LOTO clip on breaker

Maybe I have the wrong picture in my head of LOTO clip but the ones I see don't meet the provision:
"110.25 The provisions for locking shall remain in place with or without the lock installed'
 
The provisions for LOTO applies to most disconnects for a piece of equipment, except for AC equipment and maybe a few other specialty items. I sometimes recommend LOTO as a fix when someone forgets a required disconnect, but, so far, only one person (a homeowner DIYer) has gone with LOTO instead of a disconnect within sight. Normally it's an electric water heater.
 
Are you installing the breaker that needs to be locked out, or are you the person that needs to lock out the circuit?

If you are installing the breaker that needs to be locked out, the device must comply with 110.25 and remain in place with or without a lock.

If you are the one who needs to lock out the circuit, a clip on device that you place on the breaker along with your lock is fine.
 
I would like to ask in which cases Loto clip can substitute a disconnect next to utilization equipment.
2$ clip is less expensive than a 100 amp 3 pole disconnect
Theoretically at this point .
 
darekelec said:
I would like to ask in which cases Loto clip can substitute a disconnect next to utilization equipment.
2$ clip is less expensive than a 100 amp 3 pole disconnect
Theoretically at this point .
Click to expand...
If you are building the project, the clip can NEVER substitute for a lockable disconnect that is compliant with 110.25.

The clip can only be used when you are working on equipment that does not have a code compliant lockable disconnect.

Note, I am talking about clips that do not remain attached to a breaker. There are breaker lock kits that attach to the breaker and comply with 110.25.
 
The technical term for those is a 'breaker padlocking device'. And you can use them to make a breaker a lockable disconnect per the NEC anywhere that the device is listed for use with the breaker. I used them many times to comply with article 705 in one jurisdiction that was really picky about that. 5 bucks for a breaker padlocking device sure beat 50+ bucks for a separate bladed disco on a 15A microinverter circuit.

As Don said, NEC requirements for a lockable disconnect (varies per exact equipment and installation) are not to be confused with LOTO requirements that come from OSHA. Related but different.
 
darekelec said:
I would like to ask in which cases Loto clip can substitute a disconnect next to utilization equipment.
2$ clip is less expensive than a 100 amp 3 pole disconnect
Theoretically at this point .
Click to expand...
Art 430 and 440 pretty much require disconnect at the equipment location.

years ago 430 used to allow a breaker lock (permanently attached) the conditions were typically that it had to be within sight of the motor controller - this would have allowed you to use the disconnect on a MCC bucket or a remote combination starter as the disconnecting/lockout means for both controller and the motor or maybe a breaker lock where the motor controller is adjacent to the panelboard. That went away in about 2005 NEC give or take a code cycle I believe.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
They are not suitable for any type of lockout but often are used to "lock" critical circuits, such as a fire alarm power supply in the on position.
Click to expand...
If you go into an existing facility and you do follow rather strict LOTO procedures you can use these clip on devices for your LOTO purposes. They just are not recognized by NEC as a locking means in any places NEC requires a locking means.

When it comes to art 430 and 440 equipment NEC pretty much requires a disconnect within sight of the equipment as well as allowing lockable methods on remote branch circuit device for other specific items, it does not require attaching a lock - that is via a different set of standards - which generally requires finding a method of locking out sources of energy even if there is no lock attachment present, and it applies to locking out all sources of energy not just electrical.

I know you are aware of this, just putting it out there for anyone that maybe doesn't.
 
kwired said:
If you go into an existing facility and you do follow rather strict LOTO procedures you can use these clip on devices for your LOTO
Click to expand...
All of the facilities that follow strict LOTO procedures, that I have worked in provide a 110.25 device on all breakers. Can't tell you how many thousands of the breaker devices that we installed in one facility.
kwired said:
When it comes to art 430 and 440 equipment NEC pretty much requires a disconnect within sight of the equipment
Click to expand...
All of the industrial facilities that I have worked in do not provide a local lock out at the motors because they use the exception to 430.102(B). However there is no such exception for Article 440 equipment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top