Abandonded de-energized electrical panel with exposed internals - code violation?

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lakee911

Senior Member
Location
Columbus, OH
Hi All,

I recently observed in a public works project (that is not of my responsibility) a NEMA 3R load center and meter box that was wide open where anyone can reach in touch bus bars. It was accessible to the general public. I reported it to the state agency responsible for executing the project and I'm told that it's abandoned in place and de-energized and that it's okay.

Is there something in the code that makes this a code violation? I can't find anything.

Thx,
Jason
 
Don't really see a problem other than it's very poor workmanship to just leave an abandoned panel open in an area where it will be seen. Unless of course they just haven't gotten around to removing it or replacing the cover.
 
I agree that it is poor workmanship. It just doesn't seem right that it can be considered safe only because it's not in use. I would have expected it to be covered (i.e., internals not accessible) or labeled/marked...

Does this go so far as to mean that if I turn the breaker OFF to an installation that violated code then it now no longer violates code?
 
I would be curious as to the means by which it was de-energized, and the confidence level for believing it will remain de-energized. For example, if it is in the same location as it was in when it was in service, and all that has happened is that the breaker serving it was opened, I would not call that safe. If the breaker was opened and tagged out, that would make it more safe, but not safe enough in my mind. If the feeder serving it was disconnected from the breaker, then that would make it safe enough. If all wires have been disconnected (incoming and outgoing), and it was removed from its original location and moved here for convenience, I would call it merely ugly, but totally safe.
 
lakee911 said:
I agree that it is poor workmanship. It just doesn't seem right that it can be considered safe only because it's not in use. I would have expected it to be covered (i.e., internals not accessible) or labeled/marked...

Does this go so far as to mean that if I turn the breaker OFF to an installation that violated code then it now no longer violates code?
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I would say no. If you removed the breaker, so that is could not be turned back on, and also dressed and stored the ends of the wire that you disconnected (or cut it off short of the source panel) then it should be OK.
In this case deenergized and abandoned implies that the power is disconnected in a permanent way.

Having power going into the main and having the main turned off would leave the panel energized in the hot work and arc flash sense even if there was no power to the bus. If you detach the wires at the breaker in the main panel that feeds a subpanel, that subpanel could be considered de-energized. But not if there was enough wire left to reconnect to the breaker!
 
north star said:
~ : ~ : ~


I believe that **lakee911** is looking for Articles to require a
permanent type of disabling \ "fully disconnected" source of
energizing.


~ : ~ : ~
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A quick search showed the Code dealing only with abandoned outlets (in a branch circuit) plus a bunch of special conditions on abandonment for IT, and other specialize situations in high numbered sections.

Anything less certain than LOTO with the condition never to reconnect or irreversible mechanical disconnection would not, IMHO, make something permanently deenergized.
 
You're right, North Star. I just casually observed this. I don't know how or if it was disconnected. (I've caught this entity being less than honest a number of times. I'm half tempted to go over and check for voltage.) Anyhow, I'll just let them know that their *apparent* safety hazard really ought to be removed.

Thanks everyone.

Jason
 
cowboyjwc said:
Don't really see a problem other than it's very poor workmanship to just leave an abandoned panel open in an area where it will be seen. Unless of course they just haven't gotten around to removing it or replacing the cover.
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Or simply the EC has not been directed to, or paid to remove the panel.

Things can get nasty when contractors decide on their own to remove / demo things without being directed too.
 
Well I may have taken the phrase "abandoned in place and de-energized" a little too literally. To me that meant that the wiring was removed and that they simply left the panel there.
 
cowboyjwc said:
Well I may have taken the phrase "abandoned in place and de-energized" a little too literally. To me that meant that the wiring was removed and that they simply left the panel there.
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If that were the case, then I say that it was taken out of the realm of our profession, and now belongs to the housekeeping staff. The NEC no longer applies.

 
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