In part 3 of this series in which we review major changes to the 2027 edition of NFPA 70E, the primary focus is on Chapter 3, Safety Requirements for Special Equipment. Chapter 2 had only a few minor changes.

Need to catch up on this series? Read part 1 and part 2 now.

Chapter 2, Safety-Related Maintenance Requirements

Chapter 2 contained mostly editorial changes and minor revisions, with one notable exception. The text “safety-related” was added to the scope of each article in the chapter. This change is to emphasize that the specific maintenance requirements identified are safety-related.

Chapter 3, Safety Requirements for Special Equipment

Chapter 3 has been reorganized to improve usability. Some articles were relocated and renamed and new articles were added. The goal was to make Chapter 3 easier to navigate by locating articles regarding electrical hazards first, followed by the articles regarding safety-related work practices. 

While the entire organization of Chapter 3 has changed, below are only the articles that have changes. 

Article 300, Introduction was revised to better define employer and employee responsibilities. Similar to other articles in NFPA 70E, the employer is responsible for safety-related work practices and employee training on the applicable material covered in Chapter 3. The employee shall follow those work practices. 

Article 310, Direct Current (DC) Electrical Hazards consolidates DC electrical hazard thresholds that require implementing risk control into one location. They were previously found throughout Chapter 3. Electrical hazard thresholds include contact thermal hazards, electric shock hazards and arc flash hazards. 

Article 320, Capacitor Electrical Hazards: Capacitor electrical hazards have been relocated from previous Article 360 to new Article 320. In addition to editorial changes, three new thresholds were added to the existing stored energy thresholds, including for the arc flash hazard, hearing acoustic hazard and lung collapse acoustic hazard. 

Additional language was added to clarify that this article applies to conventional capacitors and does not apply to super­capacitors (EDLCs), which are in Article 370. 

In addition, the language regarding shorting wires was revised and language on approved engineered discharge path was added. 

Article 330, Electrical Hazards 1 Hz to 110 MHz Excluding DC and 50/60 Hz Safety-­Related Work Practices: Lasers, from the 2024 edition, was deleted since there were no specific hazards or requirements not already covered in other articles. 

Article 330 was renamed and contains material previously located in Article 340, Safety-Related Work Practices Power Electronic Equipment. It addresses electrical hazards from 1 Hz to 110 MHz, not including typical 50- and 60-Hz power frequencies. An additional requirement was added for workers to be trained to identify and protect themselves from electromagnetic field hazards.

Article 340, Reserved is intended for electrical hazards involving mixed frequencies. 

Article 350, Safety-Related Work Practices for Electrolytic Cells was relocated from Article 310. Revisions consisted of editorial changes to address the NEC Style Manual requirements. 

Article 360, Safety-Related Requirements for Batteries was significantly expanded and was relocated from Article 320. Since batteries cannot be “de-­energized,” Article 360 takes the approach of “establishing a lower risk work condition.” This includes an emphasis on battery sectionalizing principles, equipment and procedures as well as elements of risk control. Sectionalizing separates large battery strings into smaller segments to reduce risk. 

Article 370, Safety-Related Work Practices for Electrical Double Layer Capacitors: This new article addresses electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs), which are a category of supercapacitors with properties of capacitors and electrochemical cells. EDLCs can store significant energy. Article 370 introduces specific methods for personal safety and methods for establishing an electrically safe work condition. 

Article 380, Safety-Related Work Practices for Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: This new article addresses the electrical safety requirements for practical safeguarding of employees while working on PV arrays. Article 380 addresses exposure levels that, when exceeded, require risk-control measures from the hierarchy of risk controls. The new article also addresses qualified people and their training as well as PV risk assessment and specific work procedures. 

Article 390, Safety-Related Work Requirements for Research and Development Laboratories: Article 350 regarding R&D laboratories was relocated to Article 390, with minor editorial changes. 

Part 4

My review of changes to the 2027 NFPA 70E will address Article 100 Definitions, major changes to Annex K and new Annex T, EDLC Characteristics in November. As always, this article is based on my views and does not represent an official position of the NFPA.

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