OCPD's located within a panelboard

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wookie7471

Member
Location
North Florida
The OCPD's are fusible disconnects.
Everthing I have found says the operating handle can be no higher than 6'-7". Square D has supplied two distribution panels that are 96" tall. If these enclosures are set directly on the floor, the top operating handles are at 7'-1. There is a exception that says as long as these OCPD's are adjacent to the equipment they feed they are OK.
I remember a couple of the articles 240.24, (1996) 380.8...
Is there another article I should be looking at?
 

jim dungar

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Wisconsin
Occupation
PE (Retired) - Power Systems
The OCPD's are fusible disconnects.
Everthing I have found says the operating handle can be no higher than 6'-7". Square D has supplied two distribution panels that are 96" tall. If these enclosures are set directly on the floor, the top operating handles are at 7'-1. There is a exception that says as long as these OCPD's are adjacent to the equipment they feed they are OK.
I remember a couple of the articles 240.24, (1996) 380.8...
Is there another article I should be looking at?
You can always turn the switches upside down.
Square D QMB fusible switches are designed, and include labeling, so that each switch may be rotated 180?. You may have to relocate several switches so their handles do not interfere with each other.
 

jim dungar

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Wisconsin
Occupation
PE (Retired) - Power Systems
That would be a dumb thing to do! Sure one should check to make sure its off, but someone will see it up and think its on and try to turn it off and actually turn it on!
The QMB switch is a side to side operating device. Rotating it 180? does not affect its operation or its compliance with NEC 240.33, 240.40, and 408.39.
 

ron

Senior Member
Can the higher ones use a hookstick?

404.8 Accessibility and Grouping.
(A) Location.​
All switches and circuit breakers used as
switches shall be located so that they may be operated from
a readily accessible place. They shall be installed such that
the center of the grip of the operating handle of the switch
or circuit breaker, when in its highest position, is not more
than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) above the floor or working platform.

Exception No. 1: On busway installations, fused switches
and circuit breakers shall be permitted to be located at the
same level as the busway. Suitable means shall be provided
to operate the handle of the device from the floor.
Exception No. 2: Switches and circuit breakers installed
adjacent to motors, appliances, or other equipment that
they supply shall be permitted to be located higher than 2.0 m
(6 ft 7 in.) and to be accessible by portable means.
Exception No. 3: Hookstick operable isolating switches​
shall be permitted at greater heights.
 

wookie7471

Member
Location
North Florida
Handles operate side to side, not up and down. By flipping them over puts the handle either on the top or bottom. Going back Monday to see if I can get the handles within the 6'-7" requirement. The problem I have is the enclosure was mounted 6" off of the ground so this puts the highest handles at 7'-7" AFF.
If these were located on a busway then a hook stick could be used.
 

wookie7471

Member
Location
North Florida
Had to flip and re-arrange OCPD's so the handle is located at the lowest height. Enclosure had to be dropped to 1/2" from floor to meet code. What an adventure(PITA)!
 
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