In writing my first President’s Desk message I found myself reflecting on those who laid the foundation for the InterNational Electrical Testing Association it is now my privilege to serve as NETA Board President. It is daunting to look back on NETA’s history for insight from the people who built the Association from a concept to a coveted accreditation protecting …
Grounding and bonding are integral parts of an electrical system and must be properly understood, installed, and maintained for maximum safety and performance. Accordingly, the National Electrical Code© (NEC©) focuses on describing, defining, and regulating this element, specifically in Article 250 Grounding and Bonding of Electrical Systems. Grounding electrical systems serve the dual purpose of limiting voltages that might otherwise …
Circuit breakers are critical components that allow the power distribution system to operate safely and reliably. As NETA Certified Technicians, we need to be familiar with the different types of circuit breakers and how they function. 1. When using a circuit breaker for isolation, what is the most effective way to lock it out?a. Lock it in the open position.b. …
The Six-P Rule (Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance) can go a long way to preventing human error, but humans still make mistakes. James Reason, a prominent University of Manchester professor, psychologist, and author, states: “Human error is a consequence, not a cause. Errors are shaped by upstream workplace and organizational factors. Only by understanding the context of the error …
Breaker failure protection provides backup protection in case the local circuit breaker fails to clear a system fault. If a breaker fails to trip, adjacent breakers must be tripped to isolate the fault from the sources feeding it. Figure 1 illustrates a fault on the transmission line served by Breaker 3 and Breaker 4. If Breaker 3 fails to open, Breaker 2, Breaker 5, and …
Equipment underutilization is, by implication, an underdiscussed subject. I am all too familiar with this phenomenon, e.g., relays with useful but unprogrammed protective functions, calibrated test equipment that rarely sees the light of day, fully functional battery chargers next to pallets of long-deceased 12 V valve-regulated lead–acid batteries (VRLAs), etc. This negligence is no less true of rotating machines, where inexpensive …
There is no better electrical safety standard than NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. It’s a work practices document, composed and approved through consensus and input from a wide range of subject matter experts and members of the public. It follows the ANSI standards-making process with an end goal specifically designed to protect personnel from the hazards …