NSLS Electrical Equipment Inspection (EEI) FAQ

Prepared by: Jeff Keister, Wayne Rasmussen, and John Aloi

Prepared on: 4/7/2008

Introduction: OSHA regulation and BNL policy mandates that all electrical equipment operating at 50 volts or more be approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), or inspected and approved by an Electrical Equipment Inspector. Click here to see a list of NRTL markings: http://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/index.html . Click here to see a list of NSLS inspectors: http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/facility/opseng/eei/ . NSLS personnel have started listing and inspecting electrical equipment in the department.

1. Q: Who maintains the EEI list for beamlines?

A: John Bohenek maintains the master equipment inventory and inspection status list. Wayne Rasmussen manages the NSLS EEI program and the majority of input into the master list.  It is the responsibility of all equipment owners (beamline users and staff) to update their lists whenever equipment is added, this is accomplished by coordinating an inspection.   An equipment inspection is required before any non-NRTL electrical equipment can be used at NSLS.  This inspection must be requested, see this web page: http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/facility/opseng/eei/ for information about requesting an inspection.  For beamline equipment, beamline staff should go to the above web page and place a formal request for an inspection.  For user equipment, the OPCO should be contacted to arrange an inspection. Non-NRTL equipment brought into the NSLS after 1/1/2005 must not be used prior to being inspected and approved.

2. Q: What goes on the list?

A: At minimum, electrical equipment that is energized at or above 50 volts.  This includes both power supplies and target devices, but not cables.

Note: as of 4/9/2008, most beamline equipment lists are considered incomplete, and many common things need to be added such as solenoids (including those in vacuum valves), ion gauges (even if they are not in use), heating tapes, etc.

3. Q: When is the list updated?

A: Whenever equipment is added to the beamline.  For new purchases, the equipment owner/steward must inventory the equipment upon receipt. The review and approval process must be complete before use of the equipment.  This is accomplished by beamline staff coordinating an EEI inspection, plus any remedies identified as required.

Note: User equipment that is brought in for the duration of the experiment will be inspected and documented in the NSLS database, but will not be part of the beamline inventory. This short term use equipment will be inspected, bar-coded,  status labeled, and the inspection results will be noted in the SAF.

4. Q: what is required to pass an equipment inspection?

A : at a minimum:

     a) all devices must be sufficiently enclosed to prevent access to exposed contacts bearing > 50 V

     b) all devices must contain a main fuse and indication of fuse type for replacement

     c) Exposed metal parts must be bonded and grounded. (chassis grounded to main ground)

5. Q: what kind of remedies are available for failed equipment?

A:  follow the equipment inspector's guidance.  Also, keep in mind:

a) Perforated aluminum is available to cover any openings in the equipment enclosure

b) RTV is available to cover energized conductors inside electrical equipment

c) Fused cords are available in the NSLS stockroom

6. Q: What indication does electrical equipment require?

A: A barcode and color-coded inspection status sticker.  All electrical equipment brought to beamlines (even those brought for temporary use by visiting experimenters) needs to be inspected, bar coded, and given a color coded sticker indicating the inspection status.

The equipment inspector applies a bar coded reference number to the equipment and a colored sticker that indicates its approval status. The sticker indicates the following status:

7. Q: What happens if the rules are not followed?

A: Somebody might get injured, and the NSLS could receive fines or be shut down for noncompliance.  If you get a safety finding, please do not feel attacked.  This simply gives you a chance to address the problem before someone could get hurt. 

8. Q: Where can I find the BNL EEI policy:

A: https://sbms.bnl.gov/sbmsearch/subjarea/192/192_pro7.cfm