Troubleshooting: The 'Acceptable' Energized Work: Copyright Material IEEE Paper No. ESW2021-08

Troubleshooting, testing, and tuning are words synonymous with energized work due to infeasibility (NFPA 70E 130.2(A)(2)). As such, the hazards associated with troubleshooting are often assumed to be a fact of life one must accept. These hazards are even often overlooked while performing such work. Energized troubleshooting presents significant added challenges to safe work, as it represents the knowledge-based mode, often with error precursors built in when the non-working equipment is holding up production. This paper examines the troubleshooting subject with suggestions on safer troubleshooting work methods for existing installations along with design considerations that follow the hierarchy of controls to reduce the hazards for new and modified installations.