Using NFPA 70E to Determine Shock and Arc Flash Boundaries

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesCover Story, Summer 2020 Cover Story

The 2018 edition of NFPA 70E is still active, even though many people are looking forward to a new edition in 2021. The 2021 edition will be released to the public in late September or early October, first in pdf form, then as a printed document. Until that release, the current edition must be referenced. Shock Boundaries Shock remains the …

Troubleshooting

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Spring 2020 Columns, Tech Quiz

This issue of NETA World covers troubleshooting. A big part of that is being able to interpret a schematic, and some of the most difficult are those for circuit breakers (unless you work in the circuit breaker shop, I suppose). Give these questions a try. Here’s a big call-out to retired Instructor Craig Nelson, who got tired of my hand …

Communications

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2019 Columns

This edition of the NETA World is on communications — a very broad, but necessary subject. This Tech Quiz looks at three types of communication: digital substations, three-way communication, and hand signals for heavy lifting and cranes. Every NETA technician should have knowledge of these. 1. Digital substations are based on which IEC standard? IEC 61800 IEC 47855 IEC 60947 …

ASTM F18 Committee Report

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesFall 2019 Specifications & Standards, Specifications & Standards

The ASTM F18 committee meeting was held in Denver, Colorado, on April 1–5, 2019. Committee meetings are held annually in April and October. Wearing Apparel The F1506 Wearing Apparel Task Group did the main work in this session. This actually became several sessions, as F1506 was divided into smaller pieces so it could be handled more easily. The task group …

Emerging Technologies

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Fall 2019 Columns, Tech Quiz

Wikipedia defines emerging technologies: “Emerging technologies are technologies that are perceived as capable of changing the status quo. These technologies are generally new but include older technologies that are still controversial and relatively undeveloped in potential.” In this issue, we look at some emerging technologies that are in use now or might be in the future. This Tech Quiz is …

Using NFPA 70E to Stay Alive

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Summer 2019 Columns, Tech Quiz

This month’s Tech Quiz takes a bit different look at NFPA 70E requirements. What is involved in electrical testing? As with most things, it’s not as simple as it may seem. 1. If you are a crew leader, what is the first thing you would do to test a transformer? a. De-energize it b. Isolate it by lockout/tagout (LOTO) c. …

ASTM F18 Committee Report

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesSpecifications & Standards, Spring 2019 Specifications & Standards

The ASTM Committee has purview over all protective electrical equipment, including arc flash suits, arc-rated clothing, rubber insulated gloves, insulated tools, and grounds. They do not specify how they are to be used, but specify how they are to be designed, tested, cleaned, and cared for. The meeting was held in Orlando, Florida, on October 8–9, 2018, which sounds nice, …

Sulphur Hexafluoride Circuit Breakers

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Spring 2019 Columns, Tech Quiz

Sulphur hexafluoride circuit breakers used to be the domain of utilities, but they are liable to be used now by any large- or medium-size industrial. This Tech Quiz will review some of the NETA standard requirements for these circuit breakers. 1. In ANSI/NETA ATS, which ANSI/IEEE standard is referred to if manufacturer’s data is not available? a. C57.04 b. C57.11 …