on electrical equipment for any system over 1 volt.

A person may be deemed qualified by an organization, employer, or even possibly self-evaluation. A licensed person is one that has satisfied the requirements established by an organization that usually involves a combination or training, education, and testing. See the NEC defnition of "Qualified Person" in Article 100 of the NEC. The NPFA 70E would be the best gauge to determine qualifications for most cases.

A licensed person may not be qualified for certain conditions or certain circumstances. A qualified person does not necessarily need to be licensed.

 

[petersonra]

I think there are two separate and distinct issues here.

One is qualifications. Qualified means the person by training and experience is capable of safely and efficiently performing a specified task.

The other is licensing. Licensing is where government (mostly) determines what person is allowed to perform certain tasks. One of the factors in selecting which persons are allowed to perform certain tasks may be qualifications.

My experience with licensed tradesmen has been very mixed, leading me to believe that licensing does not necessarily mean qualified.

There are many electrical tasks that require no licensing even in heavily regulated areas of the country. Most people doing electrical work on production lines (such as the guys that put together switchgear at the factory) require no licensing.

It is only once you get into public view that licensing of electrical workers ever becomes an issue. Part of it is the natural tendency of government to control anything it can, and the tendency of politicians to do "something" to deal with some perceived problem so they can claim they did something useful to the voters. There is also the competitive advantage it gives to those already licensed, which is not insubstantial.

 

[growler]

You can't really go just by voltage. Many states require low voltage licenses but then they divide this area into categories ( fire alarms, sound systems , data ). The best idea is to check locally to see what licenses or permits are necessary. You probably wouldn't want the AC Tech. working on your fire alarm system or the sound guy working on your AC system. One day even Bob will learn that the electrical field is very broad and that there are qualified people out there. Being an electrician doesn't make a person qualified in every area of the trade. You have to hire the right people for the job.

 

[satcom]

"It is only once you get into public view that licensing of electrical workers ever becomes an issue. Part of it is the natural tendency of government to control anything it can, and the tendency of politicians to do "something" to deal with some perceived problem so they can claim they did something useful to the voters. There is also the competitive advantage it gives to those already licensed, which is not insubstantial."


Public safety is the main issue, goverment only enforces these safety laws, without codes, and enforcement, insurers would have to assign higher risk costs to electrical installations, and consumer protection would not exist, there is no competitive advantage, when everyone has to comply with Lic. laws, and inspections, those already licensed, have shown they have the knowladge to do the work.