2012 Key Changes = to NFPA 70E

3D"Macintosh

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Scope

The sc= ope of 70E found in section 90.2 has been updated to match the NEC scope. So wherever the NEC is applied, the 70E standard applies as well. When wir= ing is under the jurisdiction of the utility, the National Electrical Safety Code applies. The scope has also been clarified that 70E applies to electrical inspections.

Terminology

The te= rm “flame resistant” or “FR” will be replaced by the term “arc-rated” to clari= fy that arc-rated clothing has been tested for exposure to electrical arc, whe= reas not all FR type clothing materials have been.

Hazard/Risk Tables

The Hazard/Risk Task Tables can be a valuable tool in understanding how electri= cal hazards differ when performing various tasks across a wide range of equipment. These tables were intro= duced in 2004 as an alternate method to incident energy calculations. They were meant to be used when qualified personnel came across energized equipment that was not labeled with an incident energy value.

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2009= Task Table Categories	2012= Task Table Categories
Panelboards or other Equipment 240V and less<= /p>	Panelboards or other Equipment 240V and less<= /p>
Panelboards, Switch= boards, or other equipment 250V to 600V	Panelboards or other equipment 250V to 600V
Motor Control Centers, 600V Class	Motor Control Centers, 600V Class
Switchgear, 600V Class	Switchgear and Switchboards, 600V Class

Table 1

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In the 2012 version the equipment categories have been somewhat simplified (see Table 1). The first two categories now deal strictly with panelboards, disconnects and ot= her equipment. Switchboards were moved= out of those categories and now are grouped with switchgear. It just never made sense to associated = 2000-A Switchboards with 200A panelboards or 30 amp disconnects.

It sho= uld be reiterated that the Task Tables are only valid when the short circuit and clearing time of the overcurrent device protecting the equipment being work= ed on is within the parameters at the bottom of the category being used. In 2012 the 70E committee moved those p= arameters to the top of each equipment category to raise the awareness that those parameters do matter.

Arc Flash Boundaries

In 200= 9 the standard allowed for the arc flash boundary to be calculated or as an alternative a default value of 4 foot was to be used for systems 600V and below. The default value was typic= ally applied whenever the Task Tables were used. It was realized that the default value was low in certain instances = and for this reason it was removed from the standard. You may still calculate the arc flash boundary or you may use the new arc flash boundaries for each equipment cat= egory group (see Table 2). These boundar= ies are also placed at the top of the task tables to indicate their importance.=

Task Table Arc Flash Boundaries
Panelboard or other Equipment 240V or less	19 inches
Panelboard or other Equipment 250V to 600V	30 inches
Motor Control Centers, 600V Class	165 inches
Switchgear and Switchboards, 600V Class	233 inches
Other 600V Class equipment	53 inches

Table 2.

2* and the Balaclava <= /p>

When u= sing the Task based tables, the PPE requirements in 2009 were broken into five categories; 0 through 4, plus an additional one designated 2*. Category 1 and 2 required only a hard h= at and face shield to satisfy any head protection requirements, while 2* required a balaclava (see Figure 1) to supplement the hard hat and face shield for the more hazardous equipment and tasks. For= the 2012 version, the PPE categories have been simplified from five to four with the elimination of the 2*. The bal= aclava is now mandated for Category 2 tasks since the arc flash boundary distance = at this level can extend 30 inches and beyond and can encompass the entire back of = the head.

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Figure 1 – Cat 2 Balaclava=

AC vs DC

While = the NEC and 70E cover both AC and DC electrical systems, many come away with the impres= sion that both documents only apply to alternating current. Given the increased use of DC in areas s= uch as wind turbines, photovoltaics, and electric vehicles, significant work was d= one in this revision to provide safety requirements for DC systems. New tables = have been added to specifically cover DC approach boundary distances and DC Hazard/Risk Tables.

Hearing Protection

While = hearing protection was a part of the hazard/risk tables in the previous version, the requirement was not specifically addressed when the tables were not used. Specific text has been added indicating= that hearing protection is required anytime when work is performed within the arc flash boundary.

Training

Employ= ees exposed to shock hazards and those who are responsible for taking action in= an emergency are now required to be trained in methods of release of victims f= rom exposed energized parts. While emp= loyees were always required to have training in CPR they are now required to be trained to use an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) device.

Employ= ers are also required to determine through inspections or supervision on at least an annual basis that the 70E standard is being followed in their company.

GFCI Protection

GFCI protection, while always a part of NEC Article 590, has now been added to 7= 0E for using construction equipment outdoors. This requires that all cord- and plug- connected portable equipment = used outdoors, rated 125V and of the 15-, 20-, and 30-A ampacity, be protected by some type of GFCI protection. Other voltages and ampacities may use GFCI’s if available or may use an assured equipment grounding program.

Equipment labeling<= /o:p>

Many o= f the arc flash equipment labels that are installed today are incorrect since they include both an incident energy level and a Hazard/Risk Category Level. This is confusing since only one method should be used. This is mainly the result of the software company including both pieces of information. The labeling requirement [130.5(C)] has been revised to require at least three pieces of information on an equipment label: nominal system voltage, arc fl= ash boundary, and at least of the following

· A= vailable incident energy level

· M= inimum arc rating of clothing

· R= equired level of PPE

· H= ighest hazard/risk category for the equipment

Hopefully in the future, with a little education and awareness, the correct arc flash information will be placed on equipment. <= /p>