circuit breakers in a panel that are spares

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catman1971

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been reading thru the NEC hand book and I am trying tofind out if circuit breakers in a panel that are spares are required to be inthe off position. To me it make sense for them to be off so there is noconfusion but I cannot seem to fine it in writing .
 
You won't find it in the NEC, it doesn't matter.

Roger
 
catman1971 said:
been reading thru the NEC hand book and I am trying tofind out if circuit breakers in a panel that are spares are required to be inthe off position. To me it make sense for them to be off so there is noconfusion but I cannot seem to fine it in writing .
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408.4 (A) 2014 NEC
It only requires that the circuit directory for spares be labeled as such. Not that they be in the off position.
 
It doesn't matter if you leave them off or not. As soon as someone comes along to reset or turn on a breaker that is actually being used, they will always turn on every breaker in the panel.

Why they do this is a cosmic mystery.
 
480sparky said:
It doesn't matter if you leave them off or not. As soon as someone comes along to reset or turn on a breaker that is actually being used, they will always turn on every breaker in the panel.

Why they do this is a cosmic mystery.
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The other thing which is NOT in the NEC is the requirement to put handle locks on all of the spares to keep them in the off position in just such an event. :)
 
GoldDigger said:
The other thing which is NOT in the NEC is the requirement to put handle locks on all of the spares to keep them in the off position in just such an event. :)
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Oh, sure! Post this on a public internet forum. I'm sure someone gonna submit a proposal to require this now! :D
 
GoldDigger said:
The other thing which is NOT in the NEC is the requirement to put handle locks on all of the spares to keep them in the off position in just such an event. :)
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Shhhhhhhh!!!!
Breaker lock manufacturers may be lurking......
 
OSHA did just recently "ding" our facility's reputation for our spare breakers not being in the off position. This was not a normal inspection though; they were invited to inspect us for the Voluntary Protection Program, VPP. This is an "above and beyond" qualification of safety. Interviews of plant personnel did not reflect the proper mindset of safety over production and we did not meet the qualification, we also fell short on electrical & mechanical safety labeling.
 
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