Handle ties on Circuit breakers

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solis

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Can you use a handle ties on breakers larger rated at 277V? A customer who couldn't produce the code section, but felt larger than 120V to ground it was not permitted. It is for a small EMS system that monitors currents via CT's, controls HVAC's via an Ethernet connection to the TSAT. I referenced 225.33(b) saying the voltage wasn't specified.
Thanks
 
solis said:
Can you use a handle ties on breakers larger rated at 277V? A customer who couldn't produce the code section, but felt larger than 120V to ground it was not permitted. It is for a small EMS system that monitors currents via CT's, controls HVAC's via an Ethernet connection to the TSAT. I referenced 225.33(b) saying the voltage wasn't specified.
Thanks
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I don't know of any restriction on 277v
 
What is the reason you are using the handle tie? If you are using it to comply with 210.4(B), I don't see an issue.
If you are using it to provide overcurrent protection for line to line loads on a 480Y/277 system using single pole breakers, that is no longer permitted.
2008 NEC
240.15(B)(3) 3-Phase and 2-Phase Systems. For line-to-line loads in 4-wire, 3-phase systems or 5-wire, 2-phase systems having
a grounded neutral point and no conductor operating at a voltage greater than permitted in 210.6, individual singlepole circuit breakers with identified handle ties shall be permitted as the protection for each ungrounded conductor.
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2011 NEC
240.15(B)(3) 3-Phase and 2-Phase Systems. For line-to-line loads in 4-wire, 3-phase systems or 5-wire, 2-phase systems, individual single-pole circuit breakers rated 120/240 volts ac with identified handle ties shall be permitted as the protection for each ungrounded conductor, if the systems have a grounded neutral point and the voltage to ground does not exceed 120 volts.
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There have been published comments in code changes books, based on the 2011 change, that have said handle ties are not permitted to be used with 277 volt breakers. It is my opinion, that they are fine when used to comply with 210.4(B), but not for other applications.
 
solis said:
Using it as overcurrent protection. Where does 225.33 B factor in?
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That is a disconnect rule, but only assuming that there is an upstream multi-pole breaker for the overcurrent protection.
You cannot use single pole breakers with handle ties to provide the required overcurrent protection for line to line loads on a 480Y/277 volt system.
 
solis said:
Using it as overcurrent protection. Where does 225.33 B factor in?
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IMO that is allow the use of handle ties but it does not override what Don stated in 240.15. If the SP breakers with handle ties are allowed then they would be allowed to comply with 225.33(B). That is how I see it
 
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