Pigtail in Disconnect switches

[faresos]

Hello every one,

I have a client that requested to have a pigtail connection in disconnect switches (100A/3P & 200A/3P) for their portable equipment. The intent is when they bring a portable equipment, they need to have a mean to connect their wires to the disconnect. Previously, we had power receptacles adjacent to the disconnect switches but it was un practical since these equipment have a different nema configurations and they decided to do without a plugs. So what is the best method to do so? I was thinking just terminate the wires directly to the disconnect lugs but not sure if there is a better way.

Thanks,

 

[just the cowboy]

Who does the hook up

Who does the hook up

I would put a box under the disconnect with a terminal strip in it. That way when the disconnect is off they can hook it up in a non powered box, the other way just hooking into the disconnect you may get involved with HOT work saftey procedures because of the line leads in the disconnect.

 

[Jraef]

Hello every one,

I have a client that requested to have a pigtail connection in disconnect switches (100A/3P & 200A/3P) for their portable equipment. The intent is when they bring a portable equipment, they need to have a mean to connect their wires to the disconnect. Previously, we had power receptacles adjacent to the disconnect switches but it was un practical since these equipment have a different nema configurations and they decided to do without a plugs. So what is the best method to do so? I was thinking just terminate the wires directly to the disconnect lugs but not sure if there is a better way.

Thanks,

So is the disconnect there for normal utility power, and they want to be able to bring in a potable emergency power generator and plug it in at that point? If so, you need to change the disconnects to being double throw, i.e. a Manual Transfer Switch. Otherwise if you plug in the generator down stream of the disconnect, and someone forgets to open the disconnect, the portable generator energizes the line and kills a utility lineman somewhere. Conversely if the utility power comes back on and they forget to unplug the generator and close the disconnect to go back to utility power, the utility will backfeed the generator and all the magic smoke comes out.

 

[infinity]

Sounds like you need something like a company switch like they use in commercial theaters. Door swings open to expose lugs for temp connections. Also it has an interlock so that the door cannot be open when energized.

 

[Jraef]

So is the disconnect there for normal utility power, and they want to be able to bring in a potable emergency power generator and plug it in at that point? If so, you need to change the disconnects to being double throw, i.e. a Manual Transfer Switch. Otherwise if you plug in the generator down stream of the disconnect, and someone forgets to open the disconnect, the portable generator energizes the line and kills a utility lineman somewhere. Conversely if the utility power comes back on and they forget to unplug the generator and close the disconnect to go back to utility power, the utility will backfeed the generator and all the magic smoke comes out.

D'oh! Never mind.

I think I totally missed the point on this, I was thinking INLET, now that I read it again, I see you probably meant it as an OUTLET application...


You can use something like this:

It's called a Power Distribution Block, they are available with studs (if they have ring terminals crimped to their wires) or mechanical compression lugs. The problem might be that a typical disconnect switch is not really made to house anything other than itself, so you will likely run into legal wire bending space constraints if you try to mount this inside of the same enclosure. But you could put these in a properly sized box below it, or buy separate disconnect switches and put them in over sized enclosures on your own.