Jim Phillips

Arc Flash Columnist

Jim Phillips, P.E., founder of www.brainfiller.com and www.ArcFlashForum.com, conducts training programs globally and is the author of the book “Complete Guide to Arc Flash Hazard Calculation Studies.” He is Vice Chair of the IEEE 1584 Arc Flash Working Group and International Chair of IEC TC78 Live Working.

IEEE 1584: The Next Edition

Jim Phillips

An old Grateful Dead lyric sums up the last 16 years of developing the next edition of IEEE 1584, IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations: “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” Truer words have never been...

Safety

Jul 2018

More Than Burns: Lesser-Known Arc Flash Hazards

Jim Phillips

Mention arc flash and thoughts often turn toward extreme heat, burn injury and arc-rated clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, an arc flash has nonthermal hazards as well. Intense light The word “flash”...

Safety

May 2018

Raising Awareness: National Electrical Safety Month

Jim Phillips

According to the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E, the definition of electrical safety is “identifying hazards associated with the use of electrical energy and taking precautions to reduce the risk associated with those hazards.”...

Safety

Mar 2018

Verifying Absence of Voltage: Two New Exceptions for the 2018 NFPA 70E

Jim Phillips

One of the many new additions to the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E is the term “priority,” which states, “105.4, Priority: Hazard elimination shall be the first priority in the implementation of safety-related work practices.”...

Codes & Standards

Jan 2018

Watch: 2018 NFPA 70E Updates and Changes

Jim Phillips

In our May 2017 issue, Jim Phillips laid out the significant changes to NFPA 70E for the 2018 edition. Now, he's back with a video walkthrough of the significant changes. Watch below to learn about the major changes to the...

Safety

Jan 2018

Let Go!

Jim Phillips

“Let go” current is the magnitude of current that causes muscles to involuntarily contract—i.e., your fingers will close and lock onto the conductor. If nothing breaks the current path, such as the tripping of a ground-fault...

Codes & Standards

Nov 2017

No Details Required! (Maybe): Arc Flash Labels

Jim Phillips

Life is full of surprises, and so is the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E. After years of requiring specific information on arc flash equipment labels, as listed in 130.5(H1) through (H3), the 2018 edition has introduced Exception No...

Safety

Sep 2017

Called 'Informative' On Purpose: 2018 NFPA 70E Annexes

Jim Phillips

A significant number of pages in the 2018 edition of NFPA 70E are devoted to 17 informative annexes. Although technically not part of the mandatory text, these pages can be an important source of additional information and...

Safety

Jul 2017

Training 101

Jim Phillips

It finally happened. You have been asked to provide a short training program for your company’s staff. Whether it is about electrical safety, the latest National Electrical Code or any one of an infinite number of topics,...

Safety

May 2017

What's New? What's Changed? 2018 NFPA 70E Update

Jim Phillips

Around 2,500 years ago, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with the saying, “The only thing that is constant is change.” Who knew this ancient proverb would apply to NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the...

Safety

Mar 2017

Line In The Sand: The 40 Calories Per Square Centimeter Dilemma 

Jim Phillips

It’s the same old story. An arc flash study was just completed, and the calculated incident energy exceeds 40 calories per square centimeter (cal/cm2) in many locations. When this happens, people often just shake their head...

Safety

Jan 2017

Additional Guidance: ANSI Z535.4 and Arc Flash Labels 

Jim Phillips

Requirements for arc flash labels are addressed in NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, and NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC). To provide additional guidance for the labels, NFPA 70E references the...