Splices and energized work

[maryl]

Does anyone have an effective procedure for working in junction boxes where there may be live circuits? De-energize whenever possible for sure - but if that is not possible and the work is not on the energized cirucits? For example 1. De-energize if possible 2. use only fiberglass fish tape to pull wire into junction boxes with energized circuits. 3. secure all wire nuts in the box and tape any conductors over 20(?) gauge 4. PPE?
I'm looking for a safe and practicle procedure.

 

[billsnuff]

safety manager

safety manager

maryl

if you don't have one, get a copy of NFPA 70E (2009) and review 130.1 Justification for work, for a start. Unless it is infeasible or less than 50 volts, equipment must be placed in a electrically safe work condition.

 

[billsnuff]

with apologies to Zog

with apologies to Zog

shoulda thought of this sooner.........try ZOGs FAQs on safety, very good..

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=99114

 

[maryl]

So, the key to working in a junction box would be "might be exposed" because of the possibility of a wire nut falling off. Shut it all down. With respect to Infeasibility, is it feasible to trace every spliced connductor in the box? Or if not, you need the PPE? Going strickly by the 70e, you should have all your PPE on even bofore you remove the junction box cover?

 

[zog]

So, the key to working in a junction box would be "might be exposed" because of the possibility of a wire nut falling off. Shut it all down. With respect to Infeasibility, is it feasible to trace every spliced connductor in the box? Or if not, you need the PPE? Going strickly by the 70e, you should have all your PPE on even bofore you remove the junction box cover?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

 

[billsnuff]

NFPA 70E Article 130.1 Justification for work. Live parts to which an employee might be exposed shall be put into an electrically safe work condition before an employee works on or near them, unless the employer can demonstrate that deenergizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations.

NOTE 1: Examples of increased or additional hazards include, but are not limited to, interruption of life support equipment, deactivation of emergency alarm systems, shutdown of hazardous location ventilation equipment

Unless you are testing voltage or troubleshooting, you should not be 'live'. You need to do a task risk anaylsis, develop procedures for the task and have a job breifing. An energized work permit would be required with all pertinent information that a qualified, trained person can understand and and sign off on.

A loose wire nut is only a hazard when the wire is energized, not deenergized.

see Annex F and J of 70E

 

[jrannis]

Does anyone have an effective procedure for working in junction boxes where there may be live circuits? De-energize whenever possible for sure - but if that is not possible and the work is not on the energized cirucits? For example 1. De-energize if possible 2. use only fiberglass fish tape to pull wire into junction boxes with energized circuits. 3. secure all wire nuts in the box and tape any conductors over 20(?) gauge 4. PPE?
I'm looking for a safe and practicle procedure.

Seems like if its in a junction box and spliced, it would be no more energized than a lamp cord.
Grandma doesnt suit up to plug in the coffee pot!

 

[zog]

Grandma doesnt suit up to plug in the coffee pot!

Mine does

 

[Fulthrotl]

Mine does

isn't that dependent on how strong the coffee is? while i don't drink the stuff
myself, my wife loves espresso that can remove the chrome on the bumper
of a '65 buick. i've had to wear PPE just to watch her drink it, and observe
closest point of approach rules.

 

[Fulthrotl]

Does anyone have an effective procedure for working in junction boxes where there may be live circuits? De-energize whenever possible for sure - but if that is not possible and the work is not on the energized cirucits? For example 1. De-energize if possible 2. use only fiberglass fish tape to pull wire into junction boxes with energized circuits. 3. secure all wire nuts in the box and tape any conductors over 20(?) gauge 4. PPE?
I'm looking for a safe and practicle procedure.

practicality was discarded 4 years ago, along with convenience. to all extents
and purposes, you have to have PPE sufficient for the task at hand, and a
reason why it is safer to do the work hot, than to de energize it. not more
practical, but safer. this rules out virtually every reason.

in thinking back about the instances in the past where i have worked a piece
of equipment hot that would have been justified under the current rules, it
comes down to *one* time. the rest were for expediency, or my convenience.
that's in 32 years.

 

[infinity]

Seems like if its in a junction box and spliced, it would be no more energized than a lamp cord.
Grandma doesnt suit up to plug in the coffee pot!

I agree. Working on energized equipment with bare energized parts and working in a JB with insulated conductors are two different things.

 

[220/221]

I agree. Working on energized equipment with bare energized parts and working in a JB with insulated conductors are two different things.

Not to people who write rules/laws. They like to lump everthing together because it is easier. To those people, live is live and is always dangerous and never permitted. Other, more practical people understand the term "situational".