Tools & Safety
Arc flash, test-before-touch, meter ratings and the habits that keep electricians safe.
Arc Flash and NFPA 70E: Why We Turn It Off First
An arc flash can release intense heat and pressure in a split second. Here is what it is, how approach boundaries work, and why de-energizing is the first choice.
Read article →2 min readMeter CAT Ratings: Choosing a Tester That Won’t Fail You
CAT II, CAT III, CAT IV: what the measurement categories on a multimeter mean, and why voltage alone doesn’t tell you if a meter is safe for the job.
Read article →Local rules decide. These articles explain general ideas and point to the code sections we use. They are not legal or engineering advice and don’t replace the code itself. California adopts the NEC with its own amendments, cities and counties can add more, and the local inspector (the AHJ, or authority having jurisdiction) has the final say on any job. Read the code free at NFPA’s free access page.