SafePath tables.
The reference set, on one page, in the order you actually reach for them. Summarised for field use — the published standard is the source of truth.
Everything on this page is the 2027 edition
Tables are cited under the 2027 numbering — Table 130.4(E)(a) for AC shock boundaries, 130.4(E)(b) for DC. Older material may use a different subdivision letter; that is prior-edition numbering. Values here are 2027.
§ Table 130.4(E)(a) — Shock approach boundaries, AC
| Nominal system voltage, phase to phase | Limited approach | Restricted — exposed movable conductor | Restricted — exposed fixed circuit part |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 50 V | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| 50 V – 150 V | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 3 ft 6 in (1.0 m) | Avoid contact |
| 151 V – 750 V | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 3 ft 6 in (1.0 m) | 1 ft 0 in (0.31 m) |
| 751 V – 5 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 3 ft 6 in (1.0 m) | 2 ft 1 in (0.63 m) |
| 5.1 kV – 15 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 5 ft 0 in (1.5 m) | 2 ft 2 in (0.65 m) |
| 15.1 kV – 36 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 6 ft 0 in (1.8 m) | 2 ft 7 in (0.77 m) |
| 36.1 kV – 46 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 8 ft 0 in (2.5 m) | 2 ft 10 in (0.84 m) |
| 46.1 kV – 72.5 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 8 ft 0 in (2.5 m) | 3 ft 4 in (1.0 m) |
| 72.6 kV – 121 kV | 10 ft 8 in (3.3 m) | 8 ft 0 in (2.5 m) | 3 ft 9 in (1.2 m) |
| 121.1 kV – 145 kV | 11 ft 0 in (3.4 m) | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 4 ft 4 in (1.3 m) |
| 145.1 kV – 169 kV | 11 ft 8 in (3.6 m) | 11 ft 8 in (3.6 m) | 4 ft 10 in (1.5 m) |
| 169.1 kV – 242 kV | 13 ft 0 in (4.0 m) | 13 ft 0 in (4.0 m) | 6 ft 8 in (2.1 m) |
| 242.1 kV – 362 kV | 15 ft 4 in (4.7 m) | 15 ft 4 in (4.7 m) | 11 ft 2 in (3.5 m) |
| 362.1 kV – 420 kV | 19 ft 0 in (5.8 m) | 19 ft 0 in (5.8 m) | 14 ft 0 in (4.3 m) |
| 420.1 kV – 550 kV | 19 ft 0 in (5.8 m) | 19 ft 0 in (5.8 m) | 16 ft 8 in (5.1 m) |
| 550.1 kV – 800 kV | 23 ft 9 in (7.2 m) | 23 ft 9 in (7.2 m) | 22 ft 7 in (6.9 m) |
- For single-phase systems above 250 V, select the range equal to the maximum phase-to-ground voltage × 1.732.
- "Exposed movable conductor" means a conductor whose position is not under the worker's control — typically overhead line conductors on poles.
- Restricted approach distances assume an elevation ≤ 900 m (3,000 ft); adjust above that.
- See 130.5(E) for the arc flash boundary — it is not in this table.
§ Table 130.4(E)(b) — Shock approach boundaries, DC
| Nominal potential difference | Limited approach | Restricted — movable | Restricted — fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 50 V | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| 50 V – 300 V | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 3 ft 6 in (1.0 m) | Avoid contact |
| 301 V – 1 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 3 ft 6 in (1.0 m) | 1 ft 0 in (0.3 m) |
| 1.1 kV – 5 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 5 ft 0 in (1.5 m) | 1 ft 5 in (0.5 m) |
| 5.1 kV – 15 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 5 ft 0 in (1.5 m) | 2 ft 2 in (0.7 m) |
| 15.1 kV – 45 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 8 ft 0 in (2.5 m) | 2 ft 9 in (0.8 m) |
| 45.1 kV – 75 kV | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 8 ft 0 in (2.5 m) | 3 ft 6 in (1.0 m) |
| 75.1 kV – 150 kV | 10 ft 8 in (3.3 m) | 10 ft 0 in (3.1 m) | 3 ft 10 in (1.2 m) |
| 150.1 kV – 250 kV | 11 ft 8 in (3.6 m) | 11 ft 8 in (3.6 m) | 5 ft 3 in (1.6 m) |
| 250.1 kV – 500 kV | 20 ft 0 in (6.0 m) | 20 ft 0 in (6.0 m) | 11 ft 6 in (3.5 m) |
| 500.1 kV – 800 kV | 26 ft 0 in (8.0 m) | 26 ft 0 in (8.0 m) | 16 ft 5 in (5.0 m) |
§ Table 130.5(C)(3) — Likelihood of an arc flash incident
| Task | Condition | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Reading a panel meter while operating a meter switch | Any | No |
| Infrared thermography and non-contact inspection outside the restricted approach boundary, no door or cover opened | — | No |
| Work on control circuits ≤ 125 V ac/dc, no other exposed equipment above 125 V, including opening hinged covers | — | No |
| Examination of insulated cable with no manipulation | — | No |
| DC: maintenance on a single battery cell or multi-cell units in an open rack | — | No |
| Battery equipment below 600 V where conductor separation exceeds 1 mm per volt | — | No |
| Operation of a breaker, switch, contactor or starter | Normal | No |
| Arc-resistant equipment, doors closed and secured, within rated fault current and clearing time, for racking and insertion tasks | — | No |
| Operation of a breaker, switch, contactor or starter | Abnormal | Yes |
| Operation of a breaker or switch the first time after installation or maintenance | — | Yes |
| AC: work on energized conductors or circuit parts, including electrical testing | Any | Yes |
| DC: work on energized series-connected battery cell conductors, including testing | — | Yes |
| Removal or installation of breakers or switches | — | Yes |
| Opening hinged doors, covers or bolted covers exposing bare energized parts, including DC battery terminal covers | — | Yes |
| Application of temporary protective grounding, after the voltage test | — | Yes |
| Work on exposed control circuits above 120 V | — | Yes |
| Insertion or removal of MCC starter buckets | — | Yes |
| Insertion or removal (racking) of breakers or starters from cubicles, doors open or closed | — | Yes |
| Insertion or removal of plug-in devices into or from busways | — | Yes |
Excerpt of the key rows. "Normal operating condition" per ' + m('110.2(B)') + ' Exception No. 1. Read the full table in the published standard.
§ Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) — Arc flash PPE categories, AC
| Equipment | Category | Arc flash boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Panelboards or other equipment ≤ 240 V | 1 | 19 in (485 mm) |
| Panelboards or other equipment > 240 V and ≤ 600 V | 2 | 3 ft (900 mm) |
| 600 V class MCC — fault ≤ 65 kA, clearing ≤ 0.03 s | 2 | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| 600 V class MCC — fault ≤ 42 kA, clearing ≤ 0.33 s | 4 | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| 600 V class switchgear and switchboards | 4 | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Other 600 V class equipment | 2 | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| NEMA E2 motor starters, 2.3 – 7.2 kV | 4 | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Metal-clad switchgear, 1 – 15 kV | 4 | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Metal-enclosed interrupter switchgear, 1 – 15 kV | 4 | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Other equipment 1 – 15 kV | 4 | 40 ft (12 m) |
| Arc-resistant equipment, doors closed and secured, within rating | N/A | N/A |
Two things to carry out of this table
The two MCC rows are the same equipment at two categories. The only difference is clearing time — and clearing time depends on maintenance.
For equipment ≤ 600 V protected by upstream current-limiting fuses or breakers rated 200 A or less, the category may be reduced by one — but never below Category 1.
§ Table 130.7(C)(15)(b) — Arc flash PPE categories, DC
Storage batteries, DC switchboards and other DC supply sources — excluding Article 320 capacitors — greater than 150 V and up to 600 V, based on a 2-second arc duration at a 455 mm (18 in) working distance.
| Available fault current | Category | Arc flash boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1.5 kA | 2 | 3 ft (900 mm) |
| 1.5 kA to less than 3 kA | 2 | 4 ft (1.2 m) |
| 3 kA to less than 7 kA | 3 | 6 ft (1.8 m) |
| 7 kA to less than 10 kA | 4 | 8 ft (2.5 m) |
§ Table 130.7(C)(15)(c) — PPE by category
| Category | Minimum arc rating | Key clothing and equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 cal/cm² (16.75 J/cm²) | AR shirt and pants or coverall; face shield or hood; hard hat; safety glasses or goggles (SR); hearing protection (ear canal inserts); leather, AR or rubber insulating gloves (SR); leather footwear (AN) |
| 2 | 8 cal/cm² (33.5 J/cm²) | AR shirt and pants or coverall; hood, or face shield plus balaclava; hard hat; safety glasses or goggles (SR); hearing protection; gloves (SR); leather footwear |
| 3 | 25 cal/cm² (104.7 J/cm²) | Full AR layered system — shirt, pants, coverall, suit jacket and pants as required; arc flash suit hood; gloves (SR); hard hat; safety glasses or goggles (SR); hearing protection; leather footwear |
| 4 | 40 cal/cm² (167.5 J/cm²) | Full AR layered system; arc flash suit hood; gloves (SR); hard hat; safety glasses or goggles (SR); hearing protection; leather footwear |
AN = as needed. AR = as required. SR = selection of one in the group required.
§ Table 130.5(G) — Incident energy analysis method
| Incident energy at the working distance | Required PPE |
|---|---|
| 1.2 – 12 cal/cm² | AR clothing with an arc rating ≥ the estimated incident energy; AR long-sleeve shirt and pants, coverall or arc flash suit (SR); AR face shield plus balaclava, or arc flash suit hood (SR); AR outerwear as needed; heavy-duty leather, AR or rubber insulating gloves with protectors (SR); hard hat; safety glasses or goggles (SR); hearing protection; leather footwear |
| Greater than 12 cal/cm² | AR clothing with an arc rating ≥ the estimated incident energy; AR shirt and pants, coverall or arc flash suit (SR); arc flash suit hood — no face-shield option; AR outerwear as needed; AR gloves or rubber insulating gloves with protectors (SR); hard hat; safety glasses or goggles (SR); hearing protection; leather footwear |
The practical difference between the bands
Above 12 cal/cm² a face shield and balaclava will not do — you need the hood. And plain heavy-duty leather gloves will not do — you need arc-rated gloves or rubber insulating gloves with protectors.
§ Tables 130.7(C)(7)(a) and (b) — Rubber insulating equipment
| Class | Max AC use voltage (rms) | Max DC use voltage (avg) | Min. protector / glove cuff distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 500 V | 750 V | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| 0 | 1,000 V | 1,500 V | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| 1 | 7,500 V | 11,250 V | 25 mm (1 in) |
| 2 | 17,000 V | 25,500 V | 51 mm (2 in) |
| 3 | 26,500 V | 39,750 V | 76 mm (3 in) |
| 4 | 36,000 V | 54,000 V | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Equipment | When to test |
|---|---|
| Gloves | Before first issue; every 6 months thereafter |
| Sleeves | Before first issue; every 12 months thereafter |
| Blankets | Before first issue; every 12 months thereafter |
| Covers | If insulating value is suspect |
| Line hose | If insulating value is suspect |
New insulating equipment must have been tested within the previous 12 months before being placed in service. Issued equipment is retested per this table.
The tables are free. The judgment is the class.
NFPA 70E 2027 qualified person training
Weekly, live, instructor-led — including the two-method rule and the table parameter limits that decide when neither method applies.
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