As we open 2026, I am proud to reflect on what was one of the most consequential years in NETA’s history. In 2025, our Association advanced its mission of promoting safety, reliability, and technical excellence across the electrical power testing industry at a time when our work has never been more critical. Last year marked the release of ANSI/NETA ATS–2025, …
As testers, where should we start? The standards! For grounding testing, the industry reference is IEEE Std. 81, Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity, Ground Impedance, and Earth Surface Potentials of a Grounding System. As with most standards, familiarity and interpretation are key. It can be a challenge to understand the intent, methods, and implementation of the prescribed testing. Fall of Potential …
All electrical equipment has a finite lifespan. Recognizing the signs of aging and understanding how to assess equipment health is essential. As NETA Certified Technicians, we play a critical role in helping to extend the operational life of electrical systems by implementing proactive maintenance strategies that enable our customers to maximize performance and reliability for as long as possible. 1. …
The most common injury in any industry is a slip, trip, or fall. Whether a fall occurs on the same level — or worse, from a higher level — any fall can cause significant injury, resulting in production downtime, reduced maintenance activity, loss or reduction of wages for the employee, loss of profit for the company, trips to doctors and …
Stator ground faults are one of the most common disturbances for high-impedance grounded generators. A resistor is connected across the secondary of a single-phase distribution transformer connected from the machine neutral to ground to insert the high-impedance ground. The purpose of the high-impedance ground (Figure 1) is to limit the magnitude of single line-to-ground fault current flowing in the stator …
The days of low-voltage breakers being simple devices with basic overcurrent protection are long gone. Back then, the biggest challenge was to figure out how to defeat a ground fault or remember which jumper disabled thermal memory. Today, manufacturers are leveraging digital technology to add layers of protection and functionality. These advancements can quickly derail a routine day of testing …
If you work around electricity, your career…and maybe your life…depends on what’s hidden in a bowl of alphabet soup. I’m talking about electrical acronyms: NFPA, OSHA, 70E, 70B, NETA, NEC, Z462, EASA, and so on. At first, they may sound like code meant to confuse you. But once you crack that code, everything about your job makes more sense…and becomes …
As we close out the year and look ahead to 2026, I’m filled with optimism for the continued growth and influence of NETA in the electrical power testing industry. Our association remains a trusted leader in advancing standards, training, and professional excellence, and the opportunities before us have never been greater. Across every sector, the demand for skilled testing and …
Soil — most think, “Hey, it’s just dirt,” but when it comes to electricity, soil becomes more complex. Electrical resistivity (resistance to current flow) is one characteristic of soil that requires specific knowledge regarding testing and application in grounding system design. Soil is made up of combinations of clay, sand, loam, and various types of rocks. These components have differing …
Employers must ensure that competent and qualified workers complete electrical work. Focusing on work development is a key part of ensuring your organization meets the qualification requirements. NETA’s Electrical Testing Technician (ETT) certification program helps companies gauge the competency of their electrical workers. 1. How many levels of technician certification does NETA define?a. Threeb. Fourc. Fived. Six 2. Which of …