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Technical Articles

Jim Phillips - Electrical Safety Discussion

Welcome to the Brainfiller Technical Library.

This is the place to find technical articles and information developed by Jim Phillips. Everything from Electrical Power Systems, Arc Flash, Electrical Safety, IEEE 1584, National Electrical Code, NFPA 70E and more!
This material is compiled from Jim’s more than 40 years of experience in the electrical industry along with his leadership positions in both United States and International Standards organizations.

Visit Brainfiller’s Arc Flash Forum for timely discussions about Arc Flash, Electrical Safety, NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584 and more!

Electric Current through Tissue and Air – Shock and Arc Flash Hazards

Electric Current through Tissue and Air Shock and Arc Flash Hazards Figure 1: Absence of voltage tester | Panduit Corp. Basic electrical theory is that the greater the load is,

The 2022 Edition of IEEE 1584.1 was just published

2022 IEEE 1584.1 Just Published!

I’m happy to announce the latest Edition of IEEE 1584.1 “IEEE Guide for the Specification of Scope and Deliverable Requirements for an Arc-Flash Hazard Calculation Study in Accordance with IEEE

Fig. 4 Staged Arc Flash Test

How to Perform an Arc Flash Study – Part 5 Incident Energy and Arc Flash Boundary Calculations

The final part of this series examines incident energy and arc flash boundary calculations for the 480V panelboard example used in this series. IEEE 1584—IEEE Guide for Performing Arc Flash

Figure 1 - TCC basics

How to Perform an Arc Flash Study – Part 4 Arc Duration and Time Current Curves

The duration of an arc flash is typically defined by how long it takes an upstream overcurrent device to operate and clear the fault. This requires using the device’s time

Figure 1 One Line scaled

How to Perform an Arc Flash Study – Part 3
Arc Duration

Time is everything when an arc flash occurs. The longer the duration, the greater the incident energy exposure – which is directly proportional to the duration. The 2018 Edition of

Grounding and Power Quality

How to Perform an Arc Flash Study – Part 2
Arcing Fault Current

Arcing Fault Current – Effect of Gap, Voltage and Electrode Configuration An arc flash occurs when short circuit current jumps across an air gap between energized conductors. The event is

Fig. 4 Staged Arc Flash Test

How to Perform an Arc Flash Study – Part 1
Based on the Latest Edition of IEEE 1584

What is an arc flash study sometimes known as an arc flash assessment? Performing an arc flash analysis can be complex enough but the latest edition of IEEE 1584 –

Warning! No Arc Flash Hazard Exists!

Warning! No Arc Flash Hazard Exists!

I’m sure that title raised a few eyebrows but before you send me an email telling me how I got this wrong, hang in there for the rest of the

2021 NFPA 70E Part 1 of 5

In this five-part video series, Jim Phillips, P.E. provides an overview of the major changes for the 2021 edition. First published in 1979, the 2021 edition places a greater emphasis

2021 NFPA 70E Part 4 of 5

In Part 4, Jim Phillips discusses major changes to the 2021 Edition of NFPA 70E Article 130 Work Involving Electrical Hazards and the addition of NEW Article 360 Safety-Related Requirements

Jim Phillips in his PPE

2021 NFPA 70E – Major Changes

Jim Phillips, P.E. Every three years I have the privilege of writing the NFPA 70E Changes article for National Electrical Contractor Association’s magazine: Electrical Contractor. The NFPA 70E 2021 edition

2021 NFPA 70E

2021 NFPA 70E – Review of Major Changes

2021 NFPA 70E – Major Changes By Jim Phillips The 2021 Edition of NFPA 70E is right around the corner and with it – many changes. Every three years I

International Expert​

Jim is the International Chair of Geneva, Switzerland based International Electro-Technical Commission’s TC 78 for Live Working. He is also Vice-Chair of IEEE 1584, Technical Committee Member of NFPA 70E and active with many other standards organizations. 

He continues to travel the globe typically flying over 150,000 miles a year to work with various U.S. and international standards organizations and speak at many conferences and training events.

Jim and his wife of over four decades live in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

Multi-Award Winning: Best Paper at PCIC Conference and Electrical Safety Excellence recipient - to name a few.