Hi All,
I have run into this in a number of threads discussing 70E issues. I've been a student of 70 since the 2000 edition. I don't recall verbage anywhere in the standard saying it is alright to not put the equipment or system in an ESWC in order to do maintenance if the task is a usual low risk operation, example often cited, replacing a blown fuse? My read of the standard tells me if you're dealing with 50V AC or more you need to put the equipment in an ESWC if crossing the LABSP or interacting with the equipment in a fashion creating an increased likelyhood of an arc event. Of course the exceptions apply for greater risk, infeasable, countinuous process and less than 50V. What am I missing here? In what Article is permission granted?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts concerning this.

I would say voltage testing, visual inspections where the restricted approach boundary is not crossed and troubleshooting exceptions would not require an electrically safe work condition.

In cases outside of what was previously stated, the work would need to be evaluated:

1) Infeasible, e.g. operational limitations or equipment design.
2) More hazardous to shut off, e.g. hospital applications

There is no specific verbiage that I'm aware of other than that. The risk portion comes into play (as I'm sure you know) when an EEWP is warranted, troubleshooting required, etc.

Mike

I think the 2000 code mentioned 'infeasible' and that was related to continuous processes.

Energized work is authorized when justification is established and there are exemptions to when you need an EEWP before the energized work task is executed. Your company's Electrical Safety Program states policies, practices and procedural requirements. A separate risk assessment procedure is required for the Job and discrete work task(s) that will be performed.