Multi-Year, $6.5 Million Program Aims to Better Define Arc Flash
Hazards and Protect Workers
PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
The InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) has become
sponsor of the Arc Flash research initiative organized by the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NETA's Silver Level
contribution will be funded over the next three years.
Arc Flash is an electric current that is passed through air when
insulation or isolation between electrified conductors is no longer
sufficient to withstand the applied voltage. The flash is immediate,
but the results can cause severe injury. Two-thousand times a year,
workers are admitted to burn centers for extended injury treatment
caused by arc flash.
"Our organization is very excited to be a part of this
safety-related project," said Jayne Tanz, CMP, NETA Executive
Director. "As a technical organization with a vested interest in the
safety and standards, NETA's $50,000 contribution to the Arc Flash
project represents our dedication to initiatives to help improve
worker safety throughout the electrical industry."
The IEEE and the NFPA have joined forces on a multi-year
initiative to fund and support research and testing to increase the
understanding of arc flash. The results of this collaborative project
will provide information that will be used to improve electrical
safety standards, predict the hazards associated with arching faults
and accompanying arc blasts, and provide practical safeguards for
employees in the workplace. The project is estimated to cost a total
of $6-$7 million (US).
About the InterNational Electrical Testing Association
The InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) is an
accredited standards developer for the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) and defines the standards by which electrical
equipment is deemed safe and reliable. NETA Certified Technicians
conduct the tests that ensure this equipment meets the association's
stringent specifications. NETA is the leading source of
specifications, procedures, testing, and requirements, not only for
commissioning new equipment but for testing the reliability and
performance of existing equipment. http://www.netaworld.org
About the National Fire Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association has been a worldwide
leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the
public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit
organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other
hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus
codes and standards, research, training, and education.
About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized
standards-setting body, develops consensus standards through an open
process that brings diverse parts of industry together. These
standards set specifications and procedures based on current
scientific and technological consensus. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of
over 870 active standards and more than 400 standards under
development. For information on IEEE-SA see:
http://standards.ieee.org/.
About the IEEE
The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.)
is the world's largest technical professional society. Through its
more than 370,000 members in 160 countries, the organization is a
leading authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace
systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering,
electric power and consumer electronics. Dedicated to the advancement
of technology, the IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world's literature
in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science
fields, and has developed nearly 900 active industry standards. The
organization also sponsors or co-sponsors over 450 international
technical conferences each year. Additional information about the IEEE
can be found at http://www.ieee.org.
IEEE-SA
Karen McCabe, +1 732-562-3824
Marketing Director
k.mccabe@ieee.org
Copyright Business Wire 2008
