Capable of Being Locked

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bphgravity

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Section 422.31(B) of the 2005 NEC has added a sentence to clarify the allowance of a lockable switch or circuit breaker being used as the disconnecting means for the appliance.

It now basically states that the means for locking the swirch or circuit breaker must be installed and must be kept in place to qualify. This clears up the 2002 NEC where the wording implied the locking means and loack didn't necessarily need to be there at the time of installation. It just need to be capable of being locked at the point it was being used as a disconnect.

Can we assume that every section in the NEC that permits a switch or circuit breaker to qualify as the disconnecting means if capable of being loacked should also meet this provision, or does the intent not spread beyonf that of appliances over 1/4hp or 300VA?
 
Re: Capable of Being Locked

Almost any circuit breaker (at least almost any Square D panelboard type breaker) is capable of being locked with the right accessory. Does that accessory have to be present to meet the code requirement of "capable of being locked"? For appliances, the answer is now yes.

In other sections, I think the phrase "capable of bing locked" is up to the AHJ. For any residential appliances, I would require the accessory to be installed. But for some specific appliances in an industrial setting, the accessories may be considered "readily available" (along with the padlocks). And if they can be installed without removing panelboard screws, I don't think they should be required to be installed on every appliance breaker. (I'm not really sure if these can be installed without removing the panel cover??).

Steve

[ December 03, 2004, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: steve66 ]
 
Re: Capable of Being Locked

steve66
If your talking about a lockout tagout kit in a readily accessible location, then in a plant that may be OK.

The LOTO kits by Ideal can be installed on breaker handles w/out removing deadfronts
 
Re: Capable of Being Locked

Yes, that is what I was refering to. If they are just as handy to find and install as the lock is, that sounds good to me. But in any residential application, I think they should have to be installed on the breaker.

Steve
 
Re: Capable of Being Locked

While LOTO kits can be used and meet the OSHA rules for lockout, it is my opinion that when you install new equipment that requires lockout provisions, that you must install a permanent device to facilitate the lockout.
Don
 
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