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Thursday, February 10, 2022

Question:

Good Day NEC Friends,

Does the NEC cover protection from static electricity? Seems this is an explosion hazard in an explosive environment. Your opinion would be appreciated.

Allen Sims

A

Answer:

Hi Allen,

Great question. The simple answer is no, the NEC does not cover static electricity. Section 90.1(A) clearly indicates that the purpose of the NEC is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. Static electricity is not usable. As far as the hazards mentioned in the question, Chapter 5, and specifically Section 500.4 Informational Note No. 2 makes a reference to NFPA 77 the Recommended Practice on Static Electricity. The purpose of NFPA 77 is the purpose of this recommended practice is to assist the user in controlling static electricity and the hazards with the generation, accumulation, and discharge of static electricity… The scope of NFPA 77 is related to prevention of fires and explosions. All ignition sources should be considered in electrical designs and installations in hazardous (classified) locations. 

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