Jim Phillips

This article begins a series in which I dive deep into the details of the newly published 2018 Edition of IEEE 1584—IEEE Guide for performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations. This standard is used globally for calculating the...

The arc flash hazard should be an integral part of any electrical safety training program. NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584 and several other standards address this hazard in terms of incident energy with the severity normally quantified...

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...

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”...

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.”...

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.”...

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...

“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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...