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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!

IEEE 1584 Large vs Small Enclosure 2

2018 IEEE 1584 – Enclosure Size Adjustment Factor

Ever since the 2018 Edition of IEEE 1584 – IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations was published a few months ago, people continue to sift through the many changes

Electrode Configuration and 2018 IEEE 1584

Electrode Configuration and 2018 IEEE 1584

The most frequently asked question that I receive regarding the 2018 edition of IEEE 1584 is: “How do I determine the electrode configuration?” The 2002 edition was based on arc

Kitchen PPE

Arc Flash, Second Degree Burns (My Wife and a Chili Cookoff)

Yes, you read the title correctly – Second degree burns, my wife and a chili cookoff! And it all took place at home. But, before I get into that story,

125 kVA Transformer Exception DELETED

2018 IEEE 1584 – 125 kVA Transformer Exception DELETED!

125 kVA – Going, going, gone! After much speculation about the fate of the 125 kVA transformer “exception”, the 2018 Edition of IEEE 1584 – IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash

IEEE 1584 Next Edition

IEEE 1584 – Changes to the Next Edition

It has been sixteen long years since IEEE 1584 – IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations was first published in 2002. This standard was highly celebrated back then because

Circuit Breaker Settings

Don’t Automatically Reset a Circuit Breaker that Trips!

The circuit breaker just tripped. Production is down, alarms are sounding in the background. Panic time. For many, this scenario would mean quickly re-set the circuit breaker and “see what

IEEE 1584 under construction

IEEE 1584 Article In Australia’s Industrial Electrix Magazine

Introducing the next edition of IEEE 1584 to Australia via Industrial Electrix Magazine. A short summary of major changes to IEEE 1584 and the role of one of Australia’s leading

IEC Standard 60900 was just published.

The fourth edition of IEC Standard 60900 Live working – Hand tools for use up to 1,000 V AC and 1,500 V DC was just published. This standard is applicable

Bull by the Horns

Effective Training Presentations – A Few Tips From Jim’s 35+ Years Of Experience.

For many, it is nightmare scenario. Your department manager just came by and asked you to prepare and present a short training program for a client. It doesn’t matter if

Fig. 4 Staged Arc Flash Test

Zero-Sequence Impedance and Incident Energy

A question that I am often asked either on-line or in one of my arc flash training classes is in regards to incident energy calculations and line-ground short circuit current:

IEC 61057 International Standard

IEC 61482-2 Second Edition Just Released!

As the International Chair of IEC TC78 Live Working Committee, I am excited to announce the recent publication of the second edition of IEC Standard 61482-2 Live working – Protective

IEEE Conference

PCIC Conference – ANSI vs. IEC Short Calculations and Arc Flash Studies

The 65th Annual IEEE-PCIC Conference will be held this year in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 24-26. This year I will have both my “IEEE hat” and “IEC hat” on and

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.