NFPA 79: Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, 2018 Edition

NFPA 79: Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, 2018 Edition

The NFPA 79 (2018 Edition) is the key U.S. electrical safety standard for industrial machinery, covering electrical/electronic components operating under 1000V, focusing on operator/equipment protection, and harmonizing with international standards like IEC 60204-1, with major updates in this edition including mandatory Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) for safety circuits. Published in late 2017, it’s a vital document for manufacturers and users, detailing requirements for wiring, grounding, color-coding (e.g., black for AC power, red for AC control), and safety functions to prevent electrical hazards in manufacturing environments.

Key Aspects of NFPA 79 (2018 Edition):

Scope: Applies to electrical/electronic parts of industrial machines (machine tools, assembly, etc.) operating at ≤1000V, referencing NEC Article 670.

Safety Focus: Protects operators, equipment, facilities, and work-in-progress by addressing overcurrent, cabling, safety circuits, and surge protection.

Major Change: Mandated the use of UL Listed SPDs for safety interlock circuits to guard against voltage surges.
Harmonization: Aligns U.S. standards with European IEC 60204-1 for global manufacturing.

Content: Covers everything from conductor identification (black for ungrounded AC, red for AC control, blue for DC) to grounding, bonding, and documentation.