electrical - namic - home · electrical hazards electrical – general undersized electric wire...

Electrical Wednesday, July 24, 2013, 8:30 a.m.

John Hudock, ARM, AFIS Engineering Exposure Analyst Mutual Boiler Re Malvern, Pa. John Hudock, engineering exposure analyst at Mutual Boiler Re, is responsible for supporting internal and external customers with equipment breakdown expertise. With more than 17 years of experience in equipment breakdown insurance, Hudock brings vast knowledge to his position at Mutual Boiler Re, a benefit to customers and the company alike. John has been a member of the FM Global community for four years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix in 2007, an ARM designation in 2001, and an AFIS designation in 2012. John currently resides in Douglassville, Pa., with his wife and family. Dirk Smith Vice President, Engineering Manager Mutual Boiler Re Malvern, Pa. Dirk P. Smith, vice president and engineering manager of Mutual Boiler Re, is responsible for building the company’s equipment breakdown expertise and providing jurisdictional inspection services. With more than 20 years of experience in engineering, Smith brings vast knowledge to his position at Mutual Boiler Re, a benefit to customers and the company alike. His experience includes serving as a National Board-commissioned inspector of boiler and pressure vessels, an equipment hazard engineer, and a facility hazard engineer. Dirk has been a member of the FM Global community for 15 years, beginning his career with the company as a loss prevention engineer. His knowledge and skills earned him the appointment as operations chief inspector for FM Global’s New York operations in 2005. Dirk earned a Bachelor of Science in marine engineering at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. Dirk currently resides in Chester Springs, Pa., with his wife and family.

Session Description: This session will focus on helping to better understand the common electrical hazards found on a farm, how they affect the quality of the risk, and steps that can be taken to help reduce the probability of loss. The speakers will cover the basics of the typical electrical distribution system and provide examples of hazardous conditions to look for during an inspection. Attendees will also learn about how positive and negative factors found during the inspection can be used to help evaluate the risk quality of the property. The session will be helpful to those working in loss control, underwriting or claims who want to broaden their knowledge on this common exposure.

Top Three Session Ideas

Tools or tips you learned from this session and can apply back at the office.

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Electrical Session Outline

Overview Electric Utility Service

• The Grid • Typical Farm Electrical Distribution? • 200 Amp Electrical Service • Industry Standards for Farm Electrical Service

Electrical Hazards

• Electrical Arcing • Barn Fire Stats • Top Causes of Electrical Distribution Equipment Damage • Electrical Hazards

o Power Surge o Power Sags o Service Panels, Switchgear, Transformers, Motors, etc. o Electrical Wire or Cable Insulation o Electrical - General o Dust o Corrosion

Deficiencies and Exposures on the Farm

• Electrocution Hazards • What Makes it Easier to Determine This is 60 Amp Service? • 60 Amp Electrical Service Cannot Meet the Demand for Today’s Household Electrical

Equipment • What Size is This Service? • Service Meters • Broken/Unsecured Conduit • Electrical Panels • Corrosion • Poor Environment • Double Tapping/Double Lugging • Knock-Outs and Clamps • Animals • Cables and Wiring • Tree Trouble • Knob and Tube Wiring • Aluminum Wire • Extension Cords • Electric Fences • Stray Voltage • Lighting Fixtures • Electric Motors • Generator Sets

Risk Quality

• Electrical Equipment Should be Kept… • Risk Quality Inspection Points

o Electrical Panels o Cables and Wiring o Motors and Generators

• Electrical Panels & Switchgear Risk Indicators

Q & A

Electrical Hazards On The Farm

Dirk Smith, Operations V.P.Engineering ManagerMutual Boiler Re

John R. Hudock, ARM, AFISEngineering Exposure AnalystMutual Boiler Re

Ohm’s Law?

V(Voltage) = I(Current) x R(Resistance)

2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock & Smith Page 1 of 24

Agenda

Electric Utility service

The hazard of electrical systems

Deficiencies and exposures on the farm

Risk quality identification

The Grid


Typical Farm Electrical Distribution?

200 Amp Electrical Service

Manual disconnect switch

240 volt service cables

Power from Utility Co

Bonding jumper to ground wire

Meter


NEC Article 547, NEC 2011 Handbook (NFPA 70)

Authority Having Jurisdiction (permits, inspection)

Utility Company

OSHA 1928 (Lockout/Tagout)

Industry Standards for Farm Electrical Service

Electrical Hazards


Electrical Arcing

Barn Fire Stats

Source: NFPA, 2012


Top Causes of Electrical Distribution Equipment Damage

Electrical HazardsPower Surge Utility Induced Lightning Strike (direct or indirect)

Power Sags Utility Induced Power Line Contact with Tree Branch

Service Panels, Switchgear, Transformers, Motors etc. Loose wire connections Vibration (from nearby equipment) Broken or detached conduit Oversized fuses or circuit breakers 60 Amp electrical service No lightning arrestor or SPD Aluminum wire to copper terminal connects Incorrect outdoor NEMA enclosure (service panels, MCC’s) Nesting (rodents, bees, birds) Missing knock-outs (moisture, dust, vermin) Fuses replaced with objects (copper pipe, stacked pennies, steel bolt)


Electrical Hazards

Electrical – General Undersized electric wire Improper electrical installation (inexperienced electrician) Extension cords substituted for permanent receptacle wiring Stray voltage Lack of electrical ground system (2-prong plug receptacles, power tools) Light fixtures in storage areas unprotected against breakage (fire) Knob and tube wiring Incorrect electric motor service duty (TEFC vs ODP)

Electrical Wire or Cable Insulation Mechanical stress (e.g. pulling, tugging, hanging weight of fixtures) Mechanical damage (knick, gouge, stretch, kink, pinch) Chemical exposure Prolonged UV /sunlight exposure Age related (normal deterioration) Animals chew on electrical wire insulation

Dust Grain/Grass chaff Dry poultry litter Mineral feed Dry powder chemicals (e.g. fertilizer) Dry soil (carried by wind; drawn from outside by ventilation fans) Cob webs

Corrosion Normal atmospheric humidity Hay and Straw storage in barn Washing/Cleaning/Sanitizing activities Water leaks (building, piping, ventilation openings) Close proximity to manure pits/lagoons Farm animal/Poultry excrement Recessed electrical panels in exterior walls, especially masonry

Electrical Hazards


Deficiencies and Exposures

Electrocution Hazards

Farm machinery contact with overhead power lines

Absence of grounding (K&T electrical systems, 60 amp electrical systems)

Overloaded circuits (over-fusing, unresponsive circuit breakers)

Damaged wire insulation

Center Pivot Irrigation Systems (moisture, improper grounding)

Pond Pumps (damaged wire insulation)


What makes it easier to determine this is 60 Amp Service?

Conduit ≤ 1” diameter

Round Meter enclosure (no box)

Age of home

2 wire service(120 Volts)

60 Amp electrical service cannot meet the demand for today’s household electrical

equipment…

Hair Dryer Garage Door Opener Sink Waste Disposal Coffee Maker Toaster Oven Microwave Dishwasher A/C Units Hand-Held Power Tools Water Well Pump TV’s Computer Devices Portable Heating Appliances Bigger Refrigerators/Freezers


What Size is this Service?

Conduit > 1” diameter

Round Meter enclosure (no box)

exposed cable(water ingress)

exposed cable

100 Amp Service Meter

discolored metal(corrosion)

Service Meters


Deteriorated cable insulation with resulting electrical arcing

Service Meters

Broken/Unsecured Conduit


Electrical Panels

Electrical Arcing

Obsolete Wiring

Oversized Fuses

Electrical Panels


Electrical Panels

Missing Dead Front Panel

Ground Wire (bare), and Neutral Wire have common connection

The 2 “Hot” Wires bypass the circuit breakers

Corrosion


Poor Environment

Double Tapping/Double Lugging


Knock-Outs and Clamps

Animals


Cables and Wiring

Tree Trouble!


Knob and Tube Wiring

Aluminum Wire


Extension Cords

Electric Fences


Stray Voltage

Lighting Fixtures


Electric Motors

Generator Sets


Risk Quality

Electrical Equipment Should Be Kept.....

CLEAN - good housekeeping, no combustibles present

COOL - air conditioned or well ventilated room

DRY - low humidity and moisture, no signs of water

TIGHT - sealed penetrations, tight connections


Electrical Panels

Clean, cool, dry, tight!!

Panels must have at least a ¼” air space between the mounting surface and enclosure

Panels should not be recessed into exterior walls as condensation causes accelerated corrosion

Panel doors should be closed. There should be at least 3 feet of clearance in front to allow doors to be opened a full 90°

The space around an electric panel should not be used for storage.

The main service disconnect should be mounted on a fire-resistant surface.

Risk Quality Inspection Points

Electrical Panels

Unused knock-out ports should not be left open (receptacles also)

Any evidence of arcing within panel should be investigated

Annual servicing by a qualified electrician is a key loss prevention factor

Machinery control panels should be kept free of dust, dirt and moisture

If type 1 or 2 surge protection devices (SPDs) are installed on either the line or load side of the service disconnect, the potential for electrical damage and fire from utility power and transient voltage surges is greatly reduced.



Cables and Wiring

The utility electrical service line to a structure should be at least 10′ off the ground

Ensure tree branches are adequately trimmed away from utility lines

Cable and conduit penetrations are sealed and in good condition

Cables and wiring are properly secured and fastened in place

No visual evidence of cuts, gouges, cracking, or missing insulation

Knob and Tube – wire insulation intact, especially at knob connections

Aluminum Wiring – no solid aluminum wiring connected to breakers or bus bar inside main electrical service panel


Motors and Generators

Generator battery posts and terminal connections cleaned regularly

Generator switchgear should be visually inspected for clean, cool, dry, tight

No signs of overheating (paint on motor/generator casing is discolored or blistered)

Motor and generator cooling vents are clear of dust and debris

Ensure that wire conduit or Romex is not broken or detached, and that the green ground wire is intact and in good condition

Insulation resistance (megger) testing of motors done annually



Electrical Panels & Switchgear Risk Indicators

Favorable Factors Unfavorable Factors

ENVIRONMENT · Cool, well ventilated · Panels exposed to excessive heat· No storage around electrical rooms and panels · Dirty/dusty environment· Dry, no signs of water or moisture · Humid, corrosive environment· Panels and wiring free of dirt/dust buildup · Combustible storage near panels

OPERATING CONDITIONS · Light electrical loads, within capacity · Circuits overloaded· No abnormal noise, vibration, leaks · Breakers or fuses undersized· Wiring & cables secured and supported · Noticeable noise, vibration, cracks

· Panel doors missing

AGE & HISTORY · New with key equipment less than 20 years old · Electrical panels/wiring over 30 years old· Up to date electrical studies and diagrams · System changes/additions without updates· No history of failures · History of electrical problems

MAINTENANCE · Annual electrical maintenance contract · Breakdown maintenance only· Batteries in good condition, chargers working · No records are available· Infrared scans performed

OPERATORS · Knowledgeable, qualified person on site · No person knowledgeable with electrical system· Has authority to isolate equipment · No person responsible for maintaining equipment

SAFETY DEVICES · Adequate circuit protection installed · Circuit protection not installed or missing· Circuit breakers tested and calibrated · Devices not designed for load/use· Surge protection device installed

Questions?


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electrical - namic - home · electrical hazards electrical – general undersized electric wire...

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