locking our breakers and disconnects

[wireman1]

the 2008 code states in chapters 4,5 ,6 the provisions for locking or adding to the disconnecting means shall remain in place at the switch or circuit breaker whether the lock is installed or not.portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be permitted. this appears in 410 .41 (b) ,422 31 (b) 424.19 , 430.103 and others my question is the panels are not in sight and the breakers would require a lock out means .does this mean that each breaker in the panel must have a lock out means which is approved and remain with in the panel.since the panels don,t come in with any hard ware for locking out the breakers you must order it seperately . i think square d breakers can be ordered with a lock out device attached to the breaker. i don,t know about eaton panels which are be used for this job. also stranco makes a device called circuit safe which they say is approved for panel lock out it also meets osha 1910 .147 requirments. any other suggestions would be helpful.

 

[kwired]

NEC does not require lock devices on breakers, it permits them in some cases in lieu of a local disconnecting means at certain equipment. When such a lock device is permitted it must remain attached to the breaker when it is not in use.

Locks being applied for LOTO reasons are not covered by NEC

Most breaker manfacturers have some kind of lock attachment that fits their devices and they are generally field installed.

 

[Cavie]

The lockout devices fit over the breaker and are held in place by the breaker cover. Each manufacturer has there own specific device. Screw on type lockout are not permitted.

 

[kwired]

The lockout devices fit over the breaker and are held in place by the breaker cover. Each manufacturer has there own specific device. Screw on type lockout are not permitted.

Lock attachments that are required to be in place by NEC must remain in place when the lock is not being used. Those that clip on or are otherwise not semi-permanently attched to the breaker are not prohibited from being used, they just can't be used in place of any NEC required lock attachment devices.

So a circuit that doesn't otherwise require a lock device on the breaker can use one of those "portable" devices for meeting LOTO requirements on such circuits.