ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Lack of Maintenance and Unqualified Persons—Their Impact on Electrical Installations

Maintenance is a subject worthy of it's own seminar. This is something that goes well beyond a simple codebook or handbook.

The electrician installing the equipment has to understand the application, and design for it- not merely do as little for as cheap aspossible. Clear communication, and an ongoing relationship, with the customer is essential.

The maintenance guys have to understand that there are reasons we do things the way we do them. When they have to "get clever," there is usually a reason; that reason must be apparrent to the electrician when he shos up.

Employers need to investin training, parts, and pay for (and respect) the professional judgement of those they hire.

Work, besides being 'neat and workmanlike,' must be done with an eye out for the next guy that has to work there, and allow for anticipated changes. Technique will often have to go beyond code simply to reduce power quality and control reliability issues.

John:

Words well spoken!!

NFPA 70B is a good source of information! Maybe there is some hope for my concern, at least by those who are aware of the hazards involved and are qualified.

How many CMP members would walk across the street on a rainy day barefoot over a metal cover where splices are made!

Look at the following for some of the real world problems found everywhere!!















Joe

Look here there is more ... !!!!!!















Joe

A 4AM conversation when I went into a production plant and found a couple of production workers inside the controls of a 100A, 480V chiller. S=Me, T=Them



S-"What are you guys doing in there?"
T-"We've got to fix the machine"
S-"Why don't you call maintenance?"
T-"We've got no 3rd shift maintenance, Why are you taking pictures?"
S-"It's OK, I always take pictures. Don't you know that's dangerous in there?"
T-"It's OK, we do this all the time! We'll get in trouble if we don't get our parts out, and we'll get sent home if the machine breaks. All I usually need to do is push this reset button!"



He then pointed to the contactor's indicator. Sorry about my amateur arrow.

Blue masking tape held the cabinet door closed, rather than the original locking mechanism.
There was a door switch, meant to disconnect the control circuit, that was also defeated with blue tape.
I told their manager, but I'll betcha not a thing's changed, except that I'm out of their plant, now. ...S




[This message has been edited by electure (edited 01-18-2004).]

Let’s get back to the original question. Joe, if you are asking if the NEC applies to maintenance activities – absolutely. The rules of the code address individual tasks – not job descriptions. Chapter 26 of NFPA 70B clearly references NFPA 70E.
70B Committee falls under the auspices of and reports directly to the NEC Correlating Committee.

An example of one maintenance activity listed in 70B requiring use of the NEC:

“19-3.13.2 Adequate Static Grounding.
… However, where a conductor used for static grounding is also the equipment
grounding conductor for a power circuit, the conductor should be sized in accordance with Table 250-95 of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (changed to Table 250-122 for the 1999 NEC).”

So, if I am a maintenance person working a maintenance work request in accordance with NFPA 70B and am about to install a conductor for static grounding that also is used as the EGC, do the rules of the NEC apply? Of course they do. The maintenance standard says so.

If I am not to follow the NEC when I perform many electrical maintenance activities from adjusting overloads to replacing faulty receptacles, then someone please provide me a better reference to follow to ensure my facility will be safe. The NEC is the only reference for many electrical maintenance activities.

Thank you! Your words are well spoken and thought out, and you seem to understand the problem associated with the title of the original question!

I have received similar comments support from some of the members of both of the committees you mention above.

I fully agree that when you are doing any type of maintenance or repair work on the electrical system that you are required to follow the rules in the NEC. I don't agree that the NEC itself requires that this maintenance or repair work be performed. There are other codes and standards that require this type of work and when you do the work, you must comply with the NEC rules.
Don

[This message has been edited by resqcapt19 (edited 01-21-2004).]

great photos & story electure. i've many times been called into similar situations...

my experiences are that companies who can do the math , (i.e.~ cost of widgets vs. lack of maintainence downtime) are the only ones who take the incentive to do more than the typical crisis management.

they could give a rodent's rear end about any document from the NEC or other entity that i might point out....

~S~

There is not a soul here who drives or walks down the street on a daily basis and does not see some situation where maintenance of an existing wiring installation could be done to improve a scenario where something is either damaged or weathered to the point of it being an unsafe condition. The NEC presently is not setup to administer to this type of situation. I know of no NEC requirement that says to the building owner to fix the situation.

How or what is proposed to change this? Do we want the NEC to address this?

I for one do not want to see the NEC address this situation. It is hard enough to have some people follow the NEC in new work. Policing of existing work should be under the auspices of another document and group of individuals (inspectors).
If the NEC has a clause in it that would make maintenance a part of its requirements, I believe that less jurisdictions would adopt it.

Joe Tedesco, I know how strongly you feel about this subject, but is there not a better venue to direct your attention where all would be more agreeable to see this turn around, as well as have the authority to enforce it?

Pierre