The National Electrical Code includes requirements to ground electrical systems. It also contains information regarding electrical systems that are prohibited from being grounded and those systems that are permitted to be—but not required to be—grounded. If an electrical system is grounded as a requirement or by choice, all the rules related to grounded systems must be applied.

Many recommendations and preventive measures are being implemented to keep the workforce safe and protect employees and the public from the coronavirus. A lot of these carry over into our personal lives.

The construction of a fiber optic cable plant is a complicated process that often involves heavy equipment, rights of way and avoiding other utilities. How well do you know the processes involved in fiber optic cable plant construction?

How do you determine whether an electrical contractor’s safety program is a success? Test yourself on some of the key indicators.

While May is recognized as Electrical Safety Month, everyone should always practice safety when working with or around electrical circuits and equipment. Ensure proper ground prongs are in place and not removed from attachment plugs. Don’t swim around docks and marinas where electrical shock hazards could be present in the water. Test your safety know-how.

Proper material selection has never been more critical for electrical needs with power over ethernet installations increasing and fire alarm cabling protecting life and property. You also need to know how to install safely.

In my last quiz, I challenged your knowledge on fiber optic testing. Fiber optic test results are usually expressed in decibels (dB), a term that can be very confusing. Do you understand decibels, and do you know how to interpret test data expressed in decibels?

Ensuring proper selection, use and implementation of personal protective equipment (PPE) safeguards workers as a last line of defense—following elimination, substitution, engineering controls and administrative controls according to the hierarchy of risk control methods. How familiar are you with the details of PPE?

Article 770 and Chapter 8 of the National Electrical Code apply to fiber optic cables and communications systems. Chapter 8 covers communications systems and is not subject to the requirements of Chapters 1 through 7, except where they are referenced in Chapter 8.

Do you think the requirements for inspecting and testing fire alarms and fire sprinklers are the same? Do you know the different requirements between NFPA 25 and NFPA 72?

When the project is finished, the installer should present the project manager a book or flash drive of test results along with a summary in the documentation package on the cable plant. The manager must review the data and decide if the installation was done properly. Do you know how to analyze the data and make that decision?

The beginning of the year is always a good time to brush up on your safety knowledge. If you miss an answer, take the time to refresh what you know before the year gets started. Here’s hoping you have an injury-free 2020. Answers are on page 95.

How well do you know the installation and testing requirements for duct smoke detectors? This quiz is based on the 2019 NFPA 72, 2018 NFPA 90A and 2018 International Building Code (IBC).

As indicated in Section 90.3, chapters 1 through 4 apply generally but can be modified or amended by the provisions in chapters 1 through 7. This Code quiz challenges readers with questions related to various special occupancies.

The responsibility for the success or failure of any project ultimately lies with the project manager. The project manager depends on their supervisors and workers to do the work correctly, but how do they know it’s done right, if they don’t understand the technology and processes?

Safer, more comfortable tools that help workers be more productive are introduced regularly. While ergonomics may not be included in final OSHA rules, ergonomically designed tools limit stress on the body and help prevent acute and chronic injuries. Test your knowledge about the safety features of your tools?

Chapter 3 of the National Electrical Code provides rules related to wiring methods and materials, specifically the electrical wiring of branch circuits and feeders installed in premises wiring systems. Article 300 provides the general requirements while the other articles contain rules specifically related to wiring methods. How well do you know Chapter 3?

This quiz is based on the requirements of NFPA 72, 2019 edition.

Two recent emphasis programs that OSHA has initiated are Trench Safety and Fall Protection. These are enforcement strategies designed and implemented at the regional and area office levels. With the recent increase in excavation and fall incidents around the country, let’s review a few important requirements.

Data centers and wireless networks are two of the largest and fastest growing fiber optic applications. Both are rapidly evolving to meet customer needs. What’s your knowledge of today’s data centers? Answers are on page 103. To take the quiz electronically, visit ecmag.com.