NFPA 70E

[cordial98]

I know this has been covered several times but I still have questions. First am I right in assuming that with no hazard evaluation we should follow 70E Table 3-3.9.1 and 3-3.9.2 for PPE.
And second has the company covered themselves with our training that says to just follow the installation manuals that come with the equipment, I have never seen anything that talks about 70E.
I do a lot of installs and testing in a data center and as you know shuting down a PDU to install a breaker would put me out of a job.

 

[MJJBEE]

Re: NFPA 70E

1) with no hazard evaluation you should folow the tables for 70E

2) This DOES NOT qualify you to do live work without training on arc flash and how to properly wear the suits and how to use the table you may not be considered qualified. I would question if you supervisor or saftey person knows about arc flash.

3) Are you working with DC? What voltage are you working with?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: NFPA 70E

Those are sections from the 2000 edition of 70E, in the 2004 edition they would be Tables 130.7(C)(9)(a) and 130.7(C)(10). I don't have the 2000 edition, but there are limiting notes to the table in the 2004 edition. These notes will require some limited calculation. For work in panels, you can only use the table if the available fault current is 25 kA or less and if the fault clearing time is 2 cycles or less. There is also a note that will let you reduce the hazard/risk category by one number if the fault current is less than 10kA. If you don't meet these limitations, you have to do a full hazard evaluation.
Don

 

[bthielen]

Re: NFPA 70E

My guess is there is not likely to be much about this with the OEM literature because it is not practical, if not impossible, for the OEM to properly evaluate the conditions the equipment will be subjected to. There are too many unknowns with too many variables. As an OEM, we are only required to place a warning label on the equipment identifying a potential for arc flash but are not required to provide specifics. The end-user needs to evaluate the installation and determine the correct PPE requirements.

Bob

 

[cordial98]

Re: NFPA 70E

Thanks for the replies so far they are helping, as to the safety director not knowing about arc flash your right and it's kind of touchy telling someone about what they should know.
Our PDU's are 480v with internal transformers to step down to 120/208v.
I work as the only electrician in a corporate office of 800 plus people just at this location, our data center is our main communication to over 4000 stores and handels all payroll and credit card transactions.
In 13 years here I've never had a problem and want to keep it that way. I want to protect the company as well as myself.

 

[dlhoule]

Re: NFPA 70E

Probably not, but if there is a slow time, could you hold off on replacing breaker (or whatever) until there is a slow period.

We manage to schedule a lot of this type of work on Weekend or Midnite shift.

 

[H.L.]

Re: NFPA 70E

O.S.H.A only allows live work in very limited situations such as de energizing would create a greater hazard. i.e., de energizing a panel would shut down a fan that is exhausting hazardous gasses.

If you cannot shut down then your superiors need to sign off on a live work permit. If critical circuits are backed up by UPSs or gensets you might be able to shut down a panel to preform your work.

H.L.

 

[MJJBEE]

Re: NFPA 70E

There is testing that must be done live. Also somthing is not truely denergized until grounded so you must suit up to apply the ground then you can take off your suit. (I'm not shure if the grounding is just specific to my company or is a OSHA req)