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Electrical Safety Blog
Learn about the latest electrical safety, compliance and maintenance best practices.
Written by Guidant engineers and electrical training experts.
Electrical Safety


Safety Made Simple With a Proving Unit
A better way to verify absence of voltage It’s easy to trust a familiar tool, especially one you use every day. But even the most reliable voltmeter can fail without warning, so it's important to know what to do if it happens. Risks of Voltmeter Failure A damaged lead, a wrong setting, or an internal fault can turn a routine task into a life-threatening situation. Many shocks, arc flashes, and electrocutions have occurred because a voltmeter gave a false “zero” reading — indi

Brian Hall
5 days ago3 min read


Why Expert Oversight Matters in Arc Flash Compliance
NEC 2026 Section 110.16 update series As companies rush to meet the expanded labeling requirements in NEC 2026 Section 110.16 , many electrical contractors ask this question: “Do you handle arc flash calculations in-house, or bring in an expert?” We've heard it time and again: "do we really need an arc flash analysis in (x) scenario?", and this question gives us pause. Many do not realize that “figuring it out” using software or online tools is far from easy . And when it com

Jeff Kershner
Nov 33 min read


Can You Trust That Arc Flash Sticker?
NEC 2026 Section 110.16 update series You see an arc flash label on a piece of equipment — it looks professional, durable, and official. But can you trust the numbers printed on it? As the NEC 2026 Section 110.16 update expands labeling requirements , more equipment will carry arc flash stickers. Unfortunately, not all of them are based on valid engineering data. A label applied without proper calculations is worse than useless, because it gives a false sense of safety. This

Jeff Kershner
Oct 274 min read


NEC 2026 Section 110.16 Expands Arc-Flash Labeling Requirements
NEC 2026 Section 110.16 update series The 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) introduces major updates to Section 110.16 – Arc-Flash Hazard Marking, broadening the range of electrical equipment that must display arc-flash hazard labels. a Guidant Power arc flash label Hazard Labels Now Required on a Wider Variety of Equipment In previous NEC editions, labeling was only required on service equipment or feeder-supplied equipment rated 1,000 amps or higher. Under

Brian Hall
Oct 203 min read


Infrared Inspections: Your First Line of Defense Against Electrical Failures
Most electrical failures provide warning signs before they happen — but they are invisible to the naked eye. Infrared thermography makes...

Steve Oliver
Oct 133 min read


No Room for Mistakes: Managing Human Error in Electrical Safety
(A Guide for Leaders and Safety Pros) With electrical safety, mistakes are rarely minor. Unlike many other workplace risks, electrical errors often allow no second chances. A small lapse in judgment can result in a severe injury, equipment damage, or even a fatality. That’s why NFPA 70E® emphasizes the role of human error in electrical incidents and requires employers to account for it in risk assessments. And it’s why facility and operations leaders must do more than “check

Brian Hall
Oct 64 min read


Why Resetting a Tripped Breaker Without Testing First Is a Serious Mistake
Resetting a tripped breaker might feel like a simple task — but it can be one of the most dangerous actions an electrician takes. In one...

Brian Hall
Sep 293 min read


Swapping Stories: Safety and the Power of Memory
Before I ever understood electricity, I understood fear and loss. When I was a young boy in Maine, my dad was helping my grandfather put...

Steve Oliver
Sep 224 min read


The ROI of Safety: Why Electrical Safety Programs Are Smart Business
When budgets get tight, safety programs often get pushed to the back burner. corporate executives discussing safety budgets Arc flash...

Jeff Kershner
Sep 154 min read


Beyond the 40 Cal/cm² Myth: What You Must Know About High-Energy Arc Flash and Arc Blast Hazards
For years, a persistent myth has circulated in the electrical safety world: “Anything above 40 cal/cm² will kill you instantly.” a...

Jeff Kershner
Sep 85 min read


Stop. Think. Report. Building a Culture That Learns from Close Calls
No injuries. Two breakers tripped. A faint whiff of smoke. Worker reporting a near-miss incident That’s how close one recent incident...
Brian Hall & Jeff Kershner
Sep 14 min read


How Good Luck Kills: The Electrical Safety Illusion
While electrical accidents are rare, their consequences can be severe. They have one of the highest fatality rates of all industrial accidents, and can bring huge costs in repair and downtime.

Paul Decker
Aug 254 min read


He Followed NFPA 70E® — That’s Why He Went Home Safe
Real story. Real risk. The right precautions made all the difference. We buckle our seatbelt not because we expect to crash, but because...

Jeff Kershner
Aug 182 min read


Why OSHA Isn’t Enough — And Why Safety Still Matters Even Amid Likely Budget Cuts
Proactive assessment protects your people and your business, it prevents injuries or fatalities, and also avoids costly downtime.

Brian Hall
Aug 113 min read


Buying PPE: Be Careful of Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Why The Gloves You Bought Online Might Be Putting Your Team at Risk During a recent electrical safety training session, a student...

Brian Hall
Aug 42 min read


Which Electrical Safety Class Is Right for Your Team?
How to determine which Electrical Safety Training is best for your team? Not everyone in your facility faces the same electrical risks. Some employees might only use extension cords, while others regularly open energized panels. All of them need to be trained appropriately for the work they do and the hazards they may encounter.

Brian Hall
Jul 73 min read


Why Might One Motor Control Bucket Have a Different Arc Flash Label?
When customers see a different label on one MCC door, they often question whether it's an error. Beware it may not be a mistake but may indicate the presence of a component that increases the arc flash hazard.

Jeff Kershner
Jun 302 min read


Hiring an Electrician Doesn’t Outsource Your Responsibility for Safety
Hiring a contractor doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for electrical safety; it means your responsibility just got bigger.

Adam Brooks
Jun 233 min read


How to Choose the Right Electrical Safety Trainer
If you’re wondering what to look for in an electrical safety trainer, this article is for you.

Adam Brooks
Jun 163 min read


Why is 480V so dangerous?
480V systems are among the most dangerous when it comes to arc flash. It’s not just the voltage—it’s the perfect combination of high fault current and sustained clearing time that makes 480V the “sweet spot” for serious incidents. Learn what makes it so hazardous and how to protect your team.

Jeff Kershner
Jun 93 min read
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