NETA Setting the Standard

B y jill h o w e ll,

NETA

In the early 1970s, there were few

standards for electrical testing. NFPA
had authorized a committee in 1968
to create NFPA 70B, Recommended
Practice for Electrical Equipment
Maintenance. This standard addressed
electrical equipment maintenance
practices. It also touched on acceptance
testing, advised on equipment, type
of tests, and how often tests should
be performed.
However, it did not provide specifications
for standardized electrical testing procedures
for medium- to high-voltage systems or
qualification requirements for test technicians.
This meant that when electrical testing was
performed, it was conducted by a wide variety
of types of companies not necessarily specialists
in the field of electrical testing. This wide array
of companies with different electrically-related
disciplines created opportunity for inconsistent
test practices, acceptable test values, and
maintenance testing procedures. Additionally,
there were no standardized requirements for
a test technicians knowledge or experience,
leaving that to the end user to be defined.
Consequently, test methods and procedures,

the type of test equipment used, and safety

procedures were all conducted at the discretion
of the company providing the testing services.
It was during this time that a group of
electrical business owners in the United States
recognized the need to standardize field tests in
order to significantly improve safety and power
system reliability. In 1972, these pioneers
formed NETA, the National Electrical Testing
Association, later to become the InterNational
Electrical Testing Association, with the goal
of working with industry stakeholders to
create uniformity by establishing uniform
testing procedures for electrical equipment
and apparatus. Diligent work toward its
mission resulted in the publication of the
NETA Acceptance Testing Specifications in
1973 now known as ANSI-NETA Standard for
Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical
Power Equipment and Systems. In 1979, NETA
introduced the first Maintenance Testing
Specifications for Electrical Power Distribution
Equipment and Systems.
NETA had long set its sights on becoming
an accredited standards developer under
the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). In 1996 NETA earned designation as

an Accredited Standards Developer, and the

ANSI/NETA Standard for the Certification of
Electrical Testing Technicians was approved as
an American National Standard on March 15,
2000. Other smaller sections of the maintenance
document followed, with the entire ANSI/
NETA MTS becoming an approved ANSI
standard in 2007, and the ANSI/NETA ATS
in 2009.
The ANSI/NETA Standard for Certification
of Electrical Testing Technicians was created to
codify the experience, education, and training
requirements necessary for an individual to
obtain a level of competency as an electrical
test technician. Furthermore, NETA carefully
examines the qualification of each NETA
Accredited Company (NAC) in addition to
certifying the individual technician employed
by that NAC. This ensures that not only is the
test technician qualified to perform power
system and electrical equipment testing in
accordance with industry standards, but that
the company supporting those technicians
is also qualified, providing them with the
necessary correctly calibrated test equipment,
a safety program that is sound in practice and
meets minimum requirements, review of test
reports by a professional engineer, and that
guidelines are met with regard to the test
report provided at the conclusion of their
services. One aspect often overlooked is the
quality of the test report itself; although those
performing the tests need to be qualified, it
is important the technicians are also able to
deliver a quality report, since those reports
are used as the basis for continuance of
maintenance programs.
The NETA Certified Technician
is Uniquely Qualified
A NETA Certified Technician has earned a
Level III or Level IV NETA Certification in
electrical power systems testing and brings
the knowledge and field experience necessary
to perform testing as specified in the ANSI/
NETA standards. NETA also offers a Level II,
Assistant Technician designation.

ANSI/NETA standards require: the on-site crew

leader shall hold a current certification, Level III or
higher, in electrical testing. This certification shall be in
accordance with ANSI/NETA ETT-2010, Standard for
Certification of Electrical Testing Technicians.

The scope of the ANSI/NETA Standard for

Certification of Electrical Testing Technicians
specifies the following:
This standard establishes minimum
requirements for qualification and certification of the electrical testing technician
(ETT).
This standard details the minimum training and experience requirements for electrical testing technicians and provides
criteria for documenting qualifications
and certification.
This standard details the minimum
qualifications for an independent and
impartial certifying body to certify electrical testing technicians.
W hat it takes t o b ec o m e a
N E TA C ert if ied T ec hn ic ian
A NETA Certified Technician must advance
through three levels of classifications defined
in terms of the skills and knowledge required
in a given method or methods to perform

A Level IV NETA Certification means more today as the

industry moves more and more towards specifying testing
to ANSI/NETA Standards. Data Centers often demand they
have a Level IV NETA Certified Technician running the job.
Because of this, more of our technicians are working toward
getting their Level IV Certification. Its an accomplishment.
I know other Level IV technicians, and we all have a lot of
respect for each other.

Craig Griffin

Power Products Solutions, Inc.,

NETA Level IV Certified Technician since September 2006.

specific electrical testing maintenance activities.

Advancement is earned through the NETA
Certification Program requiring minimum
levels of training across 22 categories, specified
years of testing experience, and the passing of
electrical testing examinations at each level,
administered by a certifying body as defined by
ANSI/NETA ETT Standard for Certification of
Electrical Testing Technicians.
 is provides a brief overview of the NETA
Th
Test Technician Certification Levels and their
Respective Requirements:
ET T T rainee Level I Offers an entry
level gateway into the electrical testing industry
Duties include:
Providing assistance to higher level
technicians
Pretest and posttest sequence assembly
and disassembly
Performing simple measurements and /or
tests under direct supervision
Requirements:
High school diploma or general equivalency
diploma (GED)
ET T Assistant Level II Has sufficient
knowledge and experience to be qualified for
assuring the safety of him/her.
Duties include:
Performance of limited testing and service
work while requiring direct supervision
Requirements:
Two years of related experience in the
electrical testing industry
Minimum of 40 hours of training in safety
Safety knowledge including an
understanding of lockout/tagout
procedures and requirements, arc-flash
and shock hazard analyses, and other
facets of hazardous electrical energy
control procedures
Minimum of 160 hours of training related
to certification element categories
Pass an electrical testing Level II
examination administered by a certifying

To become a level IV NETA Certified

Technician you really need both field
experience and a firm understanding of
power engineering principles. Passing
the Level IV exam was challenging, as
challenging as passing my P.E. exam.
The most difficult section of the exam
deals with very specific scenarios
that demand theoretical as well as
practical, hands on experience.
In preparing for the exam, the study
guide provided by NETA was very
helpful. Reviewing the NETA Technical
Quizzes and the NETA Handbooks
were also good tools for review.
If youre going to lead other technicians
you dont ask people to do something
you dont do yourself. We recently
hired a level III technician, and he
is now inspired to earn his level IV
certification.

Daniel Hook

Western Electrical Services,

NETA Level IV Certified Technician
since January 2012

body as defined in this standard (See

ANSI/NETA ETT 2010, Annexes A, B,
and C contain specific requirements)
E TT C ertified l ev el III Is capable
of supervising ETT Trainee Level I and ETT
Assistant level II.
Duties include:
Performance and management of routine
and moderately complex tasks and projects.
Recordkeeping
Evaluation of test data
Responsible for the safety of others
Provide qualified guidance on
electrical testing
Perform electrical power switching
Requirements:
Minimum of five years of full-time

experience in electrical testing industry

Minimum of 24 hours of additional
documented safety training
Two hundred and forty hours of
additional documented training related
to the certification of element categories
for Level III
Pass an electrical testing Level III
examination administered by a certifying
body as defined in this standard (See
ANSI/NETA ETT 2010, Annexes A, B,
and C contain specific requirements)
E TT Se nior Certified Level I V
Supervises large projects and multiple crews and
can work independently.
Duties include:
Performs complex investigations, tests,
and evolution and prepare written reports
as needed
Requirements:
Minimum of 10 years experience in the
electrical testing industry
Minimum of 40 hours additional safety
training
Minimum of 200 hours of additional
training related to the certification element
categories for Level IV
Pass an electrical testing Level IV
examination administered by a certifying
body as defined in this standard (Annexes
A, B, and C contain specific requirements)
For each NETA Certification level there is
a specified number of years of experience
recognizing that in addition to knowledge, a
skilled technician must be regularly engaged in
the process of testing and evaluating electrical
systems to ensure they can apply their knowledge
at any given time in any testing situation.
In addition, each level has specific training
requirements. The training is progressive and
ensures that the technician is updating his/
her knowledge throughout his/her career.
If a technician wishes to advance to higher
certification levels, the training is structured so
as to build on current knowledge.

For a detailed overview of Annexes A and B,

see Tables 1 and 2. For a complete reference of
NETA Certified Technician requirements refer
to Annexes A, B, and C in the ANSI/NETA
Standard for Certification of Electrical Testing
Technicians.
For additional information on becoming a
NETA Accredited Company or about NETA
Certified Technicians please contact the NETA
office at 888-300-6382 or email at neta@
netaworld.org.The ANSI/NETA Standards can
be purchased at netaworld.org.