Capable of being locked in the open position

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Rich Elec.

Senior Member
Location
Pennsylvania
A disconnect that is required to be locked in the open position.

Is a circuit breaker with a circuit breaker lock acceptable for fulfilling this requirement?
 
Cavie

Cavie

Senior Member
Location
SW Florida
Rich Elec. said:
A disconnect that is required to be locked in the open position.

Is a circuit breaker with a circuit breaker lock acceptable for fulfilling this requirement?
Click to expand...

Yes but you would be suprised at how many electricans don't know which one to use per the 2005 code. The held in place with a screw version is not acceptible. It has no provisions for a pad lock.
 
celtic

celtic

Senior Member
Location
NJ
ptonsparky said:
For appliances 422.31(B) states in part "... at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed." It has to stay in place and not just held there by the padlock or set screw.
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A "generic" style CB lock is NFG???

2422.jpg



The set screw holds it to the handle, cover flips down to block screw head, lock seals the deal.

....and that's NFG?
 
celtic

celtic

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Energize said:
Celtic, please enlighten me. How can a locked-open CB still trip due to its internal workings?:-?
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Circuitbreaker.jpg

  1. Actuator lever - used to manually trip and reset the circuit breaker. Also indicates the status of the circuit breaker (On or Off/tripped). Most breakers are designed so they can still trip even if the lever is held or locked in the on position. This is sometimes referred to as "free trip" or "positive trip" operation.
  2. Actuator mechanism - forces the contacts together or apart.
  3. Contacts - Allow current to flow when touching and break the flow of current when moved apart.
  4. Terminals
  5. Bimetallic strip
  6. Calibration screw - allows the manufacturer to precisely adjust the trip current of the device after assembly.
  7. Solenoid
  8. Arc divider / extinguisher
Item #5...the bi-metallic strip, would function regardless of the handles status...no?



EDIT:
Have I got my NO/NC's confused?
 
Cavie

Cavie

Senior Member
Location
SW Florida
celtic said:
A "generic" style CB lock is NFG???

2422.jpg



The set screw holds it to the handle, cover flips down to block screw head, lock seals the deal.

....and that's NFG?
Click to expand...

you can't close the door with this thing in place. The lockout must remain in place with or with out the lock. 422.31 (B)
 
celtic

celtic

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Cavie said:
you can't close the door with this thing in place. The lockout must remain in place with or with out the lock. 422.31 (B)
Click to expand...


422.31(B) makes no mention of a door.
Not all panels have doors.
The set screw will keep the LO in place with or w/o the lock.
 
Cavie

Cavie

Senior Member
Location
SW Florida
celtic said:
422.31(B) makes no mention of a door.
Not all panels have doors.
The set screw will keep the LO in place with or w/o the lock.
Click to expand...

Did I mention the part about being listed????? Each manufacturer makes one that will fit thier breakers.
 
R

Rich Elec.

Senior Member
Location
Pennsylvania
Cavie said:
They're great for lockout,tagout but not a subsatute for a disconect.
Click to expand...

This is what I thought, but I started heated discussion on the job and I had no reference for my argument. An argument that Cavie agrees with.
Cavie, do you have a reference?

Thanks,
Rich.
 
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