Locking Out A Disconnect

[mac380abc]

I was asked by a fellow engineer, if there was a possibility of locking a disconnect ON in a area where there has been alot of problems,
He asked if it was possible to lock ON a disconnect to some equipment to prevent being shut off...Without violating any of the Code Requirements.
Thank you for your input.....

 

[PaulMmn]

Who or what is shutting it off? People who don't want to work the rest of the shift? Machines tripping with an overload?
Is this fire or other emergency equipment?

 

[roger]

Equipment disconnects are not EPO devices so yes, they can be locked in the closed position.

 

[tom baker]

Our waste water lift stations and traffic signal disconnects were locked on. Not a code issue, but can not require a tool other than a key to open

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Even the code required emergency disconnect for one and two family dwellings can be locked in the on position.

 

[letgomywago]

Even the code required emergency disconnect for one and two family dwellings can be locked in the on position.

This is a good idea to remember. I've seen guys forget to install the little lock tab on the bottom of the 3r panel. It's in the box for a reason

 

[mac380abc]

Thanks I had thought that all equipment that just needed a key to open could be locked on. Wasn't sure so many thanks to all that replied.

Equipment disconnects are not EPO devices so yes, they can be locked in the closed position.

This is equipment that we use for going on and off the grid, that may get disconnected when someone shuts down the normal system.
so it would not be equipment that is tripping, because it would shut itself down when the overload tripped. Thanks for the feed back..

 

[mac380abc]

Our waste water lift stations and traffic signal disconnects were locked on. Not a code issue, but can not require a tool other than a key to open

Thank you for the reply, basically we our going on and off grid, and we need the recording equipment to never get shut down,
then our equipment would require a recalibration to continue on grid...

 

[mac380abc]

This is a good idea to remember. I've seen guys forget to install the little lock tab on the bottom of the 3r panel. It's in the box for a reason

his is equipment that we use for going on and off the grid, that may get disconnected when someone shuts down the normal system.
so it would not be equipment that is tripping, because it would shut itself down when the overload tripped. Thanks for the feed back..

 

[roger]

I don't know what "tripping" has to do with your question. OCPD locks do not hinder the device from tripping.

As answered, you can lock disconnects in the closed position and in some cases it's mandatory that you do.

 

[mac380abc]

This is a good idea to remember. I've seen guys forget to install the little lock tab on the bottom of the 3r panel. It's in the box for a reason

his is equipment that we use for going on and off the grid, that may get disconnected when someone shuts down the normal system.
so it would not be equipment that is tripping, because it would shut itself down when the overload tripped. Thanks for the feed back..

I don't know what "tripping" has to do with your question. OCPD locks do not hinder the device from tripping.

As answered, you can lock disconnects in the closed position and in some cases it's mandatory that you do.

You are right, I wasn't implying that a lock would hold a device from tripping on an overload, My concern was that shutting the disconnect
off would have taken our electrical service off grid, there by requiring another calibration of the recording equipment (beckwith) adding a
large cost to the project.