NATIONAL ELECTRIC

SAFETY CODE
(ANSI C2 / NESC)

Jim Tomaseski
IBEW Director of Safety and Health
 NESC 2012
• Executive Subcommittee approved final
draft – April 1, 2011

• 2012 Edition published on August 1, 2011

• Effective January 1, 2012

 NESC
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

Chairman and Vice Chairman

Main Committee
Executive Committee
Interpretations Subcommittee
Interim Amendment Subcommittee

Subcommittee 1 – Purpose, Scope, Application,

Definitions, and Reference
Subcommittee 2 – Grounding Methods
Subcommittee 3 – Electric Supply Stations
Subcommittee 4 – Overhead Lines – Clearances
Subcommittee 5 – Overhead Lines – Strength and Loading
Subcommittee 7 – Underground Lines
Subcommittee 8 – Work Rules
 NESC

Section 1 – Introduction (Scope, Purpose)

Section 2 – Definitions

Section 3 – References

Section 9 – Grounding Methods

 NESC
• Part 1 – Rules for the Installation of Electric Supply
Stations and Equipment Part 4
• Part 2 – Safety Rules for the Installation and
Work Rules for the Operation
Maintenance of Overhead Electric Supply and
of Electric Supply and
Communication Lines
• Part 3 – Safety Rules for the Installation and
Communications
Maintenance Lines
of Underground Electric and
Supply and
Communication Lines
Equipment
• Part 4 – Work Rules for the Operation of Electric
Supply and Communications Lines and Equipment
Subcommittee 8
– Appendix A – Uniform System of Clearances
– Appendix B - Uniform clearance calculations for conductors
under ice and wind conditions
 NESC (2007) SCOPE
• 011. Scope

A. These rules cover supply and communication

lines, equipment, and associated work practices
employed by a public or private electric supply,
communications, railway, or similar utility in the
exercise of its function as a utility. They cover
similar systems under the control of qualified
persons, such as those associated with an
industrial complex or utility interactive system.
 NESC (2007) SCOPE
B. The NESC covers utility facilities and functions up to the service
point.

NOTE: The National Electrical Code (NEC - NFPA 70, 2005 Edition)
covers utilization wiring requirements beyond the service point.

C. NESC rules cover street and area lights (supplied by underground or

overhead conductors) under the exclusive control of utilities (including
their authorized contractors) or other qualified persons (such as those
associated with an industrial complex).

NOTE: Luminaires not under such exclusive control are governed by

the requirements of the NEC.

D. NESC rules do not cover installations in mines, ships, railway rolling

equipment, aircraft, or automotive equipment, or utilization wiring
except as covered in Parts 1 and 3.
 NEC / NFPA - old
Section 90.2(B)(5):
(5) Installations under the exclusive control of an electric
utility where such installations
Are located
a. Consist in drops
of service legally established
or service laterals, and
associated metering, or
easements, rights-of-way, or by
b. Are located in legally established easements, rights-
other
of-way, oragreements
by other agreements either
eitherdesignated
designated by or
recognized by public service commissions, utility
by or recognized by public service
commissions, or other regulatory agencies having
commissions, utility commissions,
jurisdiction for such installations, or or
c. Are onregulatory
other property ownedagencies
or leased by the electric utility
having
for the purpose of communications, metering,
jurisdiction fortransformation,
generation, control, such installations
transmission, or
distribution of electric energy.
 NEC / NFPA - new
Changed 90.2(B)(5) to read as follows:
(5) Installations under the exclusive control of an electric utility where
such installations
a. Consist of service drops or service laterals, and associated metering,
These installations shall be limited
or
b. Are on property owned or leased by the electric utility for the
to Federal Lands, Native American
purpose of communications, metering, generation, control,
transformation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy, or
Reservations through the U.S.
c. Are located in legally established easements or rights-of-way, or
Department of the Interior Bureau of
d. Are located by other written agreements either
Indian Affairs, Military bases, lands
designated by or recognized by public service commissions, utility
commissions, or other regulatory agencies having jurisdiction for
controlled by port authorities and
such installations. These written agreements shall be limited to
installations for the purpose of communications, metering,
State agencies and departments,
generation, control, transformation, transmission, or distribution of
electric energy where legally established easements or rights-of-way
and lands owned by railroads
cannot be obtained. These installations shall be. limited
to Federal Lands, Native American Reservations through the U.S.
Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Military bases,
lands controlled by port authorities and State agencies and
departments, and lands owned by railroads.
 NESC 2012 – Part 4
Work Rules for the Operation of Electric Supply and
Communications Lines and Equipment

• Complete review to “clean up” language

• 2 significant changes
– Rule 410.3 on arc flash
• Rewrite to clarify intent
• Inclusion of <1000 volt exposures
– Minimum Approach Distances (MAD)
• Clean up Rule 441
• Simplify MAD rules
 NEW RULE 410.3
• The employer shall ensure that an
assessment is performed to determine
potential exposure to an electric arc for
employees who work on or near energized
lines, parts, or equipment.
• If the assessment determines potential
employee exposure, clothing made from
acetate, nylon, polyester, or polypropylene
shall not be worn, unless arc rated.
 NEW RULE 410.3
• If the assessment determines a potential employee
exposure greater than 2 cal/cm2 exists (see Neal,
Bingham, and Doughty [B59]), the employer shall:

a. Perform a detailed arc hazard analysis, or use Table

410- 1, 410-2, or 410-3 to determine the effective arc
rating of clothing or a clothing system to be worn by
employees working on or near energized lines, parts, or
equipment at voltages 50 V to 800,000 V. The arc hazard
analysis shall include a calculation of the estimated arc
energy based on the available fault current, the duration of
the arc (cycles), and the distance from the arc to the
employee.
 NEW RULE 410.3

• If the assessment determines a potential

employee exposure greater than 2 cal/cm2
exists (see Neal, Bingham, and Doughty [B59]),
the employer shall:

b. Require employees to wear clothing or a

clothing system with an effective arc rating not
less than the anticipated level of arc energy.
 NEW RULE 410.3
EXCEPTION: If the clothing or clothing system required by this rule
has the potential to create additional or greater hazards than the
possible exposure to the heat energy of the electric arc, then clothing
or a clothing system with an effective arc rating less than that required
by the this rule may be worn.

NOTE 1: Assessments performed to determine potential exposure to

an electric arc consider the affected employee’s assigned tasks and/or
work activities.
NOTE 2: A clothing system (multiple layers) that includes an outer
layer of flame resistant material and an inner layer of non-flame
resistant natural fiber material has been shown to block more heat than
a single layer. The effect of the combination of these multiple layers
may be referred to as the effective arc rating (e.g., EBT, ATPV).
NOTE 3: Engineering controls can be utilized to reduce arc energy
levels and work practices can be utilized to reduce exposure levels.
NESC 2012 – Rule 410.A.3

WHAT DOES RULE MEAN

AND
WHEN DOES IT APPLY?

Interpretation requests (IR)

asked these questions
 NESC 2007 – Rule 410.A.3
(IR – 557)

Does this rule apply to insulated conductors in an

underground manhole location. If an employee is
working on a de-energized conductor in a manhole, does
he need arc flash protection for the other energized, but
insulated conductors, that are located in the same
manhole.

While it is theoretically possible for an arc to

occur whenever parts or equipment are
energized, the likelihood – in part – is
typically dependent upon the work being
performed on energized facilities.
 NESC 2007 – Rule 410.A.3(IR – 558)

Does the term “potential exposure” mean “any possible

exposure” or does it mean “an exposure with a strong
possibility of occurring?”
“Potential exposure” can be interpreted as “any exposure
existing in possibility” or it can be interpreted as “an exposure
with a strong possibility” of actually occurring. After 1 January
2009, these differences in interpretation almost certainly will
result in differences in application of the Rule.

See I.R. 557 - Rule 410A3 requires an assessment of the

potential for an electric arc and the wearing of protective
clothing as appropriate. The employer is responsible for
determining potential employee exposure, based on what
activities will occur and to what extent such activities may
potentially initiate an arc.
 NESC 2012
Low voltage arc exposure <1000 Volts

PROPOSED TO:
Clarify interpretation issues
Specifically include <1000 volt exposures
Provide Table similar to existing Tables
 NEW TABLE 410-1
Nominal Voltage Range and Calories/Cm2
Equipment Type 50 – 250 V 251 – 600 V 601 – 1000 V
Self-contained meters /
42 204 308
Cabinets

Pad-mounted transformers 49 49 68

CT meters and control wiring 42 45 68

Metal-clad Switchgear / Motor

83 406 608
Control Centers

Pedestals, Pull Boxes, Hand

42 87 128
Holes

Open Air (includes lines) 42 47 68

Network Protectors 410 Note 11 Note 11

Panel boards - single phase (all) /

42 812 128
three phase (<100 A)
Panel boards – three phase
42 Note 13 Note 13
(> 100 A)
 Footnotes To Table 410-1
1. This table was developed from fault testing based on
equipment type and is independent of fault current
unless otherwise noted.

Calculations and test data are based on an 18 in

separation distance from the arc to the employee. See
IEEE Std 1584-2002.

Other methods are available to estimate arc exposure

values and may yield slightly different but equally
acceptable results.

The use of the table in the selection of clothing is

intended to reduce the amount or degree of injury but
may not prevent all burns.
 Footnotes To Table 410-1
2. Industry testing on this equipment by two separate major
utilities and a research institute has demonstrated that
voltages 50 V to 250 V will not sustain arcs for more than
2 cycles, thereby limiting exposure to less than 4 cal/cm2.

3. Value based on IEEE 1584 formula for Motor Control

Centers. (Gap = 1 in) (Xd = 1.641) (18 in distance) 51 kA
(Based on a 208 V, 1000 kVA, 5.3% Z, served from a 500
MVA system) Maximum duration without circuit
protective device operation from industry testing (see Ref
[1]) is 10 cycles: 46.5 cal/s/cm2 x 0.167 s = 7.8 cal/cm2.

4. Industry testing on 480 V equipment indicates exposures

for self-contained meters do not exceed 20 cal/cm2.

5. Industry testing on 480 V equipment indicates exposures

for CT meters and control wiring does not exceed 4
cal/cm2.
 Footnotes To Table 410-1
6. Value based on IEEE 1584 formula for Motor Control Centers.
(Gap = 1 in) (Xd = 1.641) (18 in distance) 12.7 kA at 480 V (worst-
case energy value from testing). (See Ref [2].) Maximum
duration without circuit protective device operation from tests is
85 cycles: 26.2 cal/s/cm2 x 1.42 s = 37 cal/cm2.

7. Incident analysis on this equipment indicates exposures do not

exceed the values in the table.

8. Engineering analysis indicates that applying a 150% multiplier

to the 480 V exposure values provides a conservative value for
equipment and open air lines operating at 601 V to 1000 V.

9. Industry testing on 480 V equipment indicates exposures on

pad-mounted transformers do not exceed 4 cal/cm2. (See Ref
[2].)

10. Industry testing on 208 V network protectors indicates

exposures do not exceed 4 cal/cm2. (See Ref [1].)
 Footnotes To Table 410-1
11. Industry testing on 480 V network protectors indicates
arcs will not self-extinguish and heat flux rates will exceed
60 cal/cm2/s at 24 in working distance. Perform arc hazard
analysis. (See Ref [2].)

12. Industry testing on 480 V panels with non-edge mounted

bus bars indicates exposures do not exceed 8 cal/cm2.
(See Ref [2].)

13. Industry testing on panelboards with edge-mounted,

parallel bus bars indicate arcs will not self-extinguish and
heat flux rates will exceed 60 cal/cm2/s at 18 in working
distance. Perform arc hazard analysis. (See Ref [2].)

14. IEEE 1584 original test data indicates there is no

significant difference between heat flux rates for 400 V
class equipment verses 600 V class equipment.
Minimum Approach Distance
(MAD)
 Minimum Approach Distance
(MAD)
 OSHA - in 1910.269 and 1926 Subpart V
(and others)

NESC - in Part 4 - Rules for the Operation

of Electric Supply and Communication
Lines and equipment

• IEEE 516 - IEEE Guide for Maintenance

Methods on Energized Power Lines
 Minimum Approach Distance
(MAD)
 OSHA – the closest distance an employee is
permitted to approach an energized or a
grounded object

 NESC – the closest distance a qualified

employee is permitted to approach either an
energized or a grounded object, as
applicable for the work method being used

 IEEE 516 - the minimum air insulation

distance (MAID) plus a factor for inadvertent
movement
 Minimum Approach Distance
(MAD)
 In NESC since early 1900’s
 Recent years based on IEEE 516
calculation method
 IEEE 516 repeatedly changed since
inception
 NESC has followed those changes
 IEEE 516 2009 changes begs the
question “Why change again?”
 NESC - 1914
OPERATING DISTANCE IN
VOLTAGE FEET
750 – 7500 ……………………. 6 inches

7500 ……………………. 1

15000 ……………………. 2

50000 ……………………. 3

70000 ……………………. 5
Distances for intermediate voltages to be determined by
interpolation
 Minimum Approach Distance
(MAD)
 Error discovered in phase-to-phase
calculations
 Phase-to-ground air saturation factor
used to calculate phase-to-phase MAD
 Discovered error deemed some OSHA
and NESC MAD values incorrect
 Must correct in OSHA and 2012 edition
of the NESC
 Minimum Approach Distance
(MAD)

 Most significant changes occur in

phase-to-phase voltages above 230 kV
 Phase-to-phase increases perceived as
problems by some SC8 members
 Distribution voltage levels also revised
 Are users/can users calculate TOV
Engineering analysis of system is
critical to application of MAD
 IEEE 516
MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCE

• MAID
MAID – Minimum air insulation distance
• MTID – Minimum tool insulation distance
•
MINIMUM AIR
MAD – Minimum approach distance
• INSULATION
MAD for tools – MAD with tool in air gap
• MHAD – Minimum helicopter approach
distanceDISTANCE
 IEEE 516
MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCE

What is MAD?
• Safe working distance
• Equal to the MAID + Inadvertent movement
factor (worker movement)
< 72.5 kV= 1 foot
≥ 72.5 kV = 2 feet
• Different voltages – different equations
• Add a tool and add a factor
• Add a helicopter and add a factor
 CALCULATING MAD
Line-to-ground and line-to-line voltages above 750 V and below 5.0 kV

When the line-to-ground and line-to-line voltage is between

750 V and 5.0 kV, sufficient test data are not available to
calculate the MAID, which is less than 2 cm or 0.07 feet.
This guide recommends the following:

a) MAID, line-to-ground and line-to-line

1) DM = 0.02
2) DFT = 0.07

b) MAD, line-to-ground and line-to-line

1) DM = 0.63
2) DFT = 2.07
 CALCULATING MAD
Line to ground above 72.5 kV

• DMAD =((C1)+a)(VL−G )(T )( A))+M

• DMADforTools =(((C1)( C2)+a)(VL−G)(T)(A))+M

• DMHAD =(((C1)+ a)(VL−G )(T )( A))+M )(H)

• C1 = 60 Hz rod gap withstand
• C2 = tool factor (tool in air gap)
• a = air saturation factor
• VL-G = line to ground voltage
• T = maximum anticipated per-unit TOV
• A = altitude correction factor
• M = inadvertant movement factor
• H = helicopter factor
 CALCULATING MAD

TOVPeak equal to or greater than 27.00 kV – MAD Line-to-ground

 CALCULATING MAD
MAD, line-to-line, for line-to-line voltages equal to and less than 242 kV

MAD, line-to-line, for line-to-line voltages greater than 242 kV

 EXAMPLE OF
MAD TABLE 2007 NESC
T p.u.) Line-to-ground work Line-to-line work

MAD
MAID (ft) MTID (ft) MAD (ft) for Tools (ft) MHID (ft) MAID (ft) MAD (ft) MHID (ft)

1.5 1.26 1.39 2.26 2.39 2.49 2.22 3.22 3.54

1.6 1.34 1.48 2.34 2.48 2.58 2.35 3.35 3.68

1.7 1.43 1.57 2.43 2.57 2.67 2.48 3.48 3.83

1.8 1.51 1.66 2.51 2.66 2.76 2.61 3.61 3.97

1.9 1.60 1.75 2.60 2.75 2.85 2.75 3.75 4.12

2.0 1.68 1.85 2.68 2.85 2.95 2.88 3.88 4.27

2.1 1.76 1.94 2.76 2.94 3.04 3.02 4.02 4.42

2.2 1.85 2.03 2.85 3.03 3.13 3.16 4.16 4.58

2.3 1.93 2.12 2.93 3.12 3.22 3.30 4.30 4.73

2.4 2.01 2.22 3.01 3.22 3.32 3.44 4.44 4.89

2.5 2.10 2.31 3.10 3.31 3.41 3.59 4.59 5.04

2.6 2.18 2.40 3.18 3.40 3.50 3.73 4.73 5.20

2.7 2.27 2.49 3.27 3.49 3.59 3.88 4.88 5.36

2.8 2.35 2.58 3.35 3.58 3.68 4.02 5.02 5.52

2.9 2.43 2.68 3.43 3.68 3.78 4.17 5.17 5.69

3.0 2.52 2.77 3.52 3.77 3.87 4.32 5.32 5.85

3.1 2.60 2.86 3.60 3.86 3.96 4.47 5.47 6.02

3.2 2.68 2.95 3.68 3.95 4.05 4.63 5.63 6.19

3.3 2.77 3.04 3.77 4.04 4.14 4.78 5.78 6.36

3.4 2.85 3.14 3.85 4.14 4.24 4.94 5.94 6.53

3.5 2.94 3.23 3.94 4.23 4.33 5.09 6.09 6.70

 Voltage in Distance to employee4
kilovolts Phase-to-ground Phase-to-Phase
phase-to-
(m) (ft–in) (m) (ft-in )
phase1,2,3
0 to 0.050 Not specified Not specified

0.051 to 0.300 Avoid contact Avoid contact

0.301 to 0.750 0.32 1-1 0.32 1–1

0.751 to 15 0.64 2–2 0.67 2-3

15.1 to 36.0 0.73 2-5 0.84 2 - 10
36.1 to 46.0 0.79 2-7 0.94 3-1
46.1 to 72.5 0.89 3–0 1.15 3-9
Voltage in Distance to employee from energized part4,5,6,10
kilovolts Without tools With tools Without tools
phase-to- phase-to-ground phase-to-ground7,9 phase-to-phase8
phase (m) (ft-in) (m) (ft-in) (m) (ft-in)
72.6 to 121 0.94 3–1 1.01 3–4 1.37 4–7

121.1 to 145 1.07 3–7 1.15 3 – 10 1.62 5–4

145.1 to 169 1.20 3 – 11 1.29 4–3 1.88 6–3

169.1 to 242 1.58 5–3 1.71 5–8 2.77 9–2

242.1 to 362 2.56 8–5 2.75 9–1 4.32 14 – 3

362.1 to 550 3.38 11 – 1 3.61 11 – 11 6.01 19 – 9

550.1 to 800 4.54 14 - 11 4.82 15 - 10 8.87 29 - 2

 MAD
NEW TERMINOLOGY

Without With Without

tools tools tools
phase-to- phase-to- phase-to-
ground ground phase
 Distance to employee from energized part4,5,6,10
Voltage in
Without tools With tools Without tools
kilovolts
phase-to-ground phase-to-ground7,9 phase-to-phase8
phase-to-
phase
(m) (ft-in) (m) (ft-in) (m) (ft-in)

72.6 to 121 0.94 3–1 1.01 3–4 1.37 4–7

121.1 to
1.07 3–7 1.15 3 – 10 1.62 5–4
145
145.1 to
1.20 3 – 11 1.29 4–3 1.88 6–3
169
169.1 to
1.58 5–3 1.71 5–8 2.77 9–2
242
242.1 to
2.56 8–5 2.75 9–1 4.32 14 – 3
362
362.1 to
3.38 11 – 1 3.61 11 – 11 6.01 19 – 9
550
550.1 to
4.54 14 - 11 4.82 15 - 10 8.87 29 - 2
800
 MAD
NEW TERMINOLOGY
How MAD is affected
Voltage in
Without tools With tools
kilovolts
phase-to-ground phase-to-ground
phase-to-phase

230 kV 5–3 5–8

345 kV 8–5 9–1

500 kV 11 – 1 11 - 11
 NESC 2012
MINIMUM APPROASCH DISTANCE
PROPOSAL

SIGNIFICANT NEW FOOTNOTES

• Distances for live-line tools in the air gap were

calculated by adding a tool factor to the electrical
component (IEEE 516 C2 1.1 tool factor).
• Phase-to-phase live-line tool in the air gap
values are not available. If this situation exists,
an engineering evaluation should be performed.
• With tools means a live-line tool bridging the air
gap to the employee from the energized part.
 MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCES
WHAT’S IN THE FUTURE

• OSHA 1926 Subpart V and 1910.269

MAD tables are incorrect
• OSHA re-opened rulemaking record to
specifically address MAD
• NESC not completed when record
closed - IEEE 516 was
• OSHA should adopt 516 concepts and
distances
• IEEE and IEC being revised