EPD Breakers and Test Buttons

[ejb1556]

I have been designing electrical systems for Class 1 Div 2 areas for years, and whenever I use a lighting panel with EPD breakers, they have always come with a "TEST" button on the front for those breakers. Naturally, it is to test that the breaker trips when it is supposed to. Recently, I have heard that this is not required by code, that I can use EPD breakers without having a test button.

Something about this doesn't add up in my opinion. Does anyone have any insight on this? Is it a new revision to the code? My latest codebook is 08.

 

[rbalex]

I have been designing electrical systems for Class 1 Div 2 areas for years, and whenever I use a lighting panel with EPD breakers, they have always come with a "TEST" button on the front for those breakers. Naturally, it is to test that the breaker trips when it is supposed to. Recently, I have heard that this is not required by code, that I can use EPD breakers without having a test button.

Something about this doesn't add up in my opinion. Does anyone have any insight on this? Is it a new revision to the code? My latest codebook is 08.

The key here is understanding what you have actually heard; i.e., EPD breakers are not required or EPD test buttons are not required?

 

[ejb1556]

He was saying that a test button is no longer required on the front of the panel. Basically to test the epd functionality you would have to unbolt the front cover to reach the breaker.

 

[rbalex]

OK, here?s the deal; most applications don?t need EPDs in the first place, which means you wouldn?t need the pushbutton. However, if you do have them, UL requires the push-button which makes it a Section 110.3(B) issue.

Opening the enclosure to test them would properly require both an energized electrical work permit [NFPA 70E 130.1(B)] and a ?hot-work? permit for the hazardous location[NEC 500.4(A)]. So-if you use EPDs keep the button on the front.

Note: I cited Section 500.4(A) because it requires the location to be "properly documented." A "hot-work" permit effectively reclassifies a location temporarily to allow activities that would not otherwise be permitted. Such as opening the enclosure in the first place and then activating an arc-making device.

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