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Electrical Wednesday, July 24, 2013, 8:30 a.m.
John Hudock, ARM, AFIS Engineering Exposure Analyst Mutual
Boiler Re Malvern, Pa. John Hudock, engineering exposure analyst at
Mutual Boiler Re, is responsible for supporting internal and
external customers with equipment breakdown expertise. With more
than 17 years of experience in equipment breakdown insurance,
Hudock brings vast knowledge to his position at Mutual Boiler Re, a
benefit to customers and the company alike. John has been a member
of the FM Global community for four years. He earned a Bachelor of
Science in business management from the University of Phoenix in
2007, an ARM designation in 2001, and an AFIS designation in 2012.
John currently resides in Douglassville, Pa., with his wife and
family. Dirk Smith Vice President, Engineering Manager Mutual
Boiler Re Malvern, Pa. Dirk P. Smith, vice president and
engineering manager of Mutual Boiler Re, is responsible for
building the company’s equipment breakdown expertise and providing
jurisdictional inspection services. With more than 20 years of
experience in engineering, Smith brings vast knowledge to his
position at Mutual Boiler Re, a benefit to customers and the
company alike. His experience includes serving as a National
Board-commissioned inspector of boiler and pressure vessels, an
equipment hazard engineer, and a facility hazard engineer. Dirk has
been a member of the FM Global community for 15 years, beginning
his career with the company as a loss prevention engineer. His
knowledge and skills earned him the appointment as operations chief
inspector for FM Global’s New York operations in 2005. Dirk earned
a Bachelor of Science in marine engineering at the United States
Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. Dirk currently resides
in Chester Springs, Pa., with his wife and family.
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Session Description: This session will focus on helping to
better understand the common electrical hazards found on a farm,
how they affect the quality of the risk, and steps that can be
taken to help reduce the probability of loss. The speakers will
cover the basics of the typical electrical distribution system and
provide examples of hazardous conditions to look for during an
inspection. Attendees will also learn about how positive and
negative factors found during the inspection can be used to help
evaluate the risk quality of the property. The session will be
helpful to those working in loss control, underwriting or claims
who want to broaden their knowledge on this common exposure.
Top Three Session Ideas
Tools or tips you learned from this session and can apply back
at the office.
1.
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2.
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3.
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Electrical Session Outline
Overview Electric Utility Service
• The Grid • Typical Farm Electrical Distribution? • 200 Amp
Electrical Service • Industry Standards for Farm Electrical
Service
Electrical Hazards
• Electrical Arcing • Barn Fire Stats • Top Causes of Electrical
Distribution Equipment Damage • Electrical Hazards
o Power Surge o Power Sags o Service Panels, Switchgear,
Transformers, Motors, etc. o Electrical Wire or Cable Insulation o
Electrical - General o Dust o Corrosion
Deficiencies and Exposures on the Farm
• Electrocution Hazards • What Makes it Easier to Determine This
is 60 Amp Service? • 60 Amp Electrical Service Cannot Meet the
Demand for Today’s Household Electrical
Equipment • What Size is This Service? • Service Meters •
Broken/Unsecured Conduit • Electrical Panels • Corrosion • Poor
Environment • Double Tapping/Double Lugging • Knock-Outs and Clamps
• Animals • Cables and Wiring • Tree Trouble • Knob and Tube Wiring
• Aluminum Wire • Extension Cords • Electric Fences • Stray Voltage
• Lighting Fixtures • Electric Motors • Generator Sets
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Risk Quality
• Electrical Equipment Should be Kept… • Risk Quality Inspection
Points
o Electrical Panels o Cables and Wiring o Motors and
Generators
• Electrical Panels & Switchgear Risk Indicators
Q & A
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Electrical Hazards On The Farm
Dirk Smith, Operations V.P.Engineering ManagerMutual Boiler
Re
John R. Hudock, ARM, AFISEngineering Exposure AnalystMutual
Boiler Re
Ohm’s Law?
V(Voltage) = I(Current) x R(Resistance)
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 1 of 24
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Agenda
Electric Utility service
The hazard of electrical systems
Deficiencies and exposures on the farm
Risk quality identification
The Grid
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Smith Page 2 of 24
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Typical Farm Electrical Distribution?
200 Amp Electrical Service
Manual disconnect switch
240 volt service cables
Power from Utility Co
Bonding jumper to ground wire
Meter
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 3 of 24
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NEC Article 547, NEC 2011 Handbook (NFPA 70)
Authority Having Jurisdiction (permits, inspection)
Utility Company
OSHA 1928 (Lockout/Tagout)
Industry Standards for Farm Electrical Service
Electrical Hazards
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 4 of 24
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Electrical Arcing
Barn Fire Stats
Source: NFPA, 2012
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 5 of 24
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Top Causes of Electrical Distribution Equipment Damage
Electrical HazardsPower Surge Utility Induced Lightning Strike
(direct or indirect)
Power Sags Utility Induced Power Line Contact with Tree
Branch
Service Panels, Switchgear, Transformers, Motors etc. Loose wire
connections Vibration (from nearby equipment) Broken or detached
conduit Oversized fuses or circuit breakers 60 Amp electrical
service No lightning arrestor or SPD Aluminum wire to copper
terminal connects Incorrect outdoor NEMA enclosure (service panels,
MCC’s) Nesting (rodents, bees, birds) Missing knock-outs (moisture,
dust, vermin) Fuses replaced with objects (copper pipe, stacked
pennies, steel bolt)
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 6 of 24
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Electrical Hazards
Electrical – General Undersized electric wire Improper
electrical installation (inexperienced electrician) Extension cords
substituted for permanent receptacle wiring Stray voltage Lack of
electrical ground system (2-prong plug receptacles, power tools)
Light fixtures in storage areas unprotected against breakage (fire)
Knob and tube wiring Incorrect electric motor service duty (TEFC vs
ODP)
Electrical Wire or Cable Insulation Mechanical stress (e.g.
pulling, tugging, hanging weight of fixtures) Mechanical damage
(knick, gouge, stretch, kink, pinch) Chemical exposure Prolonged UV
/sunlight exposure Age related (normal deterioration) Animals chew
on electrical wire insulation
Dust Grain/Grass chaff Dry poultry litter Mineral feed Dry
powder chemicals (e.g. fertilizer) Dry soil (carried by wind; drawn
from outside by ventilation fans) Cob webs
Corrosion Normal atmospheric humidity Hay and Straw storage in
barn Washing/Cleaning/Sanitizing activities Water leaks (building,
piping, ventilation openings) Close proximity to manure
pits/lagoons Farm animal/Poultry excrement Recessed electrical
panels in exterior walls, especially masonry
Electrical Hazards
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Smith Page 7 of 24
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Deficiencies and Exposures
Electrocution Hazards
Farm machinery contact with overhead power lines
Absence of grounding (K&T electrical systems, 60 amp
electrical systems)
Overloaded circuits (over-fusing, unresponsive circuit
breakers)
Damaged wire insulation
Center Pivot Irrigation Systems (moisture, improper
grounding)
Pond Pumps (damaged wire insulation)
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 8 of 24
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What makes it easier to determine this is 60 Amp Service?
Conduit ≤ 1” diameter
Round Meter enclosure (no box)
Age of home
2 wire service(120 Volts)
60 Amp electrical service cannot meet the demand for today’s
household electrical
equipment…
Hair Dryer Garage Door Opener Sink Waste Disposal Coffee Maker
Toaster Oven Microwave Dishwasher A/C Units Hand-Held Power Tools
Water Well Pump TV’s Computer Devices Portable Heating Appliances
Bigger Refrigerators/Freezers
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 9 of 24
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What Size is this Service?
Conduit > 1” diameter
Round Meter enclosure (no box)
exposed cable(water ingress)
exposed cable
100 Amp Service Meter
discolored metal(corrosion)
Service Meters
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 10 of 24
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Deteriorated cable insulation with resulting electrical
arcing
Service Meters
Broken/Unsecured Conduit
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Smith Page 11 of 24
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Electrical Panels
Electrical Arcing
Obsolete Wiring
Oversized Fuses
Electrical Panels
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Smith Page 12 of 24
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Electrical Panels
Missing Dead Front Panel
Ground Wire (bare), and Neutral Wire have common connection
The 2 “Hot” Wires bypass the circuit breakers
Corrosion
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Smith Page 13 of 24
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Poor Environment
Double Tapping/Double Lugging
2013 NAMIC Agricultural Risk Inspection School - Hudock &
Smith Page 14 of 24
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Knock-Outs and Clamps
Animals
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Smith Page 15 of 24
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Cables and Wiring
Tree Trouble!
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Smith Page 16 of 24
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Knob and Tube Wiring
Aluminum Wire
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Smith Page 17 of 24
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Extension Cords
Electric Fences
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Smith Page 18 of 24
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Stray Voltage
Lighting Fixtures
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Smith Page 19 of 24
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Electric Motors
Generator Sets
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Smith Page 20 of 24
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Risk Quality
Electrical Equipment Should Be Kept.....
CLEAN - good housekeeping, no combustibles present
COOL - air conditioned or well ventilated room
DRY - low humidity and moisture, no signs of water
TIGHT - sealed penetrations, tight connections
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Smith Page 21 of 24
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Electrical Panels
Clean, cool, dry, tight!!
Panels must have at least a ¼” air space between the mounting
surface and enclosure
Panels should not be recessed into exterior walls as
condensation causes accelerated corrosion
Panel doors should be closed. There should be at least 3 feet of
clearance in front to allow doors to be opened a full 90°
The space around an electric panel should not be used for
storage.
The main service disconnect should be mounted on a
fire-resistant surface.
Risk Quality Inspection Points
Electrical Panels
Unused knock-out ports should not be left open (receptacles
also)
Any evidence of arcing within panel should be investigated
Annual servicing by a qualified electrician is a key loss
prevention factor
Machinery control panels should be kept free of dust, dirt and
moisture
If type 1 or 2 surge protection devices (SPDs) are installed on
either the line or load side of the service disconnect, the
potential for electrical damage and fire from utility power and
transient voltage surges is greatly reduced.
Risk Quality Inspection Points
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Smith Page 22 of 24
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Cables and Wiring
The utility electrical service line to a structure should be at
least 10′ off the ground
Ensure tree branches are adequately trimmed away from utility
lines
Cable and conduit penetrations are sealed and in good
condition
Cables and wiring are properly secured and fastened in place
No visual evidence of cuts, gouges, cracking, or missing
insulation
Knob and Tube – wire insulation intact, especially at knob
connections
Aluminum Wiring – no solid aluminum wiring connected to breakers
or bus bar inside main electrical service panel
Risk Quality Inspection Points
Motors and Generators
Generator battery posts and terminal connections cleaned
regularly
Generator switchgear should be visually inspected for clean,
cool, dry, tight
No signs of overheating (paint on motor/generator casing is
discolored or blistered)
Motor and generator cooling vents are clear of dust and
debris
Ensure that wire conduit or Romex is not broken or detached, and
that the green ground wire is intact and in good condition
Insulation resistance (megger) testing of motors done
annually
Risk Quality Inspection Points
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Smith Page 23 of 24
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Electrical Panels & Switchgear Risk Indicators
Favorable Factors Unfavorable Factors
ENVIRONMENT · Cool, well ventilated · Panels exposed to
excessive heat· No storage around electrical rooms and panels ·
Dirty/dusty environment· Dry, no signs of water or moisture ·
Humid, corrosive environment· Panels and wiring free of dirt/dust
buildup · Combustible storage near panels
OPERATING CONDITIONS · Light electrical loads, within capacity ·
Circuits overloaded· No abnormal noise, vibration, leaks · Breakers
or fuses undersized· Wiring & cables secured and supported ·
Noticeable noise, vibration, cracks
· Panel doors missing
AGE & HISTORY · New with key equipment less than 20 years
old · Electrical panels/wiring over 30 years old· Up to date
electrical studies and diagrams · System changes/additions without
updates· No history of failures · History of electrical
problems
MAINTENANCE · Annual electrical maintenance contract · Breakdown
maintenance only· Batteries in good condition, chargers working ·
No records are available· Infrared scans performed
OPERATORS · Knowledgeable, qualified person on site · No person
knowledgeable with electrical system· Has authority to isolate
equipment · No person responsible for maintaining equipment
SAFETY DEVICES · Adequate circuit protection installed · Circuit
protection not installed or missing· Circuit breakers tested and
calibrated · Devices not designed for load/use· Surge protection
device installed
Questions?
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Smith Page 24 of 24
Hudock and Smith FINALHudock & Smith FINALSession
Outline
Hudock & Smith FINAL