Arc Flash Analysis in Power Plants

[apowerengr]

Any thoughts on what standards you'd apply in performing an arc flash hazard analysis in a utility-owned power plant in the US? NESC rule 410 appears to be applicable to lines and the NEC does not apply to utility owned power plants so I'm not clear if NFPA 70E applies? Thanks in advance for the feedback!

 

[dpc]

Although NFPA 70E specifically exempts electric utilities, my recommendation is to use NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 as the basis for the hazard analysis. Even though NFPA exempts utilities from NFPA 70E, US OSHA still has juridiction over utilities. And OSHA has said that compliance with NFPA 70E will satisfy OSHA requirements for electrical safety.

The exemption for electric utilities is more of a political and "turf" issue and has little to do with technical issues in this case.