W. Va. Code R. § 56-20-13

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 56-20-13 - Electricity

13.1. Performance of electrical work.

13.1.a. No electrical work shall be performed on low-, medium-, or high-voltage distribution circuits or equipment, except by a qualified electrician or by a person trained to perform electrical work and to maintain electrical equipment under the direct supervision of a qualified electrician. Disconnecting devices shall be locked out and suitably tagged by the person(s) who performs such work, except that in cases where locking out is not possible, such devices shall be open and suitably tagged by such person(s). They shall be removed only by the person(s) who installed them or if such person(s) is unavailable, by a qualified person authorized by the operator or his/her agent. Suitably tagged, as used in these sections, means that a sign such as, "Danger, Hands Off, Do Not Close, Men Working On Line", shall be attached to the locked switches. The signs or tags shall bear the name and date of the person(s) who installed the tag. Keys used to lock out switches shall be kept only on the person(s) who is performing the work on the equipment. Such locks shall be provided by the operator.

13.1.b. All power circuits and electrical equipment shall be de-energized before work is performed on such circuits and equipment, except when necessary for troubleshooting or testing.

13.1.c. All wiring and equipment installed shall meet the requirements of the National Electric Code (NEC) at the time installed. After the effective date of this rule, documentation is to be maintained to establish dates of new installations.

13.2. Transformers.

13.2.a. All surface transformers, unless of the construction which will eliminate shock hazard, or unless installed at least eight (8) feet above ground, shall be enclosed in a house or surrounded by a fence at least six (6) feet high. If the enclosure is of metal, it shall be grounded effectively, and the gate or door to the enclosure shall be kept locked at all times, unless authorized persons are present.

13.2.b. Transformers shall be provided with adequate overload protection.

13.2.c. "Danger-High Voltage" signs with voltage indicated shall be posted conspicuously at all transformer enclosures, high potential switch boards, and other high potential installations.

13.3. Electrical equipment generally.

13.3.a. Capacitors used for power factor connections shall have suitable drain off resistors or other means to protect workers against electrical shock following removal of power.

13.3.b. Dry wooden platforms, insulating mats, or other electrical nonconductive materials shall be kept in place at all switchboards and power-control switches where shock hazards exist. However, metal plates on which a person normally would stand and which are kept at the same potential as the grounded, metal, non-current-carrying parts of the power switches to be operated may be used.

13.3.c. Reverse current protection shall be provided at storage battery charging stations to prevent the storage batteries from energizing the power circuit in the event of power failure.

13.3.d. All electric conductors shall be sufficient in size and have adequate current carrying capacity and be of such construction that a rise in temperature resulting from normal operation will not damage the insulating materials.

13.3.e. All electrical connections or splices and conductors shall be mechanically and electrically efficient and suitable connectors shall be used. All electric connections or splices and insulating wires shall be reinsulated at least to the same degree of protection as the remainder of the wire. Splices made shall provide continuity of all components.

13.3.f. High-potential electrical conductors shall be covered, insulated, or placed to prevent contact with low potential conductors.

13.3.g. All electrical equipment that is provided with switches or controls shall be safely designed, constructed, and installed.

13.3.h. Single phase loads shall be connected phase-to-phase when connected to resistance grounded systems.

13.3.i. Each ungrounded conductor or telephone wire that leads underground and is directly exposed to lightning shall be equipped with suitable lightning arrestors of approved type within one hundred (100) feet of the point where the circuit enters the mine. Lightning arrestors shall be connected to a low resistance grounding medium on the surface and shall be separated from neutral grounds by a distance of not less than twenty-five (25) feet. Cables in rigid conduit or shielded are not considered directly exposed.

13.4. Testing maintenance and repair of electrical equipment.

13.4.a. All electrical equipment, except circuit breakers, shall be examined daily by a competent person to assure safe operating condition.

13.4.a.1. All electrical equipment shall be examined monthly, tested and properly maintained by a qualified electrician. All systems and controls for the emergency shutdown of equipment shall be tested at least monthly. When a potential dangerous condition is found on electrical equipment, such equipment shall be removed from service until the condition is corrected by a qualified electrician. A record of such examination and the action taken when the potentially dangerous condition is found shall be kept and made available to an authorized representative of the Director of the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training and to all miners at such quarry.

13.4.b. Circuit breakers equipped with auxiliary tipping devices shall be tested and examined at least once each month by a qualified electrician and a record of such examination shall be kept for one (1) year and made available to an authorized representative of the Director and to the miners at such quarry. Circuit breaker tests shall include:

13.4.b.1. Breaking continuity of the ground check conductor where ground check monitoring is used;

13.4.b.2. Actuating all of the auxiliary protective relays; and

13.4.b.3. Visual observation of all components of the circuit breaker and its auxiliary devices. Such repairs or adjustments as are indicated by such tests and examination shall be carried out immediately.

13.4.c. Continuity and resistance of grounding systems shall be tested immediately after installation, repair, and modification, and annually thereafter. A record of the resistance measured during the most recent test shall be made available upon request by the Director or his duly authorized representative.

13.5. Circuit breakers.

13.5.a. Automatic circuit breaking devices or fuses of the correct type and capacity shall be installed so as to protect all electrical equipment and circuits against short circuit and overload. Three (3) phase motors on electrical equipment shall be provided with overload protection mat will de-energize all three (3) phases in the event that any phase is overloaded. As used in this section, adequate current interrupting capacity requires that the fuse or circuit breaker is capable of interrupting the maximum short circuit current that the circuit may conduct without destruction to the device.

13.5.b. Electric equipment shall be provided with devices that will permit the equipment to be de-energized quickly in the event of an emergency.

13.5.c. One (1) circuit breaker maybe used to protect two (2) or more branch circuits if the circuit breaker is adjusted to afford over-current protection for the smallest conductor.

13.5.d. All circuits used to power portable or mobile equipment shall contain either a direct or derived neutral which shall be grounded through a suitable resistor at the power center, and a grounding circuit, originating at the grounded side of the grounding resistor, shall extend along with the power conductors and serve as a grounding conductor for the frames of all the electrical equipment supplied power from the circuit, except that the Director or his authorized representative may permit underground low and medium voltage circuits to be used underground to feed such stationary electrical equipment if such circuits are either steel armored or installed in grounded rigid steel conduit throughout their entire length. The grounding resistor, where required, shall be of the proper ohmic value to limit the ground fault current to twenty-five (25) amperes. The grounding resistor shall be rated for maximum fault current continuously and insulated from ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the system.

13.5.e. Power circuits serving three (3) phase alternating current equipment serving portable or mobile equipment shall be protected by suitable circuit breakers of adequate interrupting capacities which are properly tested and maintained as prescribed by the Director. Such breakers shall be equipped with devices to provide protection against under voltage, grounded phase, short circuit and over current.

13.5.f. Disconnecting devices shall be installed at the beginning of branch lines in high voltage circuits and equipped or designed in such a manner that it can be determined by visual observation that the circuit is de-energized when the switches are open.

13.5.g. Circuit breakers and disconnecting switches shall be marked for identification.

13.5.h. Stationary and/or temporary electrical equipment shall not be moved while energized unless written approval is given by the Director.

13.6. Cables.

13.6.a. Cables and power wires including, but not limited to, telephone, communication and control wires, shall be insulated adequately and fully protected from physical damage. No cable will be hung in a manner which will damage the insulation or conductors.

13.6.b. Trailing cables shall be clamped to machines in a manner to protect the cables from damage and to prevent strain on the electrical connections.

13.6.c. Trailing cables shall be adequately protected to prevent damage by mobile equipment.

13.6.d. Short circuit protection for trailing cables shall be provided by an automatic circuit breaker or other no less effective device, approved by the Director, of adequate current interrupting capacity in each ungrounded conductor. Disconnecting devices used to disconnect power from trailing cables shall be plainly marked and identified and such devices shall be equipped or designed in such a manner that it can be determined by visual observation that the power is disconnected and shall be labeled to show which unit they control.

13.6.e. Cable/cable couplers shall be constructed so that the ground check continuity conductor shall be broken first and the ground conductor shall be broken last when the coupler is being uncoupled and shall not be coupled or broken under load.

13.6.f. When two (2) or more trailing cables junction to the same distribution center, means shall be provided to assure against connecting the trailing cable to the wrong circuit breaker.

13.6.g. One temporary splice may be made in any portable trailing cable. Such trailing cable may only be used for the next twenty-four (24) hour period. Temporary splices in trailing cables shall be made in a workmanlike manner and shall be mechanically strong and well insulated. Trailing cables or hand cables which have exposed wires or which have splices that heat or spark under load shall not be used. As used in this section, the term splice means a mechanical joining of one (1) or more conductors that have been severed.

13.6.h. When permanent splices in trailing cables are made, they shall be:

13.6.h.1. Mechanically strong with adequate electrical conductivity and flexibility,

13.6.h.2. Effectively insulated and sealed so as to exclude moisture;

13.6.h.3. Vulcanized or otherwise treated with suitable materials to provide flame-resistant qualities and good bonding to the outer jacket; and

13.6.h.4. Made in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

13.6.i. Trailing cables for medium voltage circuits shall include grounding conductors, a ground check conductor, and grounded metallic shields around each power conductor or a grounded metallic shield over the assembly, except that on equipment employing cable reels, cables without shields may be used if insulation is rated two thousand (2,000) volts or more.

13.6.j. Telephone and low-potential signal wire shall be protected, by isolation or suitable insulation, or both, from contacting energized power conductors or any other power source.

13.7. Grounding.

13.7.a. All metallic shields, armors and conduits enclosing power conductors shall be electrically continuous throughout and shall be grounded.

13.7.b. The attachment of grounding wires to other grounded power conductors will be approved if separate clamps, suitable for such purpose, are used and installed to provide a solid connection.

13.7.c. Metallic frame, casing, and other enclosures of electrical equipment that can become alive through failure of insulation or by contact with energized parts shall be grounded. Resistance Grounded Systems shall have a ground monitoring system to monitor continuously the grounding circuit to assure continuity. The ground check circuit shall cause the circuit breaker to open when either the ground or pilot check wire is broken. Other, no less effective devices, may be approved by the Director or his authorized electrical representative, to assure such continuity.

13.7.d. In instances where single phase 110/220-volt circuits are used to feed electrical equipment, the only method of grounding that will be approved is the connection of all metallic frames, casings or other enclosures of such equipment to a separate grounding conductor which establishes a continuous connection to a grounded center tap of the transformer. In the case of 120-volt single winding transformers used to feed electrical equipment, the only method of grounding that will be approved is the connection of all metallic frames, casings and other enclosures of such equipment to a separate grounding conductor which establishes a continuous connection to a grounded center tap or a grounded leg of the transformer.

13.7.e. Where batteries are being charged without removing them from mobile equipment, or are sitting on wooden blocks, the frames of the machine or battery case shall be grounded to the grounded frame of the charger to prevent the machine from becoming alive through failure of insulation in the charger. All ground conductor connections shall be clamped or bolted connections.

13.7.f. All buildings and structures shall be earth grounded if they are constructed of metal. Also, any building or structures which could become alive with electrical energy shall be effectively grounded.

13.7.g. Guy wires from poles supporting high voltage power lines shall be securely connected to the system grounding medium or shall be provided with insulators rated at the highest voltage.

13.7.h. All 120/240 volt AC circuits used to power electrical devices used in wet locations shall be protected with ground fault circuit interrupting devices.

13.8. Energized lines generally.

13.8.a. All guy wires shall be marked or flagged when equipment is working in the area.

13.8.b. Energized power lines crossing an access road or work area shall be identified by warning signs visible from each direction. Warning signs shall include height if lines for clearance and made of reflective material. In no event shall any high voltage power line be installed less than fifteen (15) feet above ground, walkways, or working areas.

13.8.c. All equipment near energized power lines with the following voltages shall maintain the following clearances: 10 to 69,000-10 feet; 69,000 to 114,000-12 feet; 115,000 to 229,000-15 feet; 230,000 to 344,000-20 feet; 345,000 to 499,000-25 feet; 500,000 or more-35 feet.

13.8.d. All personnel, except those directly involved in the operation, shall stay clear of the equipment working near energized lines.

13.8.e. A person shall be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means.

13.8.f. Movement of equipment; minimum distance for high voltage lines. When any part of any equipment operated on the surface of any quarry is required to pass under or by any energized high-voltage powerline and the clearance between such equipment and powerline is less than that specified above, such powerlines shall be de-energized or other precautions shall be taken to prevent contact with the powerlines.

13.8.g. De-energization of powerlines. Any overhead wire shall be considered to be an energized line unless and until the person owning such line or electrical utility authorities verifies that it is not an energized line and it has been visibly grounded.

13.8.h. If equipment comes in contact with an energized line, the operator shall stay in the equipment until notified by a qualified electrician or foreperson that the line is de-energized.

13.9. High voltage.

13.9.a. High voltage lines on the surface shall be de-energized, locked out, tagged out, and grounded as near the work area as possible before work is performed on mem. Repairs may be permitted to energized surface high voltage lines, if such repairs are made by a qualified electrician in accordance with the procedures and safeguards including, but not limited to, a requirement that the operator of such quarry provide tests of, and maintain, protective devices used in making such repairs. No work shall be performed on any high voltage line on the surface which is supported by any pole or structure which also supports other high voltage lines until all lines supported on that pole are de-energized and grounded.

13.9.b. No high voltage line shall be regarded as de-energized for the purpose of performing work on it until it has been determined by a qualified electrician that such high voltage line has been de-energized and grounded. Such qualified electrician shall, by visual observation, determine that the connecting devices on the high voltage circuit are in open position and insure that each ungrounded conductor of the high voltage circuit upon which work is to be done is properly connected to the system grounding medium.

13.9.c. An energized high voltage line may be repaired only when the operator has determined that such repairs cannot be scheduled during period when the power circuit could be properly de-energized and grounded. Such repairs will be performed on power circuits with a phase-to-phase nominal voltage no greater than fifteen thousand (15,000) volts. The weather conditions shall be noted so that it would not interfere with such repairs or expose those persons assigned to such work to an imminent danger. The operator shall designate a person qualified to perform such work as the person responsible for carrying out such repairs. In order to insure protection for himself/herself and other interested persons assigned to perform such repairs from the hazards of said repairs, he/she must prepare and file with the operator:

(1) a general description of the nature and location of the damage or defect to be repaired;

(2) the general plan to be followed in making of such repairs;

(3) a statement that a briefing of all qualified electricians assigned to make such repairs was conducted informing them of the general plan, their individual assignments, and the dangers inherent in such assignments; and

(4) a list of proper protective equipment and clothing that will be provided, and

(5) such other information as the person designated by the operator feels necessary to describe properly the means or methods to be employed in such repairs. All statements obtained by the operator shall be recorded and contain a notation of the time, date, location and general nature of the repairs.

13.9.d. When two (2) or more persons are working on an energized high voltage surface line simultaneously and anyone of them is within reach of another, such persons shall not be allowed to work on different phases or equipment with different potentials.

13.9.e. All persons performing work on energized surface high voltage lines shall wear protective rubber lineman's gloves, sleeves, and climber guards if climbers are worn. Protective rubber gloves shall not be worn wrong side out or without protective leather gloves. Protective devices worn by a person assigned to perform work on high voltage surface lines shall be worn continuously from the time he/she leaves the ground until he/she returns to the ground and if such devices are employed for extended periods, such persons shall visually inspect the equipment assigned him/her for defects before each use and in no case, less than twice each day.

13.9.f. All protective equipment used for work on energized high voltage surface lines that are required to be tested by the ASTM standards shall be electrically tested in accordance with ASTM standards.

13.9.g. Disconnecting or cutout switches on energized high voltage lines shall be operated only with insulated sticks, fuse tongs or pullers which are adequately insulated, maintained and tested to protect the operator from the voltage to which he/she is exposed. When such switches are operated, the person operating such devices shall wear protective rubber gloves.

13.9.h. No new additional circuits may be tied to a high voltage line when such line is energized.

13.9.i. Solely for purposes of grounding ungrounded high voltage power systems, grounded messenger wires used to suspend the cable of such system may be used as a grounding medium.

13.9.j. All high voltage circuits supplying portable, mobile or stationary equipment shall contain either a direct or derived neutral which shall be grounded through a suitable resistor at the source transformer and a grounding circuit originating at the grounded side of the grounding resistor shall extend along the power conductors and serve as a grounding conductor for the frames which receive power from that circuit. The grounding resistor shall be of the proper resistance value to limit the voltage drop in the grounding circuit external to the resistor to not more than one hundred (100) volts under fault conditions, the grounding resistor shall be rated for maximum volt current continuously and insulated from ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the system.

13.9.k. High voltage resistant grounded system serving portable or mobile equipment shall include a failsafe ground check circuit to monitor continuously the grounding circuit to assure continuity and the fail safe ground check circuit shall cause the circuit breaker to open when either the ground or pilot check wire is broken or other no less effective device approved by the Director or his authorized representative to assure such continuity.

13.9.l. High voltage multi-conductor cables used in resistant grounded systems shall be equipped with metallic shields around each power conductor with one (1) or more ground conductors having a total cross sectional area of not less than one-half (1/2) the power conductor and with an insulated internal or external conductor not smaller than #10 A.W.G. for the ground continuity check circuit.

13.10. Movement of electrical equipment.

13.10.a. Power centers, portable transformers, cable couplings and enclosures shall be de-energized before they are moved from one location to another. Except that when equipment powered by source other than such centers or transformers is not available, the Director may permit such centers or transformers to be moved while energized if he determines that such equivalent or greater hazard may otherwise be created and if they are moved under the supervision of a qualified electrician, and if such centers and transformers are examined prior to such movement by such person and found to be grounded by methods approved by an authorized representative of the Director and otherwise protected from hazard to the miner. A record shall be kept of such examination for one (1) year and made available to a representative of the Director upon request.

13.10.b. High voltage cables other than trailing cables shall not be moved or handled at any time while energized as permitted under this section.

13.10.c. Quarry operators shall require all people handling high-voltage energized portable trailing cables to wear approved and tested insulated workmen's gloves. All such protective equipment shall be furnished by the operator. Rated gloves used when handling energized portable trailing cables shall be electrically tested every thirty (30) days and a record of that test shall be kept for one (1) year and made available to a representative of the Director upon request. If straps or hooks are used, those straps and hooks shall be non-conductive and designed for that purpose.

13.10.d. Cables energized to potentials in excess of one hundred fifty (150) volts, phase-to-ground, shall not be moved with equipment unless sleds or slings, insulated from such equipment, are used. When such energized cables are moved manually, insulated hooks, tongs, ropes, or slings shall be used unless suitable protection for persons is provided by other means. This does not prohibit pulling or dragging of cable by the equipment it powers when the cable is physically attached to the equipment by suitable mechanical devices and the cable is insulated from the equipment in conformance with other standards in this part.

13.11. Other electrical apparatus or areas.

13.11.a. Ladders for electrical work shall be of nonmetal type.

13.11.b. No electrical machinery or apparatus shall have unguarded exposed energized parts.

13.11.c. Lighting plants shall be located so as not to obstruct or be a safety or health hazard to any part of the quarrying operation or miners.

13.11.d. Employees performing energized electrical work shall be provided with suitable personal protective equipment. All such protective equipment shall be furnished by the operator.

13.11.e. Rooms in which circuit breakers or controls are installed shall have two (2) separate and distinct travelable passageways, designated as escapeways, unless waived by the Director.

13.11.f. All lights with less than eight (8) feet overhead clearance shall be guarded. Lamp sockets shall be of a weatherproof type where they are exposed to weather or wet conditions that may interfere with illumination or create a shock hazard.

13.11.g. Electric lights or other approved methods of lighting shall be installed so mat they do not come in contact with combustible materials, and the wires shall be supported by suitable insulators and fastened securely to the power conductors.

13.11.h. A ten (10) pound fire extinguisher shall be provided for each electrical installation.

13.11.i Combustible materials shall not be stored in electrical rooms and transformer substations.

W. Va. Code R. § 56-20-13