Disconnects lockable in the on position

[cppoly]

Is there anything in the code about disconnects not being permitted to be locked in the on position?

There are disconnects that require this, such as for a fire pump, but for disconnects needed for motors, AC, etc. wouldn't this be a potential safety issue if there is an emergency and someone is unable to shut off a particular piece of equipment if it's locked in the on position?

 

[rc/retired]

Is there anything in the code about disconnects not being permitted to be locked in the on position?

Nope

 

[roger]

Disconnects are not EPO switches so yes, generally speaking they all can be locked.

 

[letgomywago]

It makes sense when you think about ones exposed to the public. Emergency disconnects on houses, the disconnects for the hand dryers at rest stops, even the ones on condensers behind a house in a neighborhood of mischief those all make sense to lock in the on positions until someone qualified comes in to work on them.

 

[tom baker]

Is there anything in the code about disconnects not being permitted to be locked in the on position?

There are disconnects that require this, such as for a fire pump, but for disconnects needed for motors, AC, etc. wouldn't this be a potential safety issue if there is an emergency and someone is unable to shut off a particular piece of equipment if it's locked in the on position?

Is there anything in the code ?
No and yes. A fire pump disconnect is not required to be locked, but a capable of accepting a lock in the on position. The disconnect can be supervised, or if locked, the location of the key must be posted.
Please see the definition of readily accessible about locks.
A disconnecting means is required to accept a lock in the off position, but fused disconnects have a dimple that can drilled out to accept a lock in the on position.
Our POCO requires a disconnect ahead of the meter on 480 v services, these I always locked on.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

There is one place in the code that says that the disconnect must only be lockable in the open position.

620.51(A) Type.
The disconnecting means shall be an enclosed externally operable fused motor circuit switch or circuit breaker that is lockable only in the open position in accordance with 110.25.
The disconnecting means shall be a listed device.

Not sure how that really works as most of the breaker lockouts I have seen can be locked in either the open or the closed position, and the same with many safety switches.

 

[Joethemechanic]

Not sure how that really works as most of the breaker lockouts I have seen can be locked in either the open or the closed position, and the same with many safety switches.

I've never locked one closed, so I got curious and went out in my shop, there are 14 fused disconnects out there, a whole mix of manufacturers and sizes, and every one of them can be locked closed