Disconnecting means for Shore receptacles for ships

[thinkgod]

Could push button connected to shunt trip coils be the disconnecting means for shore receptacles per NEC 555.17(B)? That's kind of remote contact to trip the circuit breaker for shore receptacles(500A).

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NEC 555.17(B)Location. The disconnecting means shall be readily accessible, located not more than 762 mm (30 in.) from the receptacle it controls...

 

[NoVA Comms Power]

Could push button connected to shunt trip coils be the disconnecting means for shore receptacles per NEC 555.17(B)?

FWIW that IS the way many "heavy" piers -- which appear to be outside the scope of 555 -- are currently constructed.

However, within the scope of 555 ...

555.17 (A) permits the "means" to be a breaker or a switch (or both), while 555.17 (B) requires that means to be readily accessible and not more than 30" from the recepticle it contols.

IMO, while remote contol of the disconnecting means (i.e. via a shunt-trip) doesn't seem to be disallowed; the actual disconnecting means (i.e. the physical switch and/or breaker) still needs to meet the readily accessible and distance requirements of 555.17 (B).

Stated another way, the shunt-trip control pushbutton could not be the only "readily accessible" means of opening the disconnect.

 

[charlie b]

I agree with NoVa. The purpose of the disconnecting means is not just to turn the circuit off. The purpose is also to allow a person working on the receptacle to have assurances that the circuit will remain turned off. That is why it must be close to the receptacle.