Clearance above a light switch

[Dennis Alwon]

I see it differently. Outside of a main panel there is very little that needs to be energized while working on it.

[kwired]

Regretfully the code uses the cryptic "likely to require" leaving everything up to interpretation. I, still contend that a voltage test is not an examination, otherwise it would have been a reasonable expectation that the authors would have stated testing in the list of items requiring clearance. Of course the other option is that they left it vague so that there was a way to point fingers whenever an incident occurred.

I agree that leaves everything up to interpretation.

I also believe that any equipment is likely to require some work done to it at some time - but it does not necessarily need to be done while energized.

Why isn't voltage testing included somewhere in "examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance", which is the wording used?

[charlie b]

I see it differently. Outside of a main panel there is very little that needs to be energized while working on it.

The issue is not "need." The issue is "likely." Some heavy handed lead maintenance person may very well pressure one of the junior employees to perform live work under the philisophy that the company cannot afford the down time associated with turning power off. Is that likely? Well, that is the key question.

[kwired]

The issue is not "need." The issue is "likely." Some heavy handed lead maintenance person may very well pressure one of the junior employees to perform live work under the philisophy that the company cannot afford the down time associated with turning power off. Is that likely? Well, that is the key question.

Actually it is the production managers that don't think the company can afford down time.