Standards Development and Regulations
Key standards and regulatory bodies involved include: National Electrical Code (NEC): • Article 726 in the 2023 NEC introduces Class 4 power circuits. • This addition to the NEC provides guidelines for the installation and use of FMP in electrical systems. • The NEC limits the voltage for Class 4 circuits to 450V Peak. Underwriters Laboratories (UL): • UL 1400-1 specifies standards for Class 4 fault-managed equipment- transmitters and receivers. • UL 1400-2 specifies requirements for Class 4 cables and connecting hardware. • Listing an FMP system as UL requires the combination of equipment and cable. Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS): • ATIS Technical Report 0600040 provides a framework for FMP performance and fault testing metrics. • This report limits voltage to 400V DC line-to-line, 200V DC line-to-ground. • It defines system-specific power transport cabling requirements. National Electrical Safety Code (NESC): • The NESC has recently approved code changes recognizing FMP for use in the communications space. National Electrical Manufactures Association (NEMA): • NEMA has formed a Limited Energy section, a technical group that focuses on Limited Energy technologies like FMP and PoE The development of Fault Managed Power has been accompanied by the creation of new standards and regulations to ensure safety and reliability. This process has involved multiple regulatory bodies and industry organizations, each contributing to the framework that governs FMP technology.
These standards define critical aspects of FMP, including:
Cable and Connector Requirements: Specifications for the cables and connectors used in FMP, including insulation thickness, conductor sizes, and manufacturing testing requirements. System Testing: Requirements for testing the TX, power transport cable, and RX as a complete system to ensure proper fault management.
Maximum Voltage Limits: these vary slightly between standards (450V DC per NEC, 400V DC line-to-line per ATIS TR). Fault Energy Transfer Limits: Standards specify the maximum amount of energy that can be transferred during a human contact fault event. Testing Procedures: Detailed procedures for testing FMP under various fault scenarios, including hand-to-hand and hand-to-feet contact situations.
Compliance with these standards ensures that FMP technology maintains a high level of safety while delivering enhanced power capabilities and the development of these standards has been crucial in enabling the safe deployment of FMP technology. By providing a clear framework for performance and safety requirements, these standards have paved the way for broader adoption of FMP across various industries.
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