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No More ‘Run It Until It Fails’: NEC rules for maintaining electrical equipment

By Michael Johnston | Oct 15, 2024
NFPA 70: 2023 National Electrical Code cover
The word “maintenance” appears in the National Electrical Code over 275 times. It is logical to surmise that the Code covers these requirements for equipment, installations and systems.

The word “maintenance” appears in the National Electrical Code over 275 times. It is logical to surmise that the Code covers these requirements for equipment, installations and systems. Starting in Article 90, specifically Section 90.2(B), the term is mentioned, but not as a requirement.

An appropriate and justified revision for the NEC would be to incorporate “maintenance” in Section 90.2(C)(3). There are several mandatory requirements for maintaining certain systems throughout the NEC, which makes this a logical revision, especially those in Chapter 7 such as in articles 700, 701, 705, 706, 708 and so forth.

In the latest edition, a new rule addressing equipment maintenance was incorporated in Article 110. Section 110.17 is titled Servicing and Maintenance of Equipment. By definition, the word “equipment” is pretty encompassing, which must be kept in mind when dealing with this topic. 

Section 110.17 clearly does not generally require servicing and maintenance of equipment across the entire NEC, but it does direct how it should be performed and specific qualifications of those performing servicing and maintenance. This rule also addresses following manufacturer’s maintenance instructions and replacement parts that must be used.

The term “qualified person” is used in this rule. It is defined as “one who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.” 

What is not mentioned, but perhaps is implied, is that qualifications must include specific training and experience necessary for the specific task, equipment or installation. Notice that 110.17 rules require specific training for the equipment involved. This often necessitates more than just minimum competencies or achieving a blanket certification.

Remember, one may be qualified and trained for certain tasks and equipment, but not for others. Everyone’s qualifications are different. 

Let’s drill down into the workings of the NEC regarding required maintenance and servicing.

The NECand other electrical standards must correlate and work together to achieve desired installation, maintenance and workplace safety results. They are very much dependent on one another for their effectiveness in the field.

In “The Trilogy of Electrical Standards,” (ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, March 2024), I wrote that service and maintenance are not new to the electrical industry but have flown under the NEC radar for years. Additional adjustments must be made regarding application of the revised NFPA 70B, Standard for Maintaining Electrical Equipment, and NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Service and maintenance are key elements and functions addressed in both of those standards. 

The “run it until it fails” philosophy is not an acceptable approach for sustainable business operations and facilities. The NEC and other electrical standards must correlate and work together to achieve desired installation, maintenance and workplace safety results. They are very much dependent on one another for their effectiveness in the field.

Mandatory requirements

A mandatory maintenance requirement is found in Section 700.3, which addresses requirements for maintenance and periodic testing. This section requires an operational witness test by the AHJ and testing periodically to ensure proper operating condition. The main requirement for maintaining the emergency system equipment is found in Section 700.3(C), which requires maintenance, and 700.3(D), which requires a written record of testing and maintenance. Note that Section 700.3(A) requires commissioning and testing of the complete emergency system after installation, and periodic operational testing thereafter. The electrical contractor is typically involved up to the point of acceptance testing that meets the requirements in 700.3(A). Who performs the periodic testing thereafter is variable.

From an electrical contractor’s perspective, the service and maintenance rules in the codes and standards help owners implement preventive maintenance and service programs. The objective is that a facility’s electrical power system is maintained to avoid downtime and losses due to interruption of service.

While many still roll the dice regarding adequate electrical equipment maintenance, today it seems that far more business owners and property managers are educated about its benefits. It is far better to have a planned outage of known duration (for service and maintenance) than to suffer an unplanned outage of unknown duration. Neglecting equipment service and maintenance is often directly related to outages and service interruptions.

These are business possibilities for electrical contractors that may be under a traditional “installation only” business model. Opportunities are there for those that may be inclined to expand their services.

About The Author

A man, Mike Johnston, in front of a gray background.

Michael Johnston

NECA Executive Director of Codes and Standards (retired)

JOHNSTON, who retired as NECA’s executive director of codes and standards in 2023, is a former member and chair of NEC CMP-5 and immediate past chair of the NEC Correlating Committee. Johnston continues to serve on the NFPA Standards Council and the UL Electrical Council. Reach him at [email protected].

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