Curcuit breakers

[Jim Beason]

Can a circuit breaker be used as switch/master power switch? Here is the situation, a carpenter shop has six pieces of equipment four of them have the normal on/off and are cord and plug, two have on/off and are hard wired with a disconnect. Shop personnel are switching off the breakers in the service panel nightly, (so unauthorized personnel could not use the gear) and turning them back on every morning. My position is to lock out the disconnects and lock out the cord and plug machines with the appropriate locks and to stay out of the service panel as much as possible.[/

 

[charlie b]

This is not a code issue. It is a matter of choice on how to operate the equipment. I see no problem with what they are doing. It is not what I would want, but I am not the owner. I am curious as to why they think an unauthorized person might sneek in at night to use their lathes or other machines. I suspect they are using an overkill solution to address a non-problem.

 

[480sparky]

Keyed switches may be another solution.

 

[jim dungar]

Can a circuit breaker be used as switch/master power switch?

As far back as 1987, the endurance test for molded case breakers <=100A was: 6,000 full load operations + 4,000 no-load operations for a total of 10,000 mechanical operations. After this endurance test the breakers need to pass a re-verification of inverse-time-delay characteristics.

 

[LarryFine]

So they should be okay for about 30 years or so.

 

[fireryan]

Isnt there a breaker rated for switching. i thought we had used one at one time but i just did a search in yahoo and nothing came up that was at least a little bit helpful

 

[ctmike]

I recall any breaker used for switching had to be marked swd

 

[480sparky]

I recall any breaker used for switching had to be marked swd

Only if used to switch fluorescent lighting.

From the 2008 UL white book DIVQ:

Circuit breakers marked ‘‘SWD’’ and rated 347 V or less are suitable for switching fluorescent lighting loads on a regular basis at their rated voltage.

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[brian john]

Mine are on a key switch to a 12 pole ASCO contactor. I have 4-kids with lots of friends friends and did not want any chance of another lawsuit.

 

[jim dungar]

I recall any breaker used for switching had to be marked swd

SWD ratings are only available for 1P 15A and 20A breakers.

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

I am pretty sure Cutler Hammer CH is switch duty rated.

 

[LarryFine]

According to the OP, these breakers are not being opened under load, so SWD shouldn't matter.

 

[quogueelectric]

Mine are on a key switch to a 12 pole ASCO contactor. I have 4-kids with lots of friends friends and did not want any chance of another lawsuit.

Smart move Brian. I am movin on up to a bigger house with a 2 car garage and I want to set up a nice wood shop in there with just enough room to pull the service truck in so it is not prone to theft. Kids are growing like weeds they will soon be asking for new cars they are 3 and 5 now.