Avoiding Common Gaps in Your Electrical Maintenance Program
Key takeaways from Terry Becker’s presentation at PowerTest 26 on how to develop a risk-based electrical maintenance program that strengthens safety and reliability
At PowerTest 26 in Nashville, hosted by NETA, the InterNational Electrical Testing Association, EC&M Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson sat down with Terry Becker, Electrical Safety Specialist with TW Becker Electrical Safety Consulting, to discuss the growing importance of developing and documenting a compliant Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP) under the 2023 edition of NFPA 70B and CSA Z463. In this interview, Becker outlines key takeaways from his presentation on “Electrical Maintenance Program Development” and why the shift to a prescriptive standard is a game-changer for electrical professionals. The conversation also explores the critical relationship between maintenance and electrical safety, including impacts on arc flash studies, protective device performance, and establishing normal operating conditions, while clarifying how technicians should use NFPA 70B, CSA Z463, and ANSI/NETA MTS together to support compliance and reliability in the field.
Ellen Parson is the Editor-in-Chief for EC&M. She has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She's been a business-to-business writer and editor for more than 25 years, most of which have been covering the construction and electrical industries. Contact her at [email protected].
