Two Standards, One Goal — Electrical Safety
When it comes to electrical safety and reliability, two standards dominate the conversation: NFPA 70E and NFPA 70B. Although both fall under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) umbrella, they serve very different purposes. NFPA 70E focuses on protecting people from electrical hazards, while NFPA 70B focuses on protecting equipment through proactive maintenance.
Understanding how these two standards work together is essential for compliance, productivity, and—most importantly—safety.
NFPA 70E: Electrical Safety in the Workplace
First published in 1979, NFPA 70E provides the framework for creating a safe work environment around electrical systems. It outlines procedures to protect personnel from arc-flash, shock, and electrocution hazards during operations, maintenance, and testing.
Key Focus: Worker Protection
NFPA 70E is about people—the technicians, electricians, and maintenance professionals who work on or near energized equipment. It defines safe work practices, PPE requirements, and risk assessment procedures to reduce the likelihood of electrical incidents.
NFPA 70E 120.6: The “Live-Dead-Live” Test
One of the most referenced sections in the entire standard, NFPA 70E Article 120.6, specifies the process for establishing an electrically safe work condition (ESWC).
At its core is the “Live-Dead-Live” test—a three-step verification process to ensure that circuits are truly de-energized before work begins:
- Test the meter on a known live source to verify it works.
- Test the circuit to confirm it’s de-energized.
- Re-test the meter on a known live source to ensure the meter still functions properly.
While this process is critical, performing it directly on energized conductors exposes workers to risk.
That’s where GracePESDs® (Permanent Electrical Safety Devices) come in. These devices—such as the ChekVolt, Voltage Test Station, and Safe-Test Point®—allow workers to verify the absence of voltage without direct contact with live parts.
By following NFPA 70E 120.6 using PESDs, facilities reduce exposure, simplify compliance, and make “Test Before Touch” safer and more efficient.
NFPA 70B: Electrical Equipment Maintenance
In contrast, NFPA 70B is about equipment—specifically, how to maintain it to prevent electrical failures and improve reliability.
Historically a recommended practice, NFPA 70B was formalized into a full standard in 2023, transforming how facilities approach maintenance. It establishes a Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) framework that encourages continuous data collection, trending, and predictive analytics to identify issues before failure.
Key Focus: Equipment Reliability & Condition-Based Maintenance
Where 70E tells you how to work safely, 70B tells you how to maintain safety. One of its most significant updates is the inclusion of Continuous Thermal Monitoring (CTM) as an acceptable—and encouraged—practice.
NFPA 70B and Continuous Thermal Monitoring (CTM)
Traditionally, thermal inspections relied on infrared (IR) thermography performed annually or semi-annually. While valuable, IR scans only provide a snapshot in time. A failure could develop between inspections, going unnoticed until it causes costly downtime—or worse.
NFPA 70B Chapter 9: Thermal Inspection and Monitoring
The latest edition recognizes this gap and endorses continuous monitoring technologies as part of a compliant maintenance program. NFPA 70B permits the use of permanently mounted thermal sensors to monitor electrical connections and terminations, enabling continuous temperature tracking and supporting condition-based maintenance in accordance with the standard.
This marks a pivotal shift toward proactive, data-driven maintenance.
The Role of GraceSense™ Hot Spot Monitors
Grace Technologies' GraceSense™ Hot Spot Monitor (HSM) help facilities meet this standard.
The GraceSense™ HSM provides Continuous Thermal Monitoring of critical electrical assets, including switchgear, switchboards, MCCs, transformers, and bus ducts. It is a non-conductive temperature monitoring and alarming device that identifies potential hot spots and enables users to predict failures in electrical equipment.
Watch our on-demand webinar with Shelly DeGrate, MBA, IEEE Senior Member (Grace Technologies) and Thomas Malone (MMT Services) to learn how Continuous Thermal Monitoring (CTM) helps detect these risks before failure.
How NFPA 70E and 70B Work Together
These two standards are not competing—they’re complementary.
- NFPA 70E protects people through safe work practices and reduced exposure.
- NFPA 70B protects equipment through continuous condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Together, they enable the ultimate goal of zero harm and zero unplanned downtime.
Grace Technologies bridges both standards with its integrated approach:
- GracePESDs® → Compliance with NFPA 70E 120.6, enabling safer absence-of-voltage testing.
- GraceSense™ Hot Spot Monitor → Compliance with NFPA 70B Chapter 9, enabling continuous monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Conclusion: Compliance Is Evolving—Stay Ahead
As the electrical safety landscape evolves, compliance is no longer a one-time checkbox—it’s a continuous process. By aligning with NFPA 70E and 70B, facilities can improve both worker safety and equipment reliability.
Grace Technologies provides the tools to achieve both, helping you build a smarter, safer, and more compliant maintenance strategy.
Ready to Learn More?
Download the GracePESDs® eBook — Electrical Safety by Design: Save Lives. Increase Productivity
Download the GraceSense™ eBook — A Proactive Approach to Electrical Maintenance