Guarding Live parts

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reliableresource

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110.27 A2
Does this pertain to Main lugs at panelboard or only at Main disconnect at Meter? Who is considered an unauthorized person? Customer?, Electrical contractor, or Power Company?
 
I'm not sure what you are asking. It applies to exposed live parts.

The main lugs in a panel board and the inside of the meter base are all protected by their "approved enclosures" as specified in (A) before the numbered list. The numbered of list describes things that are not protected by their "approved enclosure" such as you find with large transformers and other distribution equipment.

The code doesn't use the term unauthorized, but qualified. Qualified person is defined as "One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved."

The intent here is to not have someone randomly enter a room where there are exposed conductors and be able to touch them. Not that they couldn't given a screwdriver open an enclosure and get at them.
 
Thank you for your response. I've got an inspector telling me that I need to install guards over the main lugs in the panel and on the load side of the main breaker at the meter socket! I have searched up and down for some type of terminal cover but to no avail. (and what about the rest of the live bus???) Just lookin' to bust my balls, I'm sure.
 
reliableresource said:
Thank you for your response. I've got an inspector telling me that I need to install guards over the main lugs in the panel and on the load side of the main breaker at the meter socket! I have searched up and down for some type of terminal cover but to no avail. (and what about the rest of the live bus???) Just lookin' to bust my balls, I'm sure.
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infinity said:
I agree, that's in the 2020 NEC and applies to services. The inspector should have cited the code section.
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It applied to service panelboards in the 2017 code. See 408.3(A)(2). The 2020 change made the rule apply to all types of service equipment, not just switchboards, switchgear and panelboards as in the 2017.
 
reliableresource said:
Thank you for your response. I've got an inspector telling me that I need to install guards over the main lugs in the panel and on the load side of the main breaker at the meter socket! I have searched up and down for some type of terminal cover but to no avail. (and what about the rest of the live bus???) Just lookin' to bust my balls, I'm sure.
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No idea where you are or what Code you are on. Might want to change your profile to add it.

If indeed you do need guards per the 2020 that would be something the manufacturer needs (or needed) to supply. AFAIK there is no such thing aftermarket. Might want to point that out to the inspector. Sometimes the Code wants things that haven't been invented yet.

I think Canadian panels have had guards for years.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
No idea where you are or what Code you are on. Might want to change your profile to add it.

If indeed you do need guards per the 2020 that would be something the manufacturer needs (or needed) to supply. AFAIK there is no such thing aftermarket. Might want to point that out to the inspector. Sometimes the Code wants things that haven't been invented yet.

I think Canadian panels have had guards for years.

-Hal
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Sq d and Eaton both make aftermarket for their respective panels, I know Cuz the kid threw away the yellow guard from the sq d, he didn't know what they were for. They've been included with new panels since 14 cycle, I've only recently found sq d available, Eaton had them for a while although not at big box, even local supply house didn't know about them. First found online. With covid they might be hard to get now though.
 
Fred B said:
Sq d and Eaton both make aftermarket for their respective panels, I know Cuz the kid threw away the yellow guard from the sq d, he didn't know what they were for.
Click to expand...

That wouldn't be aftermarket, that would be an accessory from the original manufacturer. Good to know though. I only use Siemens and never saw anything like that.

-Hal
 
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