2023 Tennessee Code › Title 68 - HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (§§ 68-1-NEW — 68-221-1319) › SAFETY (§§ 68-101-101 — 68-143-103) › Chapter 101 - MISCELLANEOUS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS (§§ 68-101-101 — 68-101-109) › Section 68-101-104 - Electric safety code for electric-supply stations and lines - Standards for equipment that delivers electricity to power distribution grid - Inspection - Disconnecting safety mechanisms

(a)
The American National Standard Electrical Safety Code, edition dated August 1, 2016, prepared and published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 or www.ieee.org, is adopted by the general assembly for application for all processes within the state of Tennessee as the official electrical safety code, to provide a standard for safeguarding of persons from hazards arising from the installation, operation, or maintenance of:
(1)
Conductors and equipment in electric-supply stations; and
(2)
Overhead and underground electric-supply and communication lines, and work rules for the construction, maintenance, and operation of electric-supply and communication lines and equipment, and the provisions of such National Electrical Safety Code are adopted herein by reference and shall not be copied in the codified sections or provisions of the Tennessee Code.
(b)
Future revisions or additions to the National Electrical Safety Code as may be adopted, deleted, revised or changed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., may be adopted, deleted, revised, or amended by the general assembly as and when the general assembly may elect to adopt any such revisions, additions, deletions, modifications or changes in the National Electrical Safety Code.
(c)
A copy of the American National Standard Electrical Safety Code edition dated August 1, 2016, is available for viewing by the public at the office of the electrical inspection section in the department of commerce and insurance in the Davy Crockett Tower, 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, Tennessee, during regular state office hours.
(d)
Any person, as defined in §
65-25-102
, installing, operating, or otherwise using equipment that delivers electricity to the point of interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which the electricity is distributed or transmitted to one (1) or more customers must comply with all relevant national standards, including those established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Underwriters Laboratories, and the National Electrical Safety Code.
(e)
Any equipment that delivers electricity to the point of interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which the electricity is distributed or transmitted to one (1) or more customers is subject to the inspection of a state-certified electrical inspector.
(f)
Any person, as defined in §
65-25-102
, installing, operating, or otherwise using equipment that delivers electricity to the point of interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which the electricity is distributed or transmitted to one (1) or more customers shall:
(1)
Install:
(A)
A manually operating and visible load-breaking disconnect switch on the exterior of the property between the equipment that delivers electricity to the point of interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which the electricity is distributed or transmitted to one (1) or more customers that is readily accessible to and may be locked by the applicable non-consumer owned electric system, as defined in §
65-34-102
, or public electric system, as defined in §
65-34-102
; or
(B)
Other disconnecting safety mechanisms approved by the applicable non-consumer owned electric system, as defined in §
65-34-102
, or public electric system, as defined in §
65-34-102
; and
(2)
Notify the applicable non-consumer owned electric system, as defined in §
65-34-102
, or public electric system, as defined in §
65-34-102
, prior to interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which electricity is transmitted to one (1) or more customers so that the applicable non-consumer owned electric system or public electric system may be present for testing that verifies that all disconnects are fully functional and in proper working order.
(g)
Any non-consumer owned electric system, as defined in §
65-34-102
, or public electric system, as defined in §
65-34-102
, is not liable for fines, penalties, injuries, or damages arising out of any person's, as defined in §
65-25-102
, installation, operation, or use of equipment that delivers electricity to the point of interconnection with a power distribution grid, long-distance power transmission grid, or other facility by and through which the electricity is distributed or transmitted to one (1) or more customers.
(h)
Copies of the standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the National Electrical Safety Code are available for viewing by the public at the office of the electrical inspection section in the department of commerce and insurance during regular state office hours.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 177, s 1, eff. 4/20/2021.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 3, s 2, eff. 1/1/2018.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 3, s 1, eff. 1/1/2018.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 56, Secs.s 1, s 2 eff. 3/26/2013.
Acts 1974, ch. 673, §§ 1, 2; 1979, ch. 291, § 1; T.C.A., §§ 53-2311, 53-2312; Acts 1984, ch. 591, § 1; 1990, ch. 642, § 1; T.C.A. § 68-16-104; Acts 1993, ch. 275, §§ 1, 2; 1997 , ch. 88, §§ 1, 2; 2002, ch. 520, §§ 1, 2; 2007 , ch. 89, §§ 1, 2.