Acceptable Methods of Motor Lockout - Branch circuit fuse holder inside an industrial control panel?

[petersonra]

A lot of companies do not want to go to the expense of purchasing a safety switch with a normally closed micro switch on motors controlled by drives. Wish the NEC would make it mandatory that at bare minimum when motor is not on the same floor as the drive then the motor must have a local lockable disconnect within 50' & visible from the motor. Would be ok to have disconnects say on water towers to be on the outside. We had 4 water towers with 60 HP motors where they only installed a 30 amp non fixed safety switch to LOTTO motors. I always walked hundreds of feet then climbed thru two door ways to install LOTTO on the drive disconnect.

You got paid by the hour to get some exercise. The company was looking after your health.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

A lot of companies do not want to go to the expense of purchasing a safety switch with a normally closed micro switch on motors controlled by drives. Wish the NEC would make it mandatory that at bare minimum when motor is not on the same floor as the drive then the motor must have a local lockable disconnect within 50' & visible from the motor. Would be ok to have disconnects say on water towers to be on the outside. We had 4 water towers with 60 HP motors where they only installed a 30 amp non fixed safety switch to LOTTO motors. I always walked hundreds of feet then climbed thru two door ways to install LOTTO on the drive disconnect.

How was a 30 amp disconnect ever permitted for a 60 hp motor?

 

[garbo]

How was a 30 amp disconnect ever permitted for a 60 hp motor?

They used it in series with the stop button to lock out tower motors. Told them that besides being a code violation its dangerous for guys that have to go up and change the 3 or 4 V belts every year. Our BSO shop had a guy loose a finger tip when he was replacing belts on a large exhaust fan that he did not LOTTO the motor and motor started up.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

They used it in series with the stop button to lock out tower motors. Told them that besides being a code violation its dangerous for guys that have to go up and change the 3 or 4 V belts every year. Our BSO shop had a guy loose a finger tip when he was replacing belts on a large exhaust fan that he did not LOTTO the motor and motor started up.

A control circuit can never be used as a disconnect or a lockout. The device used for a disconnect or a lockout must physically open the power circuit conductors.

 

[petersonra]

A control circuit can never be used as a disconnect or a lockout. The device used for a disconnect or a lockout must physically open the power circuit conductors.

That is not completely true. You can also use a control safe circuit to lockout a power circuit but I have never seen it done because it is crazy expensive.

 

[garbo]

That is not completely true. You can also use a control safe circuit to lockout a power circuit but I have never seen it done because it is crazy expensive.

Have seen so called safety lockout relay that believe only locked out the control circuit. Would refuse to work on a motor that only used what you termed " control safe circuit ". Too many times I can across contactors & starters that had one or more of the contacts that feed motors welded shut. Years ago we had welders that had to spend a few hours inside of cookers that we had to remove the fuses from safety switch, LOTTO safety switch and remove wires from load side of starter. Both welders, electrician & maintenance boss each installed a lock on LOTTO.