Handle ties

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goldstar

goldstar

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Location
New Jersey
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Electrical Contractor
I know this is weird question but does anyone know if they make (approved) handle ties for std. toggle switches ganged together ? My reason for asking is because I recently installed wiring and switches for an exhaust hood system, not knowing that the make-up air and exhaust had to come on at the same time. So, I failed inspection by having them on two separate switches and I'm trying to avoid pulling everything apart rewiring it. I'm looking for something like the handle ties on this transfer switch :

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Reliance-Controls-30310A/p1126.html

I know they submitted this transfer unit through UL this way. Just wondering if any of the device manufacturers have done the same
 
goldstar said:
I know this is weird question but does anyone know if they make (approved) handle ties for std. toggle switches ganged together ? My reason for asking is because I recently installed wiring and switches for an exhaust hood system, not knowing that the make-up air and exhaust had to come on at the same time. So, I failed inspection by having them on two separate switches and I'm trying to avoid pulling everything apart rewiring it. I'm looking for something like the handle ties on this transfer switch :

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Reliance-Controls-30310A/p1126.html

I know they submitted this transfer unit through UL this way. Just wondering if any of the device manufacturers have done the same
Click to expand...

Why not simply replace the two switches with a double pole switch? It can't be too much work to replace a couple of switches and a cover plate.

http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-1286-W-20-Amp-277-Volt-Double-Pole/dp/B003AUIRDE

Feed the circuit from a two pole breaker; that will ensure that both feeds to the switch are turned off at the same time. You will be switching both legs of a multiwire branch circuit. If by chance one or both of these devices are powered by 208/240V, you will need one switch to operate two contactors, each of which control power to your separate devices.


SceneryDriver
 
Thanks. I did that at one of the two installations I had at this facility. The second one has two electric ovens, back to back with a wall in between and a common hood. The switches I installed are 3-ways so anyone cooking in one area can turn on the fans without walking around to the other side to turn on the switches. I can change those to two pole switches as well but then you'll lose the convenience. That would be OK. I was just trying to look for a short cut.
 
Keep in mind it is NEC violation to switch two separate circuits with a single 2 pole switch unless they are listed for that. (And they are not)
 
As it turns out it is one common branch circuit for separate fans that (by my design) are being switched separately. By putting them on a 2-pole switch so they come on simultaneously am I now creating a Code violation ?
 
goldstar said:
As it turns out it is one common branch circuit for separate fans that (by my design) are being switched separately. By putting them on a 2-pole switch so they come on simultaneously am I now creating a Code violation ?
Click to expand...

One branch circuit supplying a 2 pole switch controlling two loads is fine. Keep in mind a multiwire branch circuit is one branch circuit.

Two branch circuits supply a 2 pole switch controlling two loads is a violation. Unless listed ...
 
As with many parts of the NEC I often wish there was an appendix that explains what the logic was behind the making of the rule.
 
iwire said:
One branch circuit supplying a 2 pole switch controlling two loads is fine. Keep in mind a multiwire branch circuit is one branch circuit.

Two branch circuits supply a 2 pole switch controlling two loads is a violation. Unless listed ...
Click to expand...

That's why I suggested using a MWBC and a handle-tied / two pole breaker, or alternatively a pair of contactors and two separate circuits. :)



SceneryDriver
 
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