Electrical Safety Requirements for Tester Facilities

DOE-HDBK-1092-98

9.11 ELECTRICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTER

FACILITIES

The following is not intended to encompass all of the electrical design requirements which must be

considered in planning electrical systems for facilities intended to accommodate testers. The

information provided should, however, provide a guide to understanding for personnel who would

be tasked with specifying facility electrical safety necessary to the testing environment.

Provisions for an adequate number of receptacle outlets to accommodate cord and plug connected

equipment, testers, etc., in a facility must also be considered in specifying the electrical requirements.

For equipment that cannot tolerate power interruption, consideration should be given to the use of

a continuously operating or standby uninterruptable power supply (UPS) or a generator.

9.11.1 AMPACITY OF FACILITY WIRING AND DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT

Consideration must be given to accommodating the anticipated load demand which may occur as a

result of power supplied to the various possible combinations of electrical equipment connected to

a particular branch circuit (See Section 9.4).

9.11.2 FACILITY GROUNDING AT REMOTE SITES

Proper grounding is considered crucial to providing the safest possible electrical installation, from

the standpoint of maximizing the safety of facility occupants and minimizing property damage and

loss.

Designs for equipment to be used at remote sites must take into consideration the same grounding

issues which may not be accommodated due to the lack of permanent facility power wiring (See

Section 9.3).

9.11.3 FACILITY LIGHTNING PROTECTION

Lightning protection is required for facilities which will house enclosed electrical/ electronic

equipment while such equipment is involved with radioactive, explosive, and similarly hazardous

materials. (See Section 5.1)

9.11.4 SURGE PROTECTION

In addition to facility lightning protection, the effects of surges resulting from lightning strikes to

power distribution systems may be lessened by the use of lightning arrestors and suppressors

installed at strategic points in the supply system to the facility. An assessment is necessary,

addressing the consequences of lightning-induced surges, in order to determine the degree to which

protection should be provided.

For additional information see Section 9.6.1.

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