Often, access to the electrical equipment area or specific procedures related to electrical equipment may be needed. For certain items, an energized electrical work permit is not required.

Testing, troubleshooting and measuring voltage are among those items exempted from the energized electrical work permit. Visual inspection and thermography of the electrical equipment or simply passing through the electrical equipment room are also exempt from needing an energized electrical work permit as long as the restricted approach boundary is not crossed.

Below is a sample of NFPA 70E. For the complete section, see the actual NFPA 70E text at NFPA.ORG. Once there, click on the free access link to NFPA 70E.

130.2(C) Exemptions to Work Permit. Electrical work shall be permitted without an energized electrical work permit if a qualified person is provided with and uses appropriate safe work practices and PPE in accordance with Chapter 1 under any of the following conditions:

(1) Testing, troubleshooting, or voltage measuring

(2) Thermography, ultrasound, or visual inspections if the restricted approach boundary is not crossed

(3) Access to and egress from an area with energized electrical equipment if no electrical work is performed and the restricted approach boundary is not crossed

(4) General housekeeping and miscellaneous non-electrical tasks if the restricted approach boundary is not crossed.