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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!

FREE Download Arc Flash Hazard Calculation Guide

The 2017 NEC and Arc Flash

By Jim Phillips The 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) contains several changes regarding arc flash: 110.16(B) Arc-Flash Hazard Warning of Service Equipment 240.87 Arc Energy Reduction (Circuit Breakers) 240.67 Arc

Arc Flash Labeling Requirments

Arc Flash Labels and ANSI Z535

If you ask five different people what an arc flash label should look like, you will likely receive five different answers. Although there are no hard and fast rules regarding

FREE Download Arc Flash Hazard Calculation Guide

Utility Short Circuit Data – Different Formats

National Electrical Code 110.9 Interrupting Ratings states that: Equipment intended to interrupt current at fault levels shall have an interrupting rating at nominal circuit voltage at least equal to the

2018 NFPA 70E Update – What’s New? What’s Changed?

Published: June 2017 By Jim Phillips Based on Jim’s article originally published in theMay 2017 Issue of Electrical Contractor Magazine. It is hard to imagine that three years have passed

Arc Flash Study Top 10 FAQs Part #3

How Does Everyone Else Do This? By Jim Phillips 3-Part Series ARC FLASH LABELS What do you list on an arc flash label when the prospective incident energy is greater

Arc Flash Study Top 10 FAQs Part #2

How Does Everyone Else Do This? By Jim Phillips 3-Part Series ELECTRICAL SAFETY PRACTICES Does your company or client permit energized work where the incident energy is greater than 40

Arc Flash Study Top 10 FAQs Part #1

How Does Everyone Else Do This? By Jim Phillips 3-Part Series There are many frequently asked questions about performing an arc flash study (risk assessment) and understanding electrical safety […]

Electrical Safety Training: It Will Save Your Life!

Performing electrical work without being properly trained can be deadly. I have seen this hold true during numerous investigations. Many companies proactively provide employee training and refresher courses at least

Short Circuit Data – Per Unit, Amps and Symmetrical Components

Making Sense of the NumbersUtility Company Short-circuit Data For Arc Flash Studies Electrical Contractor Magazine – November 2012Jim Phillips, P.E. One of the first steps in performing an arc flash

ANSI Z535 – Series of Standards for Safety Signs and Tags

Many safety labels use either Caution, Warning or Danger with a specific color associated with it. The U.S. National Electrical Code and NFPA 70E both reference ANSI Z535 to provide

2018 NFPA 70E - 40 cal/cm2 Threshold (may be) Deleted

2018 NFPA 70E – 40 cal/cm2 Threshold (may be) Deleted

Finally! The 40 cal/cm2 threshold my finally be deleted. The For many years, the 40 cal/cm2 threshold that is part of Informational Note 3 presently found in the 2015 Edition

Brainfiller Electrical Power Training

Utility Short Circuit Current Data, Arc Flash and Change

Webinar – Utility Short Circuit Current Data, Arc Flash Studies and Change by Jim Phillips, P.E. [See more about Jim Phillips] It goes up, it goes down, sometimes it is

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.