The surface of insulation in medium voltage wiring is not necessarily actually "ground" or near ground. This is even more so with unshielded conductors for CPT leads in enclosures and the like, never mind shielded conductors.

So going strictly by 70E standards, medium voltage conductors would be considered "insulated". However this fails the intent as obviously the idea is that the surface of the insulation is under 50 volts.

So with medium voltage conductors, a shock hazard can be present even if insulated.

Has anyone else considered how to handle this? Is there something in a standard somewhere to address it?