Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Protection and the NFPE 70E 2012 Edition
The National Fire Protection Association Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace is revised every three years, in order to ensure the utmost safety of workers. One of the changes in the 2012 edition was the introduction of a new section referring to Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Protection, Article 110.4 section C.
Ground fault interrupters break a circuit when there is a difference between the currents in the "hot" and neutral wires. The difference in current means that current from the "hot" wire is being diverted. This can happen if a person comes into contact with the "hot" wire and is being shocked. A typical circuit breaker will trip at 20 amps, but a current of as little as 100 milliamps can actually electrocute a person in some circumstances. GFCIs are designed to detect currents of just a few milliamps, and to trip a breaker to cut off the electricity.
“Electrical shock causes hundreds of deaths every year,” according to the owner of Leedy Electric, John Leedy. “Many fatalities occur when people are working on equipment energized at 120 volts”. GFCIs are an important precaution for electric equipment used in damp conditions, where wet hands could become an electrical conductor.”
The new section of the NFPE 70E dealing with GFCIs specifies that GFPI protection is required when employees work outdoors with 125 volt, 15-, 20-, or 30-ampere circuits cord-and-plug equipment. The chance of outdoor conditions causing a serious electrical hazard is reduced by an immediate interruption of the current.
The text of the new section is below:
(C) Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter (GFCI) Protection.
(1) General. Employees shall be provided with ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) protection where required by applicable state, federal, or local codes and standards. Listed cord sets or devices incorporating listed GFCI protection for personnel identified for portable use shall be permitted.
(2) Outdoors. GFCI protection shall be provided when an employee is outdoors and operating or using cord-and-plug-connected equipment supplied by 125-volt, 15-, 20-, or 30-ampere circuits. Where employees working outdoors operate or use equipment supplied by other than 125-volt, 15-, 20-, or 30-ampere circuits, an assured equipment grounding conductor program shall be implemented.
Leedy Electric helps companies protect workers by analyzing hazards and providing training to assure compliance with NFPE 70E. Visit leedyelectric.com for more information about Leedy Electric and the NFPE 70E 2012.
