How to Use Point of Work Electrical Safety Devices

By Phil Allen, Founder and Chairman of the Board, and Nick Schiltz, Content Marketing Specialist, Grace Technologies, Inc.

In the upcoming NFPA 70E^® 2024 Edition the inclusion of the phrase "at each point of work" has prompted questions about the use of permanent electrical safety devices (PESDs) and absence of voltage testers (AVTs) for establishing an electrically safe work condition.

Qualified electrical workers are trained and intuitively know where to perform an absence of voltage test with portable test instruments within a given panel. However, best practices need to be established to verify that PESDs and AVTs are installed and terminated in the correct place within an electrical panel.

More specifically, verification is needed that test point PESDs remain compliant and relevant with the updated standard. By addressing the confusion and highlighting the importance of test point PESDs, we aim to demonstrate how users can confidently operate these devices in lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures for reducing risk while establishing an electrically safe work condition.

The Significance of "Point of Work"

The concept of "point of work" is crucial for workplace safety, referring to the specific location where tasks are performed, and workers interact with tools, systems or materials. This intersection between the worker and the work environment holds significance for safety, performance and training.

The visibility of each isolation point for electrical energy is a fundamental electrical safety principle. Both PESDs and AVTs have a proven track record of reducing risks; partly because they’re engineered into electrical panels and inherently provide visibility of electrical energy.

Initially, voltage presence indicators provided visible indications of an electrical isolator's status. The introduction of AVTs and high impedance-protected test points has made absence of voltage testing a less risky way to establish an electrical work condition. In addition, the NFPA 70E 2024 Edition also recognizes test points as valid “Additional Safety-by-Design Methods” (NFPA 70E O.2.4.(13)).

While AVTs require no contact using a portable test instrument, test points use high-impedance protection to work hand-in-hand with a qualified worker’s electrical test tool. High-impedance-protected test points refer to specialized components or features incorporated into electrical systems or devices, typically found externally mounted onto electrical enclosures or panels.

AVTs are designed to provide a safe and reliable way to conduct voltage readings or absence of voltage testing without the risk of accidental contact with live electrical components. The high-impedance protection validates the test point has a high resistance to electrical current flow, minimizing the potential for electric shock or short circuits during testing procedures.

This protective measure helps safeguard personnel and equipment while performing critical electrical testing and maintenance activities.

NFPA 70E Revisions

Understanding the significance of "point of work" is the heartbeat of electrical safety. Incorporating visible PESDs, such as voltage presence indicators and absence of voltage test points, helps reduce risks during LOTO procedures.

New products have provided an additional method for absence of voltage testing but don’t replace nor negate previous methods using UL 61010 devices. The 2018 edition of NFPA 70E added an exception to account for AVTs. However, compliance using UL 61010 PESDs remains valid and requires no exception.

“Section [120.6] Item (7) does not prohibit the use of the proposed devices to extend test points when used with portable test instruments, and therefore no exception is needed." - NFPA 70E Technical Committee (Source: Public Input No. 367-NFPA 70E-2021, Committee EEW-AAA).

Through the revision cycles of NFPA 70E (2021 and 2024 editions), the 70E committee has affirmed the compliance of UL 61010 PESDs installed on electrical enclosures. These test points empower workers to conduct absence of voltage tests, aligning with NFPA 70E 120.6(7) guidelines. In the NFPA 70E 2024 edition, "point of work" is only mentioned twice, emphasizing the importance of establishing and maintaining an electrically safe work condition.

NFPA 70E 130.9(C)2 instructs personnel to visually identify de-energized, isolated and grounded conductors during work on overhead lines. Additionally, NFPA 70E 120.6(7) reinforces the test-before-touch principle, highlighting the use of portable voltmeters to verify work is performed only on de-energized conductors — this same principle, by context, also applies to PESDs and AVTs.