Electrical safety isn’t one-size-fits-all. In facilities where uptime matters as much as safety, choosing the right tools to verify electrical energy can make all the difference. Whether you’re designing new equipment or updating existing control panels, three technologies often come up in conversation:
Each plays a different role in achieving an electrically safe work condition as defined by NFPA 70E Article 120.6. But knowing which device you need and when depends on your people, your process, and your safety culture.
Before any maintenance or inspection, workers must confirm that electrical equipment is de-energized and verified safe. NFPA 70E outlines a step-by-step process:
That final verification step — confirming that no voltage is present — is where devices like AVTs, Voltage Indicators, and Test Points come into play. Each provides a unique way to make that verification safer and faster.
An AVT is an automated device permanently mounted on electrical equipment. It performs a self-contained test sequence to verify that voltage is not present before a worker begins servicing the equipment.
Once the circuit is isolated, the worker pushes a test button. The AVT performs its own live-dead-live sequence automatically:
When all readings confirm safe conditions, the AVT displays a green “absence of voltage” indication.
AVTs were formally recognized in NFPA 70E (2018) and are covered under UL 1436 and IEC 61508 (SIL 3) safety standards. They meet NFPA 70E 120.6 Exception 1, allowing a listed AVT to perform the required absence-of-voltage verification without a handheld meter.
AVTs, like Grace Technologies new ChekSafe Absence of Voltage Tester, offer the highest level of automation and control, reducing the need for PPE and manual verification during the final step of energy isolation.
A Voltage Indicator provides a visual confirmation of voltage presence through the panel door. Typically, it uses bright LED lights to show when a circuit or system is energized.
Voltage indicators don’t replace absence-of-voltage testing; instead, they help workers recognize whether voltage is present before opening an enclosure. They are invaluable for initial awareness and for confirming energy has been successfully isolated during the LOTO process.
Voltage indicators comply with NFPA 70E 120.6(4), which requires identifying hazardous voltage before testing. They enhance visual awareness and reduce the likelihood of accidental contact with live circuits.
Voltage indicators are a first line of defense, not a replacement for testing.
Voltage Test Points allow a qualified electrician to safely connect a multimeter or other rated test device to verify the absence of voltage — without opening the enclosure.
These devices provide test access to the outside of the panel, using high-impedance protection to prevent arc-flash or shock hazards. The worker connects the multimeter leads to the test point ports and performs the required measurement for each phase and ground connection.
This fulfills the NFPA 70E 120.6(7) requirement to verify absence of voltage with an “adequately rated portable test instrument.”
Voltage Test Points provide hands-on control for qualified workers, enabling them to maintain full compliance while minimizing exposure to energized conductors.
| Device | Primary Function | NFPA 70E Step Supported | Who Uses It | Best For |
| AVT | Automated absence of voltage testing | 120.6 Exception 1 | Qualified or task-qualified workers | Fast, automated verification |
| Voltage Indicator | Voltage presence awareness | 120.6 (4) | Any personnel near equipment | Quick visibility and reduced accidental contact |
| Voltage Test Point | Manual absence of voltage testing | 120.6 (7) | Qualified electricians | Through-door verification using a multimeter |
Each of these devices fits within the Risk Control Hierarchy in NFPA 70E, supporting engineering controls that reduce exposure and simplify compliance.
Electrical safety doesn’t have to slow you down. AVTs automate verification. Voltage Indicators enhance visibility. Test Points make manual testing safer and faster.
The right combination depends on your team’s qualifications, your procedures, and your operational goals — but all three share a single purpose: reducing exposure to live voltage while ensuring NFPA 70E-compliant verification every time.
Want to learn how these technologies fit into your facility’s electrical safety program? [Download the GracePESDs® eBook] to explore installation examples, compliance guidance, and real-world applications for Voltage Indicators, Test Points, and more.