nesc nfpa70e

[newt]

I work for a utility so I fall under nesc but if I work past a service disconnect do I fall under nfpa70e ?

 

[GoldDigger]

I work for a utility so I fall under nesc but if I work past a service disconnect do I fall under nfpa70e ?

IMHO, yes.

The applicable code is determined by what you are working on, not who you are or how you are trained.

The OSHA implications, on the other hand, are determined by your company safety policy, not by where you are working.

 

[petersonra]

I work for a utility so I fall under nesc but if I work past a service disconnect do I fall under nfpa70e ?

you only fall under either code if your employer says so.

your employer can also decide that one code would apply sometimes and another at other times.

 

[wbdvt]

you only fall under either code if your employer says so.

your employer can also decide that one code would apply sometimes and another at other times.

I would have to disagree with this as each code states in the Scope section the applicability of the code. Utilities will fall under NESC except for facilities that are not associated with transmission, distribution or generation. So the office building that contains the control center would fall under the NEC which includes NFPA 70E. The line of demarcation for most utilities is the weatherhead connection at the building for an overhead service. For a utility owned padmount txf, it is typically the secondary spades.

Likewise for OSHA, it would depend on where and what the work is. For example, for maintenance on distribution lines, it would be 1910. But for construction, it would be 1926.

 

[petersonra]

I would have to disagree with this as each code states in the Scope section the applicability of the code. Utilities will fall under NESC except for facilities that are not associated with transmission, distribution or generation. So the office building that contains the control center would fall under the NEC which includes NFPA 70E. The line of demarcation for most utilities is the weatherhead connection at the building for an overhead service. For a utility owned padmount txf, it is typically the secondary spades.

Likewise for OSHA, it would depend on where and what the work is. For example, for maintenance on distribution lines, it would be 1910. But for construction, it would be 1926.

neither code has been adopted by any governmental entity. it does not matter what the code says, it only applies if it is adopted by an employer. the fact that most employers (at least the smart ones) will adopt one of these two codes does not mean they have to.

 

[GoldDigger]

neither code has been adopted by any governmental entity. it does not matter what the code says, it only applies if it is adopted by an employer. the fact that most employers (at least the smart ones) will adopt one of these two codes does not mean they have to.

Funny, I thought that the NEC (70) has been adopted by a lot of governmental entities and so governs any work in its adopted scope whether done by an electrician or a POCO tech. NESC, on the other hand, has not been adopted.
And from OSHA's point of view a company's safety policy is what they adopt (potentially based on NESC or 70E with references to 70), whether the work being done under that safety policy falls under the scope of one wiring code or another.

The whole issue has been muddled by the previous post which stated

... would fall under the NEC which includes NFPA 70E

NEC (70) covers the resulting safety of the work which has been done. The way that work is performed is within the scope of 70E. I would say the quote has it exactly backwards, unless I am misinterpreting it.

If POCO does not adopt 70E, some of the work they do can still be bound by 70.

 

[newt]

Is there any documentation stating that we need to follow nfpa safety rules instead of nesc once inside a customer owned facility or substation and if the point were we hand off is the weather head then the meter can would not fall under nesc

 

[petersonra]

NEC does not "include" NFPA70E. It is a completely separate code.

NEC itself is legally required in many jurisdictions. I don't believe there are any jurisdictions where NFPA70E is legally required. As a practical matter it makes sense to adopt it but it is not legally required.

 

[iwire]

NEC does not "include" NFPA70E. It is a completely separate code.

NEC itself is legally required in many jurisdictions. I don't believe there are any jurisdictions where NFPA70E is legally required. As a practical matter it makes sense to adopt it but it is not legally required.

I think that sums it up.

 

[kwired]

I don't know what is all in NESC, I always assumed it was mostly like NEC in that it primarily covered installations, does it also cover worker safety like 70E does?

 

[newt]

im looking at safety, nesc is a lot more lenient than inside wireman safety but when I step in there world I should have to follow there guidelines im told I need 8 cal for 120/208 service sometimes I see an arc flash study done and its more than 8 cal.

 

[wbdvt]

One thing to keep in mind is that the IEEE 1584 testing was only able to sustain an arc at 208V in one particular configuration. That is part of the reasoning why there is an exemption based on transformer size and voltage for analysis. The results are questionable.

On the other hand the values in Table 410-1 in the NESC are based on actual testing done by two major utilities and a research institute. These results are specific to the equipment listed.

 

[newt]

If I go inside a facility to install a power quality meter and I see an arc flash study done and its 12 cal but nesc allows me o use 8 cal I need to follow whats on gear not nesc right?

 

[wbdvt]

If I go inside a facility to install a power quality meter and I see an arc flash study done and its 12 cal but nesc allows me o use 8 cal I need to follow whats on gear not nesc right?

If you are inside the facility, you are most likely on the secondary side of the utility transformer and in customer owned equipment. Since a study was done, then the proper equipment type was analyzed and you need to follow the arc flash label PPE requirements.

 

[petersonra]

If you are inside the facility, you are most likely on the secondary side of the utility transformer and in customer owned equipment. Since a study was done, then the proper equipment type was analyzed and you need to follow the arc flash label PPE requirements.

I think that is the safe bet. Whether it is really true or not depends on his employer's safety program.