IEEE Publishes 2017 National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®)

IEEE Publishes 2017 National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®), Announces New NESC Chair and Vice Chair

Latest edition of the National Electrical Safety Code includes new rule changes and exceptions, and introduces updated tools to more easily access and utilize NESC content

PISCATAWAY, N.J.,  2016 – IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, and the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA), announced the release of the 2017 National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®). The NESC is the authoritative code for ensuring the continued practical safeguarding of persons and utility facilities during the installation, operation and maintenance of electric supply and communication facilities.

Some impactful changes to the code include revised requirements for substation impenetrable fences, required consideration of Aeolian vibration for conductors, changes to accommodate new industry insulator ratings, as well as revisions to the rules in Part 4 that align with changes made to 29 CFR by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Information on updates to the code can be found on the NESC homepage and subscribers can now view the code in the IEEE Xplore digital library.

The 2017 NESC also introduces new, helpful tools so that users can more easily access and utilize NESC content. One useful peripheral tool launching today is the 2017 NESCHandbook, Premier Edition. Along with commentary by contributors, this new handbook includes a representation of the code text making it the next-generation tool for professionals wanting to improve their understanding of the NESC. Later this fall, IEEE will also be offering a series of new educational online courses based on the NESC 2017 Edition, as well as introducing a mobile app for enhanced access to NESC content in the field.

“It’s been an honor serving as NESC chair and I’d like to thank all who participated in publishing the 2017 NESC with the most up-to-date electrical safety information,” said Mike Hyland, outgoing chair, NESC. “With new technologies emerging that will need to be addressed by the next edition the NESC has selected a highly qualified leadership team—one I’m confident will continue the work to augment the code and maintain its relevancy as an invaluable resource for safeguarding electrical supply.”

As Secretariat to the NESC, IEEE also announced the appointment of Nelson G. Bingel III, vice president product strategy, Osmose Utilities Services, Inc., as the new chair tasked with leading the ongoing advancement of the code during the next five-year revision cycle. Danna Liebhaber, principal electrical engineer, Bonneville Power Administration, the newly appointed incoming NESC vice chair, will work directly with Bingel as part of the new NESC leadership team.

“The NESC celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2015. Today we are anticipating and addressing new technologies impacting electrical safety requirements in order to keep the code current and relevant. There is also a concerted effort to make the code more logical and useful for up-and-coming engineering graduates,” said Nelson Bingel, chair, NESC. “Increased exposure to the NESC will be driven by the new NESC mobile app, online learning courses and annual national events, encouraging a broader level of participation to improve the code—a movement I look to support through my leadership role over the next code cycle.”

An upcoming NESC Workshop is scheduled for 18-19 October 2016 in San Antonio, TX. A review of the changes in all sections of the code will be presented on the first morning. Additional segments will discuss renewable energy generation, microgrids, distributed energy resources, and interconnection as new technologies to be considered for future iterations of the code.

https://standards.ieee.org/news/2016/nesc_2017.html