NationalElectricalCode(NEC)NFPA70and

ElectricalSafetyintheWorkplaceNFPA70EUpdate

Presentedby:
ErnieGallo
Director
Ericsson TelcordiaNIS
 CodesinContext

IEEE NESC
NFPA NEC&NFPA70E
GO95.GO128.GO165
OSHA1910.268/269
InternalM&Ps
GRsandULListings
JointUseAgreements(JUA)
UL
GRs/SRs
ATI

IndustrySafetyCodesandStandards
RegulatoryRules....LegalMandates
InternalPracticesEngineeringDesign
 Purposes/Scopes
InsideBuildings NEC
Purpose =Thepracticalsafeguardingof
personsandpropertyfromhazardsarisingfrom
theuseofelectricity
NFPA=FireProtection
Scope coversinstallationofelectricaland
communications(electricalandfiberoptic)
conductors,equipmentandraceways,for
Public&privatepremises(homes,
residences,buildings,similarproperties)
inside
Loadsideofthedemarcationpoint
OutofScope(Exemption)=Exclusive
controlofUtility(Communications,
Power.)
NotaDesignManual
OSP NESC
Purpose =Thepracticalsafeguardingofpersons,utility
facilities,andaffectedpropertyduringtheinstallation,
operation,andmaintenanceofelectricsupplyand
communicationfacilities.
IEEE=ElectricalSafetyofPublicandWorkers
Scope coverssupplyandcommunicationfacilitiesand
associatedworkpracticesemployedbyaelectricsupply,
communications,orrailwayintheexerciseofitsfunctions
asautility.
Facilities=lines,equipment,andspecified
infrastructure(e.g.,poles,distributionplantsub
stations,vaults)
TheNESCcoverssimilarsystemsundertheexclusive
controloftheutilityandbeingworkedbyqualified
persons,suchasthoseassociatedwithanindustrial
complexorutilityinteractivesystem.
NotaDesignGuideorInstructionManual(*)
 NEC&NFPA70E

NEC=NFPA70
3yearrevisionschedule
August11,2016=Releaseof2017Code
AwaitingadoptionintolawbyPUCs,legislativesandregulations

NFPA70E
Newedition stillinprogressofworking
Consensusstandard
Workplacesafetyforprotectionagainstelectricalhazards
Electricalshocks
Arcflash

OtherCodes GO95,GO128,OSHA1910.269/1910.268,.generalworkrules
 NECRelevance

NEC Adoptedbymunicipalities,legislativebodies,utility
commissionsandotherAuthoritiesHavingJurisdiction(AHJ)
Unlikevoluntarystandards,NECcarriestheforceoflaw
Usedbyinspectorstoapproveelectricaland
communicationsinstallations
Impactsdailyactivitiesofcommunicationsutilitiesin
providingservicesaswellasmanufacturersproviding
communicationsproducts.
NECAdoption
June2015
 Representation

NEC=NFPA70
CorrelatingCommittee(CC)
3NECPanels(CMPs)
CMP1 PurposeandScope(Arts.90,100and110),
CMP5 Grounding(Arts.200,250,280and285),
CMP16 CommunicationsSystems(Arts.770,800,810,820,830and840),
NECCC OversightresponsibilityfortheentireCodemakingprocess,i.e.,ensuring
dueprocessandcorrelatingtheactions
MonitorotherPanel/Actions Panel12(Article645)
RelatedworkonotherNFPAStandards70E,72,75and76
 NEC areasofInterest

Introductionandninechapters
Article90,Introduction
Purpose,ScopeandCodeArrangement
Section90.2(B)(4)and90.2(B)5),Exemption
Section90.3,IndependenceofChapter8
Chapters1through4applygenerally
Electricalinstallations,wiringandprotection,grounding
Article100 Definitions,
Article110 GeneralInstallations(ArcFlashWarning 110.16)
Article250,GroundingandBonding(250.94IntersystemBonding)
Chapters5through7applytospecialoccupancies,equipment
Elevators,ITequipment,firealarmsystems,datacenters
Article645 InformationTechnologyEquipment(645.10(B) EPO)
Article690&691 PVsystems692Fuelcells694 Wind..
Article725 Class13,Remote,SignalingandPowerlimitedCircuits
Article770(FiberOptic)
 NEC areasofInterest

CodeArrangement(contd.)
Chapter8,CommunicationsSystems
Article800,CommunicationsCircuits (General)
Article810,RadioandTelevisionEquipment
Article820,CATVandRadioDistributionSystems
Article830,NetworkPoweredBroadbandCommunicationsSystems
Article840,PremisesPoweredBroadbandCommunicationsSystems
(Broadenedfor2017coderelease)
IndependentofChapters17,exceptwherespecificallyreferencedin
Chapter8Art.770 referencedinSection800.3
ParallelismandcrossreferencesbetweenSections/Articles
 RepriseofNECActionPlans

Support
IBT reviseddefinitionand250.94
AlignChapter8referenceswith
new250.94
Reviseddefinitionof
communicationsequipment
Article645changes support
proposedchanges
Oppose
TheexpansionoftheMechanical
executionofworkfromjust300.4(D)
toincludeallof300.4
OKin800840770?
ConsolidationofChapter8sections
POTS,CATV,FTTHaredifferent
deferredformoment
Noimpactfortelecom

Neutral=MonitorProgress
OKatmoment
NewTestandinspectionsection110.41 Moretocome
Reviseddefinitionofcommunicationsequipment Continuetomonitor
NewrevisedArticle840 doweneedhigherpowerlimits?
MonitorformismatchbetweenNECandNESCrules
 NEC(NFPA70)Highlights

NEC=NFPA70 3yrrevisionschedule 2017CodeissuedAugust11,2016

Exemption&scope(Article90) IndependencyofChapter8(Communications) retained/no
challenge
ArcFlashlabeling(Article110.16) necessaryPPEiselsewhere(70E,OSHA,NESC410A3,
IEEE)
Grounding(CMP5) IBTharmonizedwithChapter8
EGCforparallelcircuits(250.122F),
CommunicationsSystems(CMP16) Articles770,800,810,820,830and840
MechanicalExecutionof installationwork(770.24?)
CustomerPoweringofNetworks/circuits(new840.160problematic)
RevisedandexpandedArticle840toincludenotonlyFTTHbutalsoPoE and725.144,
60wattslimitfor840 goesto725.144otherwise(is60wattstoolow?)
DistributedEnergyGeneration(DEG)
Solarfarms(newArticle692) relationshipwithNESC)
RooftopsolarpanelsystemsremainunderArticle691
Article645(panel12) EmergencypowerOff(EPO) positive645.10rulechangeaffirmed.
RelatedworkonotherNFPAStandards70E,72,75and76
 Definitionof
CommunicationsEquipment

CommunicationsEquipmentclarified..
NECDefinitionofCommunicationsEquipment
Theelectronicequipmentthatperformsthetelecommunicationsoperationsforthetransmissionof
audio,video,anddata,andincludespowerequipment(e.g.,dcconverters,inverters,and
batteries),technicalsupportequipment(e.g.,computers),andconductorsdedicatedsolelytothe
operationoftheequipment.
InformationalNote:Asthetelecommunicationsnetworktransitionstoamoredatacentric
network,computers,routers,serversarebecomingessentialtothetransmissionofaudio,video,
anddataandarefindingincreasingapplicationsincommunicationsequipmentinstallations
PossibleFutureIssues
DifferentPoweringschemes
PoE,Gfast,customerpoweredservices?
Distributedpowergeneration batterybackupofindividualframes
DeviceswithintegratedPowerandcommunicationscapacity
Whichisprimaryfunction?
Whatareacceptablepowerlevels?
 CMP5 Article250.94
IntersystemBondingTermination

CMP5affirmsthatprimarypurposefortheIBTistoprovide
accessiblebondingpointfortelecomgroundwiththepower
groundandgroundelectrodesystem.
CMP16modifiedChapter8groundingreferencesand
harmonizedwithnew250.94 770.100(B),800.100(B),810.21(F),
820.100(B),&830.100(B)
Improved250.94 benefitsforcommunicationsproviders
250.94BondingforCommunication Systems=changetitletohighlightand
strengthentherationalethattheIBTisintendedtoprovideareliablecommon
bondingpointprimarilyforcommunicationscircuitstothepowerservicegrounding
conductorandthegroundingelectrodesystem.
Addanew250.94(B)thatprovidesanoptiontouseacopperbusbar asabonding
connectionpointifanIBTisnotreadilyavailable. As
communicationsfacilitiesareextendedandexpandedtoincludemanyother
buildingsandstructures,theabilitytousesuchabusbar asasurrogateIBTwillbe
usefulforbothcommunicationscompaniesandcustomers.
 CMP12Activities
Article645 ITEquipment

Revisionsto645.10 EmergencyPowerOff
Singleemergencydisconnectpotentiallyprovidesasingle
pointofmechanicalfailurethatincreasestheriskoffalse
shutdownandcan,throughhumanerrororcriminalintent
(sabotage,terroristicthreat),shutdowntheentiredata
centerresultingindisruptionofnormalbusiness
activity.

MovetodeleteentireArticle645.10 Rejected
Changequalifiedtoknowledgeablepersonnel Rejected
Newlanguagethatdoesnotrequirepersontobeonsite24/7and
providesmoreflexibilityforworkscheduleandpersonnelmanagement.
ACCEPTED reaffirmedfor2017code
 RevisedArticle645.10

(B)CriticalOperationsDataSystems.Remotedisconnectingcontrolsshallnot
berequiredforcriticaloperationsdatasystemswhenallofthefollowing
conditionsaremet:
(1) Anapprovedprocedurehasbeenestablishedand
maintainedforremovingpowerandairmovementwithinthe
roomorzone.
(2) Qualifiedpersonnelarecontinuouslyavailabletomeet
advise emergencyrespondersandtoadvise instruct themof
disconnectingmethods.
(3) Asmokesensingfiredetectionsystemisinplace.
InformationalNote: Forfurtherinformation,seeNFPA72,
NationalFireAlarmandSignalingCode.
 CMP16 Mechanical
ExecutionofWork

1. Installedinaneatandworkmanlikemanner.
2. Installedinamannerthatthecablewillnotbedamagedby
normalbuildinguse
3. ToConformto300.4(D) alertstheinstalleraboutwhencables,conduitsorracewaysare
attachedtoframingmembersandprovidesguidanceonwheretoplacecablessoasnottobe
likelytobedamagedbynailsorscrews.Thesearereasonableprecautionswhichwillapply
moreofteninanopenbasementorinaGreenfieldconstructionswherethebuildingenvelope
orwallshavenotclosed(i.e.,sheetrocknotplaced).300.4(D)issufficientandadequate.
4. ToConformto300.11
300.11(A) Securedinplace=helpensurecablesaresecurelyfastened
300.11(B)defineslimitsforusingracewaysasmeansofsupport
300.11(C) clarifiesthatcablesshallnotusedasmeansofsupport
800.24820.24830.44840.24arecoordinatedandconfirmtotheaboveobjectives.830.24for
NetworkPoweredsystemsincludes300.4(A),(D),(E),(F)and300.11basedonpossiblepower
levelsinconductors.
770.24ismisalignedwithChapter8Articles Revisionsfor2017codewererejectedresultingina
returnto2014codetextwhereitincorrectlyexpandsthereferencetoallof300.4The
requirementsofallof300.4areappropriateforpowerwiring,notopticalfibercables.
 NewArticle840

ExpansionofArticle840tocoverPoweroverEthernet(PoE)andotherservices
thatusetwistedpairandcoaxialcablesaswellasopticalfibercable,
Scope:Thisarticlecoverspremisespowered broadbandcommunications
systems.
InformationalNoteNo.1:Atypicalbasicsystemconfigurationconsistsofan
opticalfiber,twistedpairorcoaxialcabletothepremisessupplyinga
broadbandsignaltoanetworkterminalthatconvertsthebroadbandsignalinto
componentelectricalsignals,suchastraditionaltelephone,video,highspeed
internet,andinteractiveservices.Poweringforthenetworkterminal and
networkdevicesistypicallyaccomplishedthroughapremisespowersupplythat
mightbebuiltintothenetworkterminalorprovidedasaseparateunit.Inorder
toprovidecommunicationsintheeventofapowerinterruption,abattery
backupunitoranuninterruptiblepowersupply(UPS)istypicallypartofthe
poweringsystem.
Concernsassociatedwithsafelypoweringpremisesequipment(PoE)overcables
traditionallyviewedascarryingonlylowvoltage,lowcurrentsignalswere
addressedbyrevisions.
LPcablecategory TypesCMPLP,CMRLPorCMLP
 NewArticle840
.cont.

Article840 2017codewillreference
Article770foropticalfibercables
Article800forcommunicationscircuits
Article820forcommunityantenna&radiocircuits,
Article725forClass2,Class3,andlimitedpowercircuits
Article760forpowerlimitedfirealarmcircuits.
NumerousrevisionsaremadethroughouttheArticleto
accommodatetheintroductionoftwistedpairandcoaxialcables.
NewSectionstoprovidelistingrequirementsforequipment,the
powersource,andcables,andgroundingdevices.
Mainlythroughparallelsectionsandcrossreferencestoother
Chapter8ArticlesandSections
LimitedPower(newSection840.160) Systemsarelimitedtoa
maximumof60WattsforArticle840toapply.
 NewArticle840
.cont.

LimitedPower(newSection840.160) Systemsarelimitedtoa
maximumof60WattsforArticle840toapply.
840.160PoweringCircuits.Communicationscables,inadditiontocarrying
thecommunicationscircuit,shallalsobepermittedtocarrycircuitsfor
poweringcommunicationsequipment.Wherethepowersuppliedovera
communicationscabletocommunicationsequipmentisgreaterthan60
watts,communicationscablesandthepowercircuitshallcomplywith
725.144wherethecommunicationscablesareusedinplaceofClass2and
class3cables.
ForhigherpowerthenArticle725.144applies.
Concernswerearoundoverheatingofinsulationsandconductorsin
cablebundleswheremultiplepoweringcircuitsarepresentsuchas
couldbefoundinlargerServerfacilitiesorDataCenters.

Note:therearestillapplicablePowerLimitationsrequirementsfoundinTable
11ofChapter9includingthetraditional100VAlimit
 CMP16
OtherActivities

IntersystemBondingTerminationand250.94 Harmonization
Retentionofpermissiontouse5ftcommunicationsgroundrod
inArticles770,800and830
PointofEntrance Clarifications Coordinatedchangesbetween
Article100Definitionsandsubsections48in770andChapter8
(e.g.,770.48/800.48.840.48)
50footRule AllowancesforthepenetrationofOSPcable
(Unlisted)intoabuilding.
Addedrollingspheretheoryoflightningexposure.
correlateswithNFPA780(inArticle810forantennamasts)
Consolidate parallelSectionsofChapter8
and770intoasingleSection800
rejected
 StorageBatteries

Forthe2017Code,allbatterieswillbecoveredin
Article480regardlessofchemistry.
Article706willreferenceArticle480forbatteriesor
requirethemtobelisted.Thismaychangegoing
forwardtothe2020Code.
WorkRulesinandaround
Newbattery/energystoragesystems
Distributedenergygeneration/storage
NEC.NFPA70E.NESC
Corodination withotherNFPAdocuments
 FutureCodeIssues

Futurecodes fasterresponsetoemergingtechnologiesto
enablecodeskeepupwithrapidtechnologicalchange
PossibleWideruseofTIAs
Onlinetoolsandinternetdeliveryofcodesandservices
Distributed/Alternatesourcesofenergy wind,solar,microgrids,etc.
SmartGridDevices jointpowerandcommunicationsfunctions
Interconnectionhardware
Power primarysupplyandbackupreserves
Batteriesandotherenergystoragedevices reliability,safety,workrule
around
Codedemarcationdelineateresponsibility
OSHAvsNESCvsNEC70E.Mm
NECvsNESCvscustomerpremises/proprietary
Linesidevsloadside..Spanpowering
Riskmanagement workrules Arcflash,PPE
Congestion onstructuresandinundergroundandonCustomerPremises
NetworkResiliency designvssafety CompetingViewsfromEngineers(Design/Plan)
StatisticiansRiskManagement Meteorologists Regulators AHJs
Safetycodeasopposedtoadesignmanualorengineeringtoolformakingareliable
resilientnetwork
 FutureCodeIssues

TherearetwoimportantNECtaskgroupsunderway:

1. TheMembershipTaskGroupisreviewingpossiblerealigningofmembersandpanel
workloads.Telcordia NIS(E.Gallo)isamemberofthistaskgroup
2. ThePoE TaskgroupislookingatArticle840.160and725lookingatpossiblerevisions
througheitheraTIAormorelikelytosubmitchangestothe2020NEC.Telcordia NIS
(E.Gallo)istheChairofthistaskgroupand(J.Brunssen)istaskgroupmember.
 NFPA70E

TheNationalFireProtectionAssociationCode(NFPA)Standard70E,titled
StandardforElectricalSafetyintheWorkplace,istheconsensusstandard
recognizedbyOSHA.Thisstandardisacompilationoftechnical
provisionsdesignedtoprotectemployeesfromexposuretoelectrical
hazards,suchasarcflashandshockhazards.Telecommunicationfacilities
areconsideredaworkplace.
Schedule RevisionCycle:
ReportPostingDate:1/16/2017
MotionsCommitteeReport(NITMAM)
MotionsCommitteeReport(NITMAM)
NITMAMClosingDate:2/20/2017
NITMAMPostingDate:4/17/2017
 70E WhatsCovered

NFPA70EStandardforElectricalSafetyintheWorkplace isrelatedtothe
NationalElectricalCode (NFPA70)asfollows:
TheNationalElectricalCode(NEC)describeshowtodesignandinstall
electricalsystemsbutnothowtoactuallyperformthework.
Section110.16intheNECisintendedtowarnqualifiedpersonsofthehazard
ofarcflashandisamajorsteptowardincreasingtheawarenessofthis
potentialforinjuryanddeath.Additionally,thefineprintnote(FPN)to
Section110.16referencesNFPA 70EandisacruciallinkbetweentheNECand
NFPA70E.
NFPA70Edescribessafeworkpracticesforelectricalconstructionand
maintenancebutnothowtodesignorinstallelectricalsystems.
Thetwodocuments(NECandNFPA70E)haveidenticalscopesandmanyof
thesamedefinition.Theybothcoverinsidewiringinbuildingsandsimilar
structures.Neitherofthemcoversutility(line)constructionwhichwouldbe
coveredbytheNationalElectricSafetyCode(NESC).
 WhatsCovered

NFPA70ECoversElectricalHazardsOnly
NFPA70Edescribeshowtoprotectworkersfromthreekindsofelectrical
hazards:
Electricshockandelectrocution
Arcflash(electricalfireball)
Arcblast(electricalexplosionathighenergylevels)
TheNFPA70Estandardcoverselectricalhazardsanddoesntcoverother
constructionhazardssuchasfallprotection,safeuseofladdersand
scaffolds,hazardoussubstances,andrespirators.Theseothersubjects
arecoveredbyOSHAconstructionsafetyregulationsandtheNESC.
 NFPA70ESignificance

ItisimportanttonotethatNFPA70E,isaseriesofguidelinesratherthanlaws.
TheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAdministration(OSHA),ontheotherhand,isa
regulatorybody.OSHAsregulationsforworkerhealthandsafetyarewritteninTitle29of
theCodeofFederalRegulations(29CFR).OSHAdoesnotenforceNFPA70E,andNFPA
70Eisnotincorporatedin29CFR,yetemployerscanbecitedfornotfollowingthe
standard.

Itisimportanttonote thataswiththeNEC,NFPA70EwouldalsocomeundertheNEC
ExceptionofArticle90thatitwouldnotapplyinareasundertheexclusivecontrolofthe
utility.However,OSHAwouldhaveenforcementauthorityundergeneralworkrulearea.
Themorepertinentareasof70Eforcommunicationserviceproviders,arefocusedonthe
informationin70Eabouttheeffectsofarcflash,arcblast,anddirectcurrent(dc)
hazards,alongwithrecentprotectiontrendsanddevelopmentsinelectricaldesignand
PersonalProtectiveEquipment(PPE).
 70ECoverage

70Erequiresthat,whenworkingonornearexposedenergizedcircuits,safetyrelated
workpractices shallbeusedtosafeguardemployeesfrominjurywhiletheyareworking
onornearexposedelectricconductorsorcircuitpartsthatareorcanbecomeenergized.
Thespecificsafetyrelatedworkpracticeshallbeconsistentwiththenatureandextentof
theassociatedelectrichazards.Theseworkpracticesshallincludewearingprotective
clothingandotherpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)whenworkingwiththeflash
protectionboundary.
Anarcflashhazardanalysisshallbedoneinordertoprotectpersonnelfromthe
possibilityofbeinginjuredbyanarcflash.
TheflashhazardanalysisshalldeterminetheFlashProtectionBoundaryandthepersonal
protectiveequipmentthatpeoplewithintheFlashProtectionBoundaryshalluse.
 Ericsson

70ECoverage

70Ealsoprovidessomedescriptionsassociatedwithworkingdistances,orboundaries,withrespect
tobeingaqualifiedversusunqualifiedperson.Theseboundariesareasfollows:
FlashProtectionBoundary Thedistanceatwhichtheincidentenergyfromthelivepartisequal
to1.2cal/cm2,thelimitforaseconddegreeburnonbareskin.Personsmustnotcrossthis
boundaryunlesstheyarewearingappropriatepersonalprotectiveclothingandareunderclosethe
supervisionofaqualifiedperson.
LimitedApproach Thedistanceatwhichbarriersshouldbeplacedtoprotectunqualified
personnelfromanelectricalhazard.Onlyqualifiedpersonsandescortedunqualifiedpersonsare
allowedtoenteralimitedspace.
RestrictedApproach Thedistanceatwhichonlyqualifiedpersonnelareallowedwithappropriate
protectiveclothingandpersonalprotectiveequipmentfortheassociatedhazard.Nounauthorized
conductivematerialandnounqualifiedpersonsarepermittedtocrossarestrictedboundary.
Further,adocumentedandmanagementapprovedplanisrequiredtoenterarestrictedspace.
ProhibitedApproach Thedistanceatwhichqualifiedpersonnelshouldnotintroducegrounded
equipmentormaterialnotinsulatedforthevoltageratingduetothepossibilityofflashover.A
documentedandmanagementapprovedriskanalysisandplanarerequiredtoenteraprohibited
space.
 NFPA70Eissues

Themajorconcernatthelastmeetingrelativetotheuseof70Eby
telecommunicationserviceproviderswasproposedchangestoTABLE130.4(C)(b)
aroundthe50Vdc vs100Vdc baselinecriteriadebate
Actualversusnominalvoltages
Operationalversuschargingvoltages
100Vdc vs50Vdc..60Vdc vs50Vdc
Thecurrentpublishedversionlistsdcsystemsunder50Vdc assafeandincludes
requirementsforsystemsabove50Vdc.Thissectiondoesnotnotenominal50Vdc,
sowhileatypicaltelecommunicationfacilityis48Vdc,anAHJcanclaimthatthe
floatvoltagecanbeashighas56Vdc sothecommunicationsfacilityisconsidered
higherthan50Vdc.
Thatcouldleadtorequirementsofguards,useofpersonalprotectiveequipment
whenworkingonatypical48Vdcsystem.Thiswouldnotresultinadditionalsafety
andcouldresultinundueburdens.
ElectricalWorkersafety ArcFlash itbecomesaRisk/HazardAssessmentconcern
forCommunicationsjobactivities
Ingeneral,riskassessmentsofcommunicationsworkerjobsfindslowminimalriskinnormalwork
activitiesfollowingusualbestpracticesandprocedures
AlsocoveredinNESCWorkRules(Part4 Rule410A3
 Thanksfor
YourAttention

ErnieGallo
Telcordia NetworkInfrastructureSolutions(NIS)
ernest.gallo@ericsson.com
7327543474

31