NEC & Electrical Panel Lock Out

[rlcemente]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the NEC....

Is there anything in the NEC that says whether or not an electrical panel (commercial building) can be locked out during normal operation?

In other words, we are all accustomed to locking out a breaker of panel when necessary to allow for electrical repairs etc to be comnpletem, but can I lock an electrical panel (24/7) to prohibit others from accessing that panel and unlock it only to allow "qualified personnel" to service equipment controlled by that specific panel?

Hope that made sense; please feel free to email me at roberto.clemente@cirquedusoleil.com

Thank you!!!

Robetro Clemente

 

[chevyx92]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the NEC....

Is there anything in the NEC that says whether or not an electrical panel (commercial building) can be locked out during normal operation?

In other words, we are all accustomed to locking out a breaker of panel when necessary to allow for electrical repairs etc to be comnpletem, but can I lock an electrical panel (24/7) to prohibit others from accessing that panel and unlock it only to allow "qualified personnel" to service equipment controlled by that specific panel?

Hope that made sense; please feel free to email me at roberto.clemente@cirquedusoleil.com

Thank you!!!

Robetro Clemente

Yes you may.

 

[hurk27]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the NEC....

Is there anything in the NEC that says whether or not an electrical panel (commercial building) can be locked out during normal operation?

In other words, we are all accustomed to locking out a breaker of panel when necessary to allow for electrical repairs etc to be comnpletem, but can I lock an electrical panel (24/7) to prohibit others from accessing that panel and unlock it only to allow "qualified personnel" to service equipment controlled by that specific panel?

Hope that made sense; please feel free to email me at roberto.clemente@cirquedusoleil.com

Thank you!!!

Robetro Clemente

Nope, unless you can meet the requirements in one of 240.24 exceptions?

 

[chevyx92]

Nope, unless you can meet the requirements in one of 240.24 exceptions?

I beg to differ, read 240.24(B)(2).

 

[hurk27]

I beg to differ, read 240.24(B)(2).

And in the 2002 and 2005 it was an exception which said basically the same thing, you have to meet 240.24(B)(1) or (2)

240.24(B) exception (2) 2005/2002 branch circuit overcurrent devices supplying any guest rooms shall be permitted to be accessible to only authorized management personnel for guest rooms of hotels and motels that are intended for transient occupancy.

also 240.24(B)(2) is for hotels and motels, without facility's for cooking, not office buildings, which then 240.24(B)(1) applies, but notice it is only for service OCPD's or for feeders, not branch circuits

The 2008 just clarified this, and made it a requirement not an exception.

I don't know how you would apply this to an office? in (B)(1) you would still have to have on-site maintenance to meet the:

Where electric service and electrical maintenance are provided by the building management and where these are under continuous building management supervision

Requirement? but that doesn't allow for locking up the branch circuit OCPD's