Line & Load Termination Positions

[k947]

Years ago when I went to school, I was taught that the line side or power side of a service, circuit or switch had to be terminated on the top (upper) part of the device. The load then would be terminated on the bottom side and not energized the bottom would be de-energized while the top would be "hot". Yes I know we should not work on energized systems, but for troubleshooting we need power to the panel/switch/etc. sometimes. That way, people working in the switch enclosure or panel box would know which side would be line and which ones would be load. I can not find this referenced in the code book. When talking to other people, they were always doing the same thing. Is this a code rule or just an industry standard? If a code, where would I find it as I have been looking for weeks.

As always, Thanks.

Kermit

 

[Dsg319]

Years ago when I went to school, I was taught that the line side or power side of a service, circuit or switch had to be terminated on the top (upper) part of the device. The load then would be terminated on the bottom side and not energized the bottom would be de-energized while the top would be "hot". Yes I know we should not work on energized systems, but for troubleshooting we need power to the panel/switch/etc. sometimes. That way, people working in the switch enclosure or panel box would know which side would be line and which ones would be load. I can not find this referenced in the code book. When talking to other people, they were always doing the same thing. Is this a code rule or just an industry standard? If a code, where would I find it as I have been looking for weeks.

As always, Thanks.

Kermit

Unless it specifically says line/load. From my understanding it is just a common industry standard we have all learned.

Ive never seen nor heard any NEC references.

 

[Eddie702]

Might be from the old days when they talked about the old knife switches falling open or closed. They had to be mounted vertical with the hinge on the knife blades at the bottom so they could fall open but never fall closed power feed in the top

 

[jaggedben]

Disconnects with visible blades are where it's important to follow the rule. The correct way would be labeled on the switch and thus the obly relevant code would 110.3(B).

For most other stuff it would not matter.