Electrical Power Study
What is an electrical power study?
An electrical power study is a comprehensive look at several important aspects of the total electrical infrastructure. The study is an analysis of the equipments reliability, equipment safety, and personnel work hazard/risk evaluation.
What are the important aspects of a power study?
- Electrical utility data (e.g. mega volt amps (MVA), Single line to line (SLG) & Single line to ground (SLG) short circuit amps)
- Electrical equipment data collection (e.g. Circuit breaker settings, fuse type)
- Creation of a one-line drawing (This provides a model of the electrical infrastructure and is the base for understanding the system)
- Protective device coordination study (The sequence and how quickly your system responds to a short circuit fault greatly reduces what is referred to as IE or incident energy produced by the electrical fault.)
- Equipment duty study (This study determines if the protective devices are capable of withstanding the occurrence of fault currents within the device)
- Arc flash study (The study evaluates the incident energy (IE) released during a fault in heat that can instantly burn or ignite clothing of workers within the arc flash boundary (AFB). The study also is used to determine personal protective clothing (PPE) to protect the worker.
- Labeling equipment (The placement of labels provides the worker information involving the hazard, IE and PPE when working on the equipment)
- Finial executive documentation (This compiles all the study data in a binder format.)
Is the study required by law?
No, the detailed study is not required. However, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has published 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace which is recognized by the US governments Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) as the authority in electrical safety. Many companies have met or are working towards the NFPA guidelines for working safely with electricity. OSHA has cited companies using references to NFPA 70E mostly under what is called the OSHA "General Duty Clause". A detailed study involves a great amount of time consuming work and is a large expense to companies. Many companies have marginally completed the study to give the appearance of being compliant with NFPA 70E standards.
If the electrical study is done nothing else needs to be done?
Documentation and training is the next big task that can be started before, during and after the power study has been completed.
What type of documentation may be helpful?
There are several variations of documents associated and used to enhance an electrical safety program but we will identify only a few of those documents.
o Job Safe Work Practices (JSP) or Standard Work Practices (SWP) can be a tool to standardize task or specific work therefore, safer work ethics.
o Electrical Safe Work Practices (ESWP) each company has its own obstacles to overcome. A document which explains the companies safe work practices including any special practices or precautions should be created in detail.
o Electrical Work Permits (EWP) is a necessary document for hot or energized work that company management must sign off on prior to working hot.
o Hazard/Risk Evaluation Worksheets is a form that can be completed to determine if a task requires increased awareness and specific precautions or PPE.
o Power Point Instructional Training Presentations, can be developed in enhance training.
o Training Documentation should include date, training type, description, names and signatures.
o Qualified Worker Training documentation, this is a training document showing proof that the workers has visually be observed and instructed on working safely on specific equipment while energized and signed that they understand the hazards and received training on working safely.
o Arc Flash or Power Study Finial Executive Document, is a critical document developed either by a consultant or a knowledgeable employee that details all aspects of the electrical power study and final results.
Can Commonwealth Business Solutions help with documentation?
Yes, CBS has the experience in developing technical documents by using the customers format or we can develop the document using our format and may even provide the documentation without even being at the customers site. We accomplish this by using electronic files and communication to exceed the customer expectations in delivery time and quality.
Need arc flash documentation templates?
We can provide the customer with professional templates designed to meet the specfications or format required by the customer or purchase our generic templates in MS Word or MS Excel, MS Powerpoint and do your own editing.
What should be the role of safety professionals in creating electrical safety policys?
Many safety managers understand electrical safety basic theory in large companies. However, no safety or human relations (HR) professional should develop policies and guidelines without the assistance of a knowledgeable electrical professional.
If the company has the knowledgeable qualified electrical workers and engineering staff the two groups should meet and come to a consensus on policies and procedures that should protect the worker. Improper policy and procedures may and often does create hazardous conditions for the qualified worker. Conservative safety managers may decide to greatly overprotect and over complicate the task in a manner that may stage the qualified worker for an accident. Management alone needs to be aware they may not have the skills required to make informed decisions in this area. If your company has limited knowledgeable qualified electrical personnel we can consult with you to prepare the necessary policies and procedures.
Policy and procedures should be balanced for all workers to be protected. Too many rules can lead to worker frustration, fatigue and anxiety. The lack of proper policy and procedures may lead to unsafe work conditions and OSHA violations. CBS can help maintain the balance of policy and procedures increasing safe practices, improved worker attitude and proficiency.
Six Sigma approach to Arc Flash Analysis
Martin is a Six Sigma Greenbelt that has the training to make conclusions based on statistical data. Martin will be publishing a document soon on how to complete a comprehensive electrical power study using six sigma tools. A link will be published to this page when it is completed.
Commonwealth Business Solutions, LLC Lawrenceburg, KY 40342
(502) 680-5346