Earlier this month, more than 50 representatives from 10 electric co-ops attended a seminar provided by Utility Training Services Inc. regarding updates to the National Electrical Safety Code. The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives hosted the event at its state-of-the-art training facility in Palmyra, Va.
Often affecting several departments within an electric co-op, information provided in the update is critical in maintaining and operating a safe utility system, while improving reliability. UTS instructor Mickey Gunter led the diverse group of co-op professionals in discussing all important code issues from safety to design to construction.
Gunter is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology and retired Georgia Power Company engineer with more than 40 years of experience in distribution construction and engineering design, standards and training. He is an industry expert on NESC rules and interpretations.
Attendees appreciated the real-life examples of code violations and insight into the code development process. “Working for a utility, it’s important for us to keep up with the code changes,” said Tony Rutherford, manager of substation and system protection for Delaware Electric Cooperative. “Rather than spending time going through and comparing the code, this class helped provide a summary of all the updates and went into detail on how these changes will affect our work. Having the knowledge of the updates and how to apply them will help with the efficiency of our designs and will also help ensure safety after it’s built.”
“We’re pleased to be able to offer training sessions like this to our member co-ops in a thoughtfully designed facility,” said Alan Scruggs, VMDAEC vice president of safety, training and education. “The new year will bring even more opportunities for employees to further their career development.”
Updated every five years, the 2023 edition of the NESC was released on Aug. 1, 2022, and it will become effective on Feb. 1, 2023.
– Report by VMD Association