Identification of circuit breaker in LOTO procedures

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sii

sii

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Nebraska
Our company is in the process of updating our LOTO procedures. When identifying the electrical lockout point which is a breaker in a panelboard, is it typical to simplify identify which panel the breaker is in or to identify the exact breaker?

If identifying the breaker, what is the typical language that would be used? Example: a machine is fed by a 3-pole breaker installed in slots 1, 3 and 5. Our "parent company" identifies it as "breakers 1, 3 and 5". That seems like a cumbersome way to identify the breaker. Referring to it in the plural doesn't feel right.
 
If I were doing it, it would be identified by panel name and circuit number. For 3 pole breakers I use the center (slot) number as the circuit number and for two pole breakers I use the lower (numerically) number. For your example it would be something like PP-101-A, Circuit #3.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
If I were doing it, it would be identified by panel name and circuit number. For 3 pole breakers I use the center (slot) number as the circuit number and for two pole breakers I use the lower (numerically) number. For your example it would be something like PP-101-A, Circuit #3.
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I had considered that, I was just looking for others' input and/or to see what common practice is. Thanks.
 
sii said:
I had considered that, I was just looking for others' input and/or to see what common practice is. Thanks.
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There are two different ways of identifying panel breakers. One is that each breaker is identified sequentially, regardless of how many poles they have. The second, and it is my preference, is that each circuit position is identified starting with 1 on top left and 2 on the opposing side. So a two pole breaker can be identified as [Panel designation]1/3, and a 3 pole in the same position as [Panel designation]1-5. One would use the [Panel designation]-X/Y descriptor on the label at the device to be locked out.
 
For a 3 pole breaker we typically label them as Panel X Ckt 1/3/5 for example. For a 2 pole breaker it would be something like Panel Y Ckt 2/4. Don's and Laszlo's schemes are similar and good. The most important thing is to be consistent.
 
sii said:
If identifying the breaker, what is the typical language that would be used? Example: a machine is fed by a 3-pole breaker installed in slots 1, 3 and 5. Our "parent company" identifies it as "breakers 1, 3 and 5". That seems like a cumbersome way to identify the breaker. Referring to it in the plural doesn't feel right.
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How about 'Panel PP-2, Positions 1,3,5'?
 
In a perfect world ....

I like to have two separate markings. At the outlet / appliance I like a tag that says something like "A-13," meaning power for that circuit comes from panel A, space 13.

At the panel itself - preferably marked right on the face of the breaker - I like a 'plain english' tag that says something like "tower motor."

If I really want to be anal, I'll also put a lable on the neutral wire.

This might seem like a lot, but things tend to get changed over time. In particular, breakers seem to get moved to different slots and appliances get changed. Likewise, the usual 'breaker directory' is nearly useless once you take the cover off the panel.

My biggest challenge is when the wiring layout does not lend itself to a brief description. "Bedroom #3 side of west bedroom/east living room wall; north wall of bedroom #2, and south hallway" does not lend itself to labeling.
 
I don't think it matters much as long as it is done in a consistent way throughout the plant.

I have even seen some that do not list the exact circuit except by some kind of permanent marking (like a nameplate) at the breaker panel itself. The LOTO procedure just says to open machine XYZ circuit breaker in panel 123, and at panel 123 there is a nameplate that identifies what circuit machine XYZ uses.
 
petersonra said:
I don't think it matters much as long as it is done in a consistent way throughout the plant.

I have even seen some that do not list the exact circuit except by some kind of permanent marking (like a nameplate) at the breaker panel itself. The LOTO procedure just says to open machine XYZ circuit breaker in panel 123, and at panel 123 there is a nameplate that identifies what circuit machine XYZ uses.
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And truly, that might be the best way in any building in which it is likely that a circuit position will change in a panel after a time.

It is very easy and common enough for breaker positions to change, and no notation of the change made to any label that might exist at the load.
 
petersonra said:
I don't think it matters much as long as it is done in a consistent way throughout the plant.

I have even seen some that do not list the exact circuit except by some kind of permanent marking (like a nameplate) at the breaker panel itself. The LOTO procedure just says to open machine XYZ circuit breaker in panel 123, and at panel 123 there is a nameplate that identifies what circuit machine XYZ uses.
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I think we'ew going ot go with doing it this way. All of our panels are labelled well sith a couple exceptions. I can take care of those pretty quickly. Thanks all for the input.
 
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