"6 Switch" Rule

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RS7645

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I perform Electrical Condition Assessments on various properties and for various Owners.

I have come across a hotel in Telluride Colorado that has (2) Power Company 750 KVA transformers that secondaries enter the building and each feed a 4,000 Amp and 3,000 Amp switchboard. These switchboards are side by side. Each switchboard has either 5 or 6 switches to disconnect all power.

However, this means that a Fire Fighter would need "11 throws of the hand" to disconnect all power in the building.

Am I drunk, or is this not a clear violation of the 6 switch rule?

RS
 
Sounds like two services to me. I pretty sure the rule is 6 throws per service, which would make this OK.

Steve
 
I agree with Steve each service is allowed 6 motions of the hand (so to say) and each service is additionall allowed a disconnect for GFPE power, transient voltage Surge Protection Power, Power Monitoring, and or power operable service disconnection.

That might allow 10 disconnects per service
 
I believe you need a placard near the service attachment indicating that there are two services attached to the building. I can't find the code reference at the moment but when I do I will post it. If your fireman sees this during a fire call he will know that he has to disconnect both services.
 
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230.71 is the 6-switch rule and it sounds like you have a code compliant installation there. 230.2.E is the placard reference that Goldstar mentioned.
 
e57,

per 230.2(C),the only reason that this building has two services is capacity

requirements over 2000a allows it.

That's why two 600a services would not be allowed without a main disc.
 
e57,

per 230.2(C),the only reason that this building has two services is capacity

requirements over 2000a allows it.

That's why two 600a services would not be allowed without a main disc.
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Frank Arizona,USA


Not really there are several reasons why you could have two services. Your example is correct, but 230.2 also allows for additional services for different voltages lets say 120/208 and 277/480V services. I'm not sure what catagory this fits in, but I have also seen two services in a building where one was for general power and lighting and the other was only for electric heat, the utility gave special rates for customers utalizing electric heat.

Why would two 600A services not be allowed with the 6 handle rule? The rule isn't limited by current, voltage or size, if you want do a 100A service with 6 breakers. Tell me if I'm wrong been that way before but I don't think so!
 
My problem is not with the two services. My problem is with the 6 switch rule. This property would require that (11) switches be thrown to shut of all power (6 from one switchboard and 5 from the switchboard next to it)
 
I hadn't really gave it to much thought before, 6 handles on two different services but as the others have stated it is legal per the code! You have a concern probabley valid, but not a code violation that I can see.
 
I have seen (in Florida) where the electrical contractor added a (7th) switch and was allowed to do so only with the placement of placards identifying each service switch and the number " Switch #4 of 7" - ect.

This was reasonable - but it is my understanding the 6 switch rule was to limit the number of switches needing to be turned off in an emergency situation.

steve66 & cpal's reply would then allow a room with (4) switchboards and a total of (24) throws of a switch - I disgree.

RS
 
Joseph Alexander said:
230.2 and 230.71 are fairly clear (is mud clear?) only 6 disconnects at any location.
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No, it says 6 disconnects per service. And 230.2 allows more than one service for something this large.
 
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