Acceptable Practices?

[fraymond]

Recently someone brought up an idea to purchase visual devices to indicate removal of voltage after the enclosures disconnect is turned off.

They also indicated using acrylic/plexi-glass to cover the line side of the breaker to protect from shock rather than removing the voltage source feeding the enclosure. The load side would have small holes drilled to insert meter leads. PPE would not be required after determining the voltage source is absence

I am under the opinion visual devices are not mentioned in OSHA/NFPA-70E for determining absence of voltage nor I have seen anything on leaving voltage on the circuit breaker even if it is covered.

Am I missing something with my opinion(s)? Thanks

 

[ron]

Since NFPA 70E requires you to check the functionality of the tester before and after you check the absence of voltage on the subject equipment, I'm not sure if the permanently installed indicating lights would do it.

 

[ron]

Actually, I just reread and see that you would insert the tester leads. I was thinking that they wanted permanently installed visual indication of the presence of voltage.

I don't think NFPA 70E indciates how the tester works, just that it senses the presence of the voltage and can be checked before and after testing.

 

[mayanees]

How about 2015 70E, 120.1(3)
I think it's an added safety measure, but meter verification is still required.
.. but as I look back at your post you are referencing the testing part. Either way you need to measure, so perhaps the lead insertion points are appropriate.

 

[cornbread]

Spot on, test phase to& phase to ground. Kind of leave out using a non contact tick tracer in my humble opinion.

 

[cdevine]

Spot on, test phase to& phase to ground. Kind of leave out using a non contact tick tracer in my humble opinion.

Agree 100%. But what about a non-contact, 3 phase, permanently installed voltage indicator that incorporates a self test function? It seems that this clause does not prevent such a device's usage.

I am a little surprised that NFPA 70E does not require voltage measurement by direct contact. I suspect that you guys in the states are ahead of us in Australia on this issue.