NFPA 70E Electrical maintenance effects on my facilities

[WiscElectrician]

Hello all. I am not sure if this is the correct thread, but will shoot it out here to start.

I am currently trying to emphasize to upper management how important maintenance is on our gear. I am trying to introduce IR scanning windows, cable trending, and updated redlines and coordination studies with updated incident energy analysis reports.

With the new NFPA 2015 code changes, it looks like I will have more legs to stand on when asking for the additional funding. What seems to work best for me is liability concerns and fear tactics, so now to the question.

A while ago I saw an arc flash video which showed the difference between 3 different arc flashes at different cycle clearing times at the same panel board, all with 10kA available fault current. Does anybody have access to this video? and any other videos anybody would suggest for a PowerPoint presentation? Possibly with a phase to phase conductor failure for the emphasis on cable trending? These are upper management individuals with limited understanding of electrical, so the flashier the better.

Thanks

 

[zog]

I think you are referring to the Westex videos, they are on their website. Make sure you look at chapter 2 (Which many never read) of the 70E for some more guidance and ammo for your argument.

Keep in mind that proper maintenance is more than just testing, power breakers require PM's and overhauls, traditional testing does not give real clearing times since the breaker is opened and racked out before it is tested. To know real clearing times and the mechanical condition of your breakers you need to gather first trip data. One new way is with the CBA http://www.circuitbreakeranalyzer.com/breaker-first-trip-testing.htm

Also the new AC PRO 2 trip unit has a neat feature called sluggish breaker detection which alerts you to long opening times from problems like dried lubricants or worn mechanical parts. http://www.utilityrelay.com/Products/AC-PRO-II.html