At what voltage requires approval for energized equipment?

The requirement for approval for energized equipment generally falls under electrical safety standards that delineate safe working practices. The threshold of 30 volts is significant because it is commonly recognized as the voltage level at which electric shock can begin to pose a risk to human safety.

At or above this voltage, safety protocols become critical, and workers must take specific precautions to prevent accidents when working on or near energized equipment. This includes but is not limited to using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring that proper lockout/tagout procedures are in place.

The lower voltage options, such as 10, 20, and 40 volts, are typically considered to pose less risk of electric shock under specific circumstances. However, 30 volts is recognized by safety standards (such as those published by OSHA and the National Electric Code) as a minimum threshold that activates the requirement for additional safety measures and supervision. This is why the approval for working on energized equipment is necessary at this voltage level.