NFPA–2023 Chapter 4 General: What Is Required, and Are Your Current Customers in Compliance?

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCFeatures, Winter 2023 Features

In January 2023, NFPA 70B transitioned from the Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance to the Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. The change became effective on January 16, 2023, when it was approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). As NFPA 70B moves from a recommended practice to an enforceable standard, now is the time …

COVID-19 and the Birth of PowerTest TV

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCPresident's Desk, Columns, Summer 2021 Columns

In this issue of NETA World, we focus on medium-voltage circuit breaker test methods and the analysis of the resulting test data from those methods. Be sure to check out “Power Factoring Medium-Voltage Breakers” by Rick Youngblood of Electrical Maintenance & Testing and “The Why of Medium-Voltage Circuit Breaker Testing” by Paul Grein of Group CBS Testing for a good …

PowerTest 2021 — An All-New Virtual Experience

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCPresident's Desk, Columns, Spring 2021 Columns

It is January 20, 2021, and the country is in the midst of a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus. The Conference Committee, in consultation with the NETA Board of Directors, has decided  to go totally virtual with PowerTest 2021,  the premier electrical maintenance and safety conference intended for all electrical professionals and especially beneficial for field service technicians, inspectors, utility …

Committee Report: NFPA 70 Code Making Panel 10

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCSpecifications & Standards, Spring 2021 Specifications & Standards

CMP-10 is a very well-organized and knowledgeable panel, with representation from many organizations including IAIE, IEC, IEEE, IBEW, EEI, ACC, NETA, UL, NEMA, and NECA. This diverse group brings various points of view to the code-making process. For the 2023 cycle, Nathan Philips has been appointed chair of CMP-10. This will be Nathan’s first code cycle (2023) as chair. Nathan …

Welcome to the Winter Edition

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCPresident's Desk, Columns, Winter 2020 Columns

This edition of NETA World features articles on electrical power system protection. Protection schemes covering feeder, generation, transmission, and transformers may have many similarities, but they often contain specific functions or schemes unique to that type of equipment.  Be sure you check out this edition’s four feature articles: “Challenges in Transformer Protection Testing,” by Scott Cooper of OMICRON electronics “Testing …

Medium-Voltage Cables

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCColumns, Fall 2020 Columns, President's Desk

Welcome to the fall edition of NETA World. In this issue, our authors cover the various methods for performing testing on medium-voltage cables. I recommend you start with the article by Tom Sandri of Shermco Industries, which lays out the current test methods for acceptance and maintenance testing of medium-voltage cables. Next, dive into the articles on specific testing methods …

Limiting Arc Flash Exposure on Low-Voltage Systems

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCColumns, Safety Corner, Summer 2020 Columns

As the electrical industry addresses arc flash electrical safety concerns, it now acknowledges the high risks associated with what used to be normal maintenance tasks. In many cases, excessively high arc flash incident energy levels require all maintenance to be done with equipment de-energized, despite the fact that it may not always be considered feasible. In addition to the usual …

Fight COVID-19 with PPE

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCColumns, President's Desk, Summer 2020 Columns

It was great seeing everyone at PowerTest 2020 in Chicago! On behalf of the NETA Board of Directors, we thank our sponsors, Corporate Alliance Partners, and trade show vendors, and applaud the hard work and dedication of the NETA Staff who help make PowerTest successful. In this NETA World, we look at NFPA 70E‐2018 requirements for labeling electrical equipment for …

Welcome To POWERTEST 2020

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCColumns, President's Desk, Spring 2020 Columns

As we leave winter and advance into spring, our industry is preparing for the spring outage season. This time of year, the return of daylight leads to longer work days and more deadlines to meet the expectations of our customers. Be sure to follow the safety policies of your company as well as those required by the facility where the …

Welcome to the 2019 Winter Edition of NETA World

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCColumns, President's Desk, Winter 2019 Columns

As humans, we are drawn to one another and communicate with each other using a variety of methods. Good and effective communication is an essential tool to achieve productivity and maintain strong and lasting working relationships at all levels of an organization. What every interaction has in common is the need for clear and effective communication.  In this issue of NETA …