Presented by Dave Kreger - Premier Power Maintenance Corp.

As more and more jurisdictions adopt the newer National Electrical Code (NEC), more emphasis will be placed on meeting the requirements of mandated arc flash energy reduction means from both the hardware and in-field performance testing perspectives. The 2020 National Electrical Code introduced the requirements to have all circuits operating at or above 1200 Amps to have arc energy reduction means. The 2023 NEC revision adds 240.87 (C) Performance Testing. The emphasis on in-field performance testing by ‘qualified person(s)’ clearly points to NETA Certified Test Technicians as the method of compliance with the Code. In addition to the new equipment installation and testing of arc energy reduction systems, NFPA 70B, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, introduces additional inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements that our customers must manage, and many of those requirements are beyond their organic staff to perform. The 70B Standard depicts maintenance requirements on practically every power distribution system component, and further dissects them into four distinct categories: Category 1, online or energized inspections organic technicians should be capable of, and Category 1A, enhanced testing usually reserved for testing companies utilizing more specialized test equipment; Category 2, offline or de-energized maintenance performed by organic technicians, and Category 2A, off-line or de-energized inspection and testing typically performed by testing companies. In any case, emphasis is placed on ‘qualified’ workers performing the maintenance activities.