Under NFPA 70E, which statement about troubleshooting and diagnostic activities requiring an energized electrical work permit is true?

Under NFPA 70E, which statement about troubleshooting and diagnostic activities requiring an energized electrical work permit is true?

• A. Not required
• B. Always required
• C. Always prohibited
• D. Only for regulated circuits

Answer: (A)

The important idea is that an energized electrical work permit is tied to performing work on or near energized parts where exposure to electrical hazards cannot be eliminated. For troubleshooting and diagnostic activities, you don’t need the permit if you can safely de-energize the equipment, lock it out, and perform the diagnostics with power off, thereby removing the hazard. Only when the task requires working energized or cannot be isolated would the energized electrical work permit come into play to manage those live-hazard conditions. So, this scenario is true because hazard elimination through de-energizing means the permit isn’t required. The other options don’t fit because there are times when troubleshooting can be done safely without the permit, and the permit isn’t universally mandated or categorically prohibited.

The important idea is that an energized electrical work permit is tied to performing work on or near energized parts where exposure to electrical hazards cannot be eliminated. For troubleshooting and diagnostic activities, you don’t need the permit if you can safely de-energize the equipment, lock it out, and perform the diagnostics with power off, thereby removing the hazard. Only when the task requires working energized or cannot be isolated would the energized electrical work permit come into play to manage those live-hazard conditions. So, this scenario is true because hazard elimination through de-energizing means the permit isn’t required. The other options don’t fit because there are times when troubleshooting can be done safely without the permit, and the permit isn’t universally mandated or categorically prohibited.