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Berkeley Lab

Klein NCVT-1 Voluntary Safety Recall

June 11, 2021

Klein has issued a recall on some of their NCVT-1 non-contact voltage testers where an operator error (keeping the on/off button depressed) would erroneously indicate that the tool is ready to detect voltage by providing a green light at the tip of the tool when it in fact is not ready.

Klein Tools NCVT-1 Non-Contact Voltage Tester, 50-1000 Volts

Most of the non-contact voltage detectors (proximity detectors)  that are being used at the laboratory are made by Fluke.  Proximity detectors of this type are widely available and many people use them at home. Klein is a well known manufacturer of electrical tools for industry.
Those in possession of Klein NCVT should verify the model of the detector; if the detector is an NCVT-1 then look at the corresponding date codes and follow the manufacturer instructions available here.
If the Laboratory has provided you with one of the detectors included in this recall, please let your DSC and ESC representative know so that we can keep track at the Laboratory of potential impact/extent of conditions.

 

Fluke Recalls T110, T130 and T150 Two-Pole Voltage Testers

Please be on the lookout for Fluke T-Pole Testers (Fluke T110, T130, and T150, pictured below). These have been recalled because they may fail to indicate that live voltage is present. If you see any of these, take them out of service immediately and turn in to the Electrical Safety Group.

 

Link to the Fluke page: Recall notice

As a reminder, only those meters and testers listed in Appendix E of the Electrical Safety Manual are approved for ZVV. Fluke T-Pole Testers are not on the approved list.

Eaton Recalls 30-60A Heavy-Duty Safety Disconnect Switches

ISSUE:
We have been notified that certain types of Eaton Heavy-Duty Safety Disconnect Switches (30 and 60 Amp) may have a serious manufacturing defect. The switch may fail to disconnect power even when the handle is pulled down to the off position. It should NOT be used for LOTO and will have to be replaced or repaired.
At this point, the focus is identifying if and where we may have these switches. Repairs will be effected in a planned fashion through Facilities.
 
Detailed information can be found here: Eaton link


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ACTION:
  1. Be on the lookout for (BOLO) any 30 or 60 Amp Eaton Switch that has a similar appearance to the one in the attached photo.
  2. If found, email electricalsafety@lbl.gov with information about the location. We will schedule an immediate visit by a qualified person to determine whether this switch is subject to the recall.
  3. DO NOT RELY on any 30 or 60 A switch for LOTO unless you are certain it is not part of the affected units. Instead, LOTO upstream at the breaker panel.

Schneider Recalls General Duty Safety Switches

Safety Alert

Schneider Electric Recalls Square D Brand General Duty Safety Switches

Schneider electric has recalled their Square D Brand General Duty 30 & 60A, 120/240 Volt 2-phase and 3-phase NEMA 3R Safety Switches. The power can stay on even when the switch is in the “OFF” position. This poses a serious shock or electrocution hazard. The recalled switches were manufactured from January 1, 2014 through January 18, 2018. See photo below for an example switch affected by the Safety Alert. …Read more

Extech Recalls Digital Clamp Meters Due to Electrocution Hazard (Multiple Models)

The meters can fail to give an accurate voltage reading, resulting in the operator falsely believing the electrical power is low or off, posing an electrocution hazard. Extech received two reports of clamp meters displaying an incorrect voltage reading. No injuries have been reported. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled digital clamp meters and contact Extech for a free replacement meter.

The models include:

  • EX650 and 655
  • MA160
  • MA61
  • MA63

These models are all AC/DC clamp meters, which are electrical testing devices that measure AC/DC voltage, resistance, capacitance, frequency, temperature, continuity, and diode. Serial numbers in the following format are included in the recall: R15XXXXXXX to R17XXXXXXX. Only serial numbers in this range are included in the recall. The “EXTECH” logo and the model number are printed on the front of the unit and the serial number on the back. The digital clamp meters are green and orange.

Link to DOE Article

Link to Consumer Products Safety Commissions (CSPC) Article

 

 

 

DJL Portable Cabinet Luminaire Poses Shock Hazard

Intertek posts Public Notice warning users of select ETL listed portable cabinet light potential shock hazard. Recommends users return products listed to manufacturer, DJL electric devices. Click Here for details. The complex has had an issue with this light as well. If you have a light with the same model number listed, notify your divisional Electrical Safety Advocate or Electrical Safety Officer listed on the Lab’s Electrical Safety Website (Contact Us).

Operating Experience Level 3 – Frequent Hazardous Electrical Energy Related Events

OE-3 ImageThis Operating Experience Level 3 (OE-3) document provides information about a safety concern related to frequent hazardous electrical energy events during work at Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. In the first 5 months of 2016, three dozen hazardous electrical energy events were reported to the Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS), with some sites indicating that additional hazardous electrical energy events were entered into site systems because they were considered “sub-ORPS.” Most of the reports (32 of 36, or 88%) indicated that no corrective actions (CAs) had been assigned.

The potential danger of contact with electricity cannot be overstated. If CAs are not assigned every time a seemingly insignificant electrical event occurs, there is the real possibility that the next event may be fatal.

Click here OE-3 2016-06 to download this alert.

May is Electrical Safety Month at DOE

The electrical industry established May as National Electrical Safety Month many years ago, and, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), May is the time to begin year-round electrical safety awareness efforts. This year, the Department of Energy (DOE), through the efforts of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG), is planning to participate by focusing on “Look Alike Equipment” throughout the month.

In 2010, a sharp increase in electrical safety events beginning in 2009 caught the interest of the EFCOG Electrical Safety Subgroup (EFCOG ESSG), so the subgroup chartered a Hazardous Energy Control (HEC) subcommittee to analyze the events.  The subcommittee’s efforts ultimately resulted in the May 2011 Electrical Safety Month campaign for the DOE Complex. The subcommittee continues this year with another effort focused on look alike equipment. Use the links below for this year’s materials.  We encourage you to disseminate this information among your fellow workers.

PowerPoint (Click to download)
Look-A-Like 01PPTX Look-A-Like 02PPTX
Summary of DOE Complex Electrical Events Involving Look Alike – 2016   The Dangers of Look Alike Equipment – 2016
Posters (Click to download)
Look-A-Like Poster 01 Look-A-Like Poster 02
Look-A-Like Poster 03 Stop the Confusion 01
Stop the Confusion 02

Additional Information Available

This year’s ESFI campaign features Electrical Safety Illustrated magazine, which discusses timely electrical safety issues and equips consumers with the knowledge to protect their homes, families, and communities from electrical hazards.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates 47,700 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments each year involve some type of electrical failure or malfunction as a factor contributing to ignition. These fires result in 418 civilian deaths, 1,570 civilian injuries, and $1.4 billion in direct property damage.  Awareness and education are critical to reduce the incidence of electrical fires, and ESFI sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May to educate the public in order to reduce the number of electrically related fires, fatalities, injuries and property loss.

Many electrocutions and home fires can be prevented by understanding basic electrical safety principles and by taking simple precautions.  This year’s campaign features a collection of easily sharable safety resources that provide a fundamental understanding of electrical safety to encourage everyone to use electricity and electrical equipment safely.

Electrical Safety Illustrated features content which includes resources that provide an illustrated guide that break downs the importance of arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), extension cord safety, Test Before Touch, and Lockout/Tagout.

Help champion the cause of minimizing electrically-related deaths and injuries by sharing this information with co-workers, friends and family, and by checking both your home and workplace for electrical hazards!

Electrical Safety Month ESFI website

Faulty Vornado Space Heater Recall and Space Heater Safety

Courtesy of Los Alamos National Laboratory:

On Thursday, January 7th, 2016 a Vornado Type 110 space heater at LANL failed and completely melted. This was a listed device and other Vornado models are thought to be safe.

Vornado has issued a recall on all Type 110 heaters manufactured in 2013. The year of manufacture is printed on the equipment label as shown in the picture attached.

Vornado Recall

For recalls on other space heaters, visit the CPSC webpage here.

Reminder on Space Heater Safety:

  • Assure that the space heater is listed by UL, TUV, ETL, or CSA (see label on bottom or side).
  • Always plug heater directly into facility receptacle, never into extension cords or relocatable power taps. Make sure the plug is not loose in the outlet.
  • Read and follow all manufacturer’s warnings on cord label and/or in manual.
  • If heater power cord or wall receptacle feels hot to the touch, discontinue use.
  • Unplug heater when no in use.
  • Avoid leaving heater running when unattended, in offices.
  • Place heater out of traffic and on a level, flat surface (carpet is ok).
  • Avoid placing heaters on furniture or countertops.
  • Keep front of heater 3 feet away from combustibles.
  • Do not operate damaged heater, if dropped, or with a damaged cord.
  • Do not run heater cord under carpet. Place cord out of foot traffic.
  • Do not use two heaters on the same circuit (e.g., in the same office area).
  • If a breaker trips in your area, contact your facility contact person.
  • NOTE: there is no need to test tiltover action. If it is listed and not recalled, it is ok. The fan may stay on, when turned face down, that is proper on certain settings.

See more information on space heater safety requirements at LBNL in PUB-3000 Chapter 12, Fire Prevention and Protection, WP I, Use of Portable Heating Devices.

Operating Experience Level 3 – Electrical Safety: Shocks

OE-3 2015-03_Page_1This Operating Experience Level 3 (OE-3) document provides information about a safety concern related to electric shocks workers have received while performing work at Department of Energy (DOE) facilities.

From January 1, 2012 through May 1, 2015, 249 reports were filed in the Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS) with Keyword 12C, Electrical Safety.

Click the document image to download this alert.

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