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NFPA 79, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery

2021 NFPA 79 Standard - Current Edition
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  • Description

    To align with today's NEC®, the 2021 edition of NFPA 79, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, holds critical updates to the global benchmark for industrial machinery safety.

    To help prevent electrical incidents and unplanned shutdowns that could result in injury, damage, or loss, be prepared with the latest edition of NFPA 79, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery. This must-have companion to both the National Electrical Code®(NEC) and NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, is newly updated to contend with new technologies and their effects on electrical safety.

    Where you need essential protection for operators, equipment, facilities, and work-in-progress, NFPA 79 spells it out. Compliance is vital to reduce risks.

    The 2021 edition includes updates for requirements that deal with the full spectrum of equipment—from single-motored drill presses to complex automated manufacturing systems. Updates address concerns from the industry and key changes to companion codes and standards, including the following:

    • Requirements involving supply circuit disconnecting means, access, operations, and markings are enhanced.
    • Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) involving transients are revised.
    • Requirements on enclosure access and interlocking are changed.
    • Voltage limitations and rejection capabilities for attachment plugs in protective extra low voltage (PELV) systems are revised.
    • Language requiring surge-protection devices (SPDs) is updated.
    • The exception involving insulation monitoring for Class 2 circuits is changed.
    • Control system grounding requirements are updated.
    • Emergency stop devices are now to be listed.
    • Requirements for conductors and equipment supplied by power conversion equipment are updated.
    • References to 50 volts rms ac and 60 volts dc revised for clarity and consistency.

    Order NFPA 79, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, to help mitigate electrical hazards involving industrial machinery.

    The latest edition of NFPA 79, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, is essential for safety managers, electrical designers, engineers, installers, owners, AHJs, and industrial machinery manufacturers. (Print, 107 pp., 2021)

  • Table of Contents (2021 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 79 Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, 2021 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Application.
    1.4 Specific Provisions Other Than NFPA 79.
    1.5 Specific Provisions Not Made in Relation to NFPA 70.
    1.6 State of the Art.
    Chapter 2 Referenced Publications
    2.1 General.
    2.2 NFPA Publications.
    2.3 Other Publications.
    2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.
    Chapter 3 Definitions
    3.1 General.
    3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
    3.3 General Definitions.
    Chapter 4 General Requirements and Operating Conditions
    4.1 General Considerations.
    4.2 Electrical Components and Devices.
    4.3 Installation and Use of Listed or Labeled Equipment.
    4.4 Electrical Supply.
    4.5 Physical Environment and Operating Conditions.
    4.6 Transportation and Storage.
    4.7 Provisions for Handling.
    4.8 Installation and Operating Conditions.
    4.9 Available Fault Current.
    Chapter 5 Disconnecting Means
    5.1 Machine Supply Circuit and Disconnecting Means.
    5.2 Additional Disconnecting Means.
    5.3 Means for Removal of Power for Prevention of Unexpected Start-Up.
    Chapter 6 Protection from Electrical Hazards
    6.1 General.
    6.2 Basic Protection.
    6.3 Fault Protection.
    6.4 Protection by the Use of Protective Extra Low Voltage (PELV) or Class 2 Circuits.
    6.5 Protection Against Residual Voltages.
    6.6 Arc Flash Hazard Warning.
    Chapter 7 Protection of Equipment
    7.1 General.
    7.2 Overcurrent Protection.
    7.3 Overload Protection of Motors.
    7.4 Abnormal Temperature Protection.
    7.5 Protection Against Supply Interruption or Voltage Reduction and Subsequent Restoration.
    7.6 Overspeed Protection.
    7.7 Phase Sequence Protection.
    7.8 Protection Against Overvoltages Due to Lightning and Switching Surges.
    7.9 Power Factor Correction Capacitor Overcurrent Protection.
    Chapter 8 Grounding and Bonding
    8.1 General.
    8.2 Equipment Grounding Conductors and Bonding Jumpers.
    8.3 Control Circuits.
    8.4 Lighting Circuits.
    Chapter 9 Control Circuits and Control Functions
    9.1 Control Circuits.
    9.2 Control Functions.
    9.3 Protective Interlocks.
    9.4 Control Functions in the Event of Failure.
    Chapter 10 Operator Interface and Control Devices
    10.1 General.
    10.2 Pushbutton Actuators and Color Graphic Interface Devices.
    10.3 Indicator Lights and Icons of Color Graphic Interface Devices.
    10.4 Illuminated Pushbuttons.
    10.5 Rotary Control Devices.
    10.6 Start Devices.
    10.7 Devices for Stop and Emergency Stop.
    10.8 Devices for Emergency Switching Off.
    10.9 Displays.
    Chapter 11 Control Equipment: Location, Mounting, and Enclosures
    11.1 General Requirements.
    11.2 Location and Mounting.
    11.3 Degrees of Protection.
    11.4 Enclosures, Doors, and Openings.
    11.5 Spaces Around Control Cabinets and Compartments.
    Chapter 12 Conductors, Cables, and Flexible Cords
    12.1 General Requirements.
    12.2 Conductors.
    12.3 Insulation.
    12.4 Conductor Markings.
    12.5 Conductor Ampacity.
    12.6 Conductor Sizing.
    12.7 Conductors and Cables Used for Flexing Applications.
    12.8 Cords.
    12.9 Special Cables and Conductors.
    Chapter 13 Wiring Practices
    13.1 Connections and Routing.
    13.2 Identification of Conductors.
    13.3 Wiring Inside Enclosures.
    13.4 Wiring Outside Enclosures.
    13.5 Raceways, Support Systems (Cable Supports), Connection Boxes, and Other Boxes.
    Chapter 14 Electric Motors and Associated Equipment
    14.1 General Requirements.
    14.2 Conductors Supplied from Separate Disconnects.
    14.3 Reserved.
    14.4 Motor Dimensions.
    14.5 Motor Mounting and Compartments.
    14.6 Criteria for Selection.
    14.7 Protective Devices for Mechanical Brakes.
    14.8 Direction Arrow.
    14.9 Marking on Motors.
    14.10 Motor Controllers.
    Chapter 15 Accessories and Lighting
    15.1 Accessories.
    15.2 Local Lighting of the Machine and Equipment.
    Chapter 16 Marking and Safety Signs
    16.1 General.
    16.2 Safety Signs for Electrical Enclosures.
    16.3 Function Identification.
    16.4 Machine Nameplate Data.
    16.5 Equipment Marking and Identification.
    Chapter 17 Technical Documentation
    17.1 General.
    17.2 Information to Be Provided.
    17.3 Requirements Applicable to All Documentation.
    17.4 Basic Information.
    17.5 Installation Diagram.
    17.6 Block (System) Diagrams and Function Diagrams.
    17.7 Circuit Diagrams.
    17.8 Operating Manual.
    17.9 Maintenance Manual.
    17.10 Parts List.
    Chapter 18 Testing and Verification
    18.1 General.
    18.2 Continuity of the Effective Ground-Fault Current Path.
    18.3 Insulation Resistance Tests.
    18.4 Voltage Tests.
    18.5 Protection Against Residual Voltages.
    18.6 Functional Tests.
    18.7 Retesting.
    Chapter 19 Servo Drives and Motors
    19.1 Overcurrent Protection for Drives and Servo Motors.
    19.2 Motor Overtemperature Protection.
    19.3 Servo Drive System Conductors.
    19.4 Contactor.
    19.5 Cable Shield.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Inquiry Form for the Electrical Equipment of Machines
    Annex C Examples of Industrial Machines Covered by NFPA 79
    Annex D Technical Documentation
    Annex E Device and Component Designations
    Annex F Electrical Enclosure Ratings: Type-Rating Versus IP-?Rating
    Annex G Kilowatt Outputs with Horsepower Equivalents
    Annex H Minimizing the Probability of Control Function Failure
    Annex I AWG Conductor Cross-Reference Table
    Annex J Electrical Terms Defined
    Annex K Informational References
  • How the NFPA Handbooks Differ from Codes and Standards

    THE NFPA HANDBOOKS DIFFER FROM CODES AND STANDARDS

    Ever wonder what the difference is between an NFPA® handbook and a code or standard? We’re glad you asked.

    NFPA codes and standards both provide requirements for achieving outcomes. Handbooks take a deeper dive, providing the full text of a code or standard as well as expert commentary and features such as graphics, decision trees, testing procedures, case studies, sample forms and checklists, and other helpful aids to give a better understanding of the reasoning behind the requirements and how to apply them.

    JUST REMEMBER:

    • A code or standard is a framework—a set of rules to follow with a goal to achieve a certain result
    • A handbook is a connector—linking requirements to application by helping you understand the reasoning behind a code or standard

    The simplest way to think about it is that codes and standards list the technical requirements while handbooks explain those requirements to clarify how to apply them.

  • Prior Editions

    2018 Edition

    In alignment with today's NEC®, the 2018 edition of NFPA 79 presents critical updates to the global benchmark for industrial machinery safety.

    Guard against electrical incidents and unplanned shutdowns that could result in injury, damage, or loss with the latest edition of NFPA 79, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery. This must-have companion to both the National Electrical Code® (NEC) and NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® is continuously updated to address new technologies and their impact on electrical safety.

    NFPA 79 spells out essential protection for operators, equipment, facilities, and work-in-progress. Compliance is vital to reduce risks.

    This edition presents the latest requirements for the full spectrum of equipment -- from single-motored drill presses to complex automated manufacturing systems. Updates address concerns from the industry and key changes to companion Standards.

    • To correlate with the NEC, "600 volts" is replaced with "1000 volts".
    • Revised and new definitions reflect terminology in use today, and changes throughout the Standard align with these definitions.
    • The new title for Chapter 5: Disconnecting Means clarifies that this chapter covers all the supply circuit conductor terminations on the machine.
    • A new requirement specifies that the main disconnecting means must be marked "machine supply circuit disconnect" if it supplies multiple disconnecting means on the machine.
    • New Exception No. 2 to 5.3.1.3 states that the machine supply circuit disconnecting means is permitted to be externally mounted up to 20 ft. (6 m) away.
    • A revision allows adjustable speed drives marked "suitable for output conductor protection" to have the rating of the short-circuit protective device (SCPD) determined by the drive's rated input current.
    • To correlate with the NEC, an added requirement in Section 7.8.1 requires a surge protection device (SPD).
    • Chapter 8's title is revised to include "Bonding."
    • Revisions to Chapter 8 clarify connection of the grounded conductor to the equipment grounding conductor; and that all parts of effective ground-fault current path must be capable of withstanding the highest thermal and mechanical stress that can be caused by fault currents.
    • Revisions in Chapter 11 clarify the peculiar working space condition of industrial machines and machine tools.

    All stakeholders need NFPA 79 to help mitigate electrical hazards involving industrial machinery.

    The latest edition of NFPA 79 is essential for safety managers, electrical designers, engineers, installers, owners, AHJs, and industrial machinery manufacturers. (Print, 106 pp., 2018)

    2015 Edition

    Update to the 2015 NFPA 79 -- the benchmark for industrial machinery safety and vital companion to the NEC® and NFPA 70E®.

    Guard against electrical incidents and unplanned shutdowns that could result in injury, damage, or loss with the 2015 edition of NFPA 79, Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery. Updated to address new technologies and to correlate with the National Electrical Code® (NEC) and NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, the 2015 NFPA 79 spells out essential protection for operators, equipment, facilities, and work-in-progress. This edition presents the latest requirements for the full spectrum of equipment -- from single-motored drill presses to complex automated manufacturing systems.

    Updates address concerns from the industry and key changes to companion Standards.

    • Requirements align with IEC 60204-1.
    • Section 6.6, Arc Flash Hazard Warning clarifies that the requirement is to warn, not to protect, qualified individuals of a potential arc flash hazard. This change aligns with the 2014 NEC revision to 110.16.
    • Conditions for "emergency stop" and "emergency switching off" are revised for Category 1 and Category 0 stops.
    • The rules have been clarified where separate supply sources are used.
    • Working space rules for enclosures that contain supply conductors have been revised to clarify that the requirements in 110.26 of the NEC apply.
    • Requirement for "width of the working space" has been revised to specify the opening into the control cabinet to help users avoid dangerous errors.

    All stakeholders need to help mitigate electrical hazards involving industrial machinery.

    The 2015 NFPA 79 is essential for safety managers, electrical designers, engineers, installers, owners, AHJs, and industrial machinery manufacturers. (Softbound, 98 pp., 2015)

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  • Also in NFPA 79: Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery