Safety Arc-Rated (AR) Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is recommended to be used by technicians when servicing some high-voltage battery packs under certain scenarios on GM electric vehicles. The PPE that is appropriate for servicing a battery pack varies depending on the service procedure and the pack.
When servicing a high-voltage battery pack that may be damaged and/or potentially unstable, as applicable to and identified by Bulletin #23-NA-151, any service personnel within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of the pack should be equipped with the appropriate arc-rated PPE. (Fig. 1)
Fig. 1
Wearing the recommended PPE is especially important when the high-voltage connectors are unmated from the pack. Although unlikely, if the battery pack were to have a spontaneous internal arc flash incident, some of the arc flash energy could escape through the open high-voltage connectors.
Recommended PPE
The PPE must be rated to a minimum of 8 cal/cm2 Hazard Risk Category 2 (HRC 2), compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 70E. The recommended PPE consists of:
- Coveralls or pants and a long sleeve shirt (no lab or shop coats)
- Balaclava
- Face shield
- Class 0/1000V insulation gloves with leather protectors (once zero voltage has been confirmed, it is acceptable to switch to work gloves with the appropriate AR rating if improved dexterity is desired). (Fig. 2)
- Substantial footwear and hearing protection
Fig. 2
PPE Kits Available Through GM Special Tools Program
AR PPE kits are available at the GM Special Tools Program website or may be obtained locally. To view the AR PPE kit on the special tools website, you must be logged in to www.gmglobaltools.com.
Additional information about the proper use of PPE is available on the November 2025 Emerging Issues seminar (#10225.11V) and in the Center of Learning course Electric Vehicle PPE Requirements Update (#59550.01V).
For more information about high-voltage battery pack service and the appropriate PPE, refer to Bulletins #23-NA-151 and #25-NA-199.
– Thanks to Joe Ciagala
