Not in NEC?

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Isaiah

Senior Member
Location
Baton Rouge
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Electrical Inspector
Why isn’t step-touch potential grounding and bonding addressed in NEC?
Utility substations have it according to IEEE-80


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The NEC is an electrical installation standard, not a safety standard. I would encourage you to submit an input for the next edition of the NEC about step potential.
 
Step/Touch potential really only comes into play for higher voltages. While NEC does go above LV systems, the NEC often leaves much to be desired on requirements and standards for anything MV and above.
 
Step and touch potential can be an issue at low voltages where sensation rather than electrocution risk are involved.
Livestock, especially milk cows, are sensitive to very low voltages in the ground.
Touch potential can be fatal to both animals and people where energized metal objects are exposed. (City light poles are a perennial issue.)
Touch potential and water potential gradient can be fatal in swimming pools and marinas.
The NEC tries to address the later by bonding and GFI requirements.
 
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