NETA SETTING THE STANDARD

B Y JI L L H O W E L L ,

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.

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The scope of the ANSI/NETA Standard for

Certification of Electrical Testing Technicians
specifies the following:
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requirements for qualification and certification of the electrical testing technician
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criteria for documenting qualifications
and certification.
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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 ETA 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

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respect for each other.

Craig Grifn

Power Products Solutions, Inc.,

NETA Level IV Certied 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.
This provides a brief overview of the NETA
Test Technician Certification Levels and their
Respective Requirements:
ET T T R AI NEE LEVEL I Offers an entry
level gateway into the electrical testing industry
Duties include:
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technicians
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tests under direct supervision

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that demand theoretical as well as
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In preparing for the exam, the study
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Requirements:
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diploma (GED)
ET T ASSI STANT LEVE L II Has sufficient
knowledge and experience to be qualified for
assuring the safety of him/her.
Duties include:
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work while requiring direct supervision
Requirements:
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electrical testing industry
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understanding of lockout/tagout
procedures and requirements, arc-flash
and shock hazard analyses, and other
facets of hazardous electrical energy
control procedures
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to certification element categories
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examination administered by a certifying

Western Electrical Services,

NETA Level IV Certied Technician
since January 2012

body as defined in this standard (See

ANSI/NETA ETT 2010, Annexes A, B,
and C contain specific requirements)
ETT C ERTIF IED L EV EL III Is capable
of supervising ETT Trainee Level I and ETT
Assistant level II.
Duties include:
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and moderately complex tasks and projects.
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Requirements:
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experience in electrical testing industry

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documented safety training
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additional documented training related
to the certification of element categories
for Level III
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examination administered by a certifying
body as defined in this standard (See
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and C contain specific requirements)
ETT SE N IOR CERT I FI ED LEVEL I V
Supervises large projects and multiple crews and
can work independently.
Duties include:
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and evolution and prepare written reports
as needed
Requirements:
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electrical testing industry
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training
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training related to the certification element
categories for Level IV
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*7

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.