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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!

Murphy's Law - Sled

Captain Murphy, Dirty Harry and Electrical Safety

OK, not the most professional sounding title for an article about electrical safety. But play along, you will be able to connect the dots rather quickly. Captain MurphyAround seventy years

VCB IEEE 1584

Plasma – Modify the Arc Rating or Modify the Incident Energy Calculations?

Plasma – Modify the Arc Rating or Modify the Incident Energy Calculations? I am frequently asked questions about the application of the 2018 edition of IEEE 1584 – especially electrode

Arc Flash Aftermath

Case Study – Arc Flash While Switching – Normal Operation?

A common question that I often hear in my NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 Arc Flash Studies training courses is: “Can simply operating a device such as a fusible switch

Jims 1974 Grey Book - IEEE 3000 Series Standards

IEEE 3000 Series Standards – Update

I have been a fan of the IEEE “Color Books” going all the way back to my Senior Year in college – yep, I had a class based on the

Wind and Solar Electrical Safety

DC Arc Flash Calculations

When the 2018 Edition of IEEE 1584 was published last year, one subject was conspicuously absent – DC arc flash. DC power systems are everywhere and include sources such as

Square D Low Voltage AC Power Circuit Breaker DS II

Evolution of Arcing Short Circuit Current Calculations

One of the main variables that is part of an arc flash study is the arcing short circuit current. However, going back through the evolution of arc flash calculations, consideration

Jim Phillips at Vancouver Conference in 2019

History of IEEE – 135 Years and going strong!

I was at the IEEE PCIC Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia last week where I had the privilege of being part of the first presentation with three great colleagues (actually

Fig. 4 Staged Arc Flash Test

History of Arcing Short Circuit Calculations – 1980’s to Now

One of the main variables used for incident energy and arc flash boundary calculations is the arcing short circuit current. How the arcing current is calculated has gone through an

Jim Phillips - IEEE Conference Speaker

Interview with Jim Phillips – How the New IEEE 1584 Standard Affects Arc Flash Risk Assessments in Europe

By: Rebecca Frain – Managing Director, Electrical Safety UK, Rotherham, England – A Brainfiller, Inc. Strategic Partner. Recently I had the opportunity to interview Jim Phillips regarding the new IEEE

IEC Logo

Just Published – IEC 61482-1-1

It is once again a privilege to announce the recent publication of IEC 61482-1-1:2019 Live working – Protective clothing against the thermal hazards of an electric arc – Part 1-1:

IEEE 1584 Next Edition

UK’s Electrical Review – 2018 Edition of IEEE 1584 – Major Changes

One of my latest articles regarding the new 2018 IEEE 1584 Standard was recently published in the United Kingdom’s premier publication Electrical Review. In this article I take you through

What is CENELEC?

I just returned from a CENELEC TC78 Live Working Standards meeting in Brussels, Belgium a few days ago and it occurred to me that many people may not know what

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.