Use of Personal Voltage Detectors to Protect Electrical Contractors: A Case Study

Most electrical contractors have well-developed Electrical Safety Programs consistent with NFPA 70E in place, but human error can still come into play leading to near-misses and contact injuries. Examples of these errors include team verification of lockout with an overlooked energy source, inaccurate technical documentation, miscommunication in facility isolation, faulty grounding, and look-alike gear. This paper examines the application of wearable personal voltage detectors (PVDs) to protect workers as an additional line of defense in situations where employees may make false assumptions or errors when working around energized parts and gear. We explore the evaluation of options, use case applicability, deployment, and results, drawing from a case study at a medium-sized electrical contracting company.