Removing a breaker

R

ROHM

Member
Location
USA
Occupation
Engineer
I have several Eaton Magnum DS breakers that I am removing. They are spare breakers and are already in the disconnect position. Would it be safe to remove the breakers while not wearing an arc flash suit? They are already disconnected from the bus and I don't see an arc flash hazard present to do so.
Please share your thoughts along with any supporting recommendations from manufacturers on this.
 
Go to Table 130.5(C) in NFPA 70E, Estimate of Likelihood of Occurrence of an Arc-Flash Incident, and you'll see the task you're doing and that there is a chance of an arc-flash incident, regardless of the condition, so I would be suited to the incident energy level that's available.
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....unless it's arc-resistant switchgear!
 
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ROHM said:
Would it be safe to remove the breakers while not wearing an arc flash suit?
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NO.

Arc flash, and other, PPE is always required when working on or near exposed energized conductors.

The NEC is about installations.
Groups like OSHA and insurance company policies usually refer to NFPA 70E.
 
Once the door is open, you are at risk. If the arc flash event happens in another part of the gear, the open door in front of you becomes a blast furnace.
 
You ought to suit up, but I wouldn't unless the equipment is in poor condition. (Or a very knowledgeable safety guy was around ... )

Ya know, you put on that suit, and suddenly everything becomes difficult and awkward. You can't use your senses of smell, hearing, sight, or touch properly. Like let's say it starts to jamb because something is bent. You're sweating like a pig, and just want to get the damn thing out so you can get out of the suit. Your standby is trying to tell you to hang on a minute, you don't hear him, give it a good yank, and BAM. Oh, but that's OK because you had your PPE on?
 
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TwoBlocked said:
You ought to suit up, but I wouldn't unless the equipment is in poor condition. (Or a very knowledgeable safety guy was around ... )

Ya know, you put on that suit, and suddenly everything becomes difficult and awkward. You can't use your senses of smell, hearing, sight, or touch properly. Like let's say it starts to jamb because something is bent. You're sweating like a pig, and just want to get the damn thing out so you can get out of the suit. Your standby is trying to tell you to hang on a minute, you don't hear him, give it a good yank, and BAM. Oh, but that's OK because you had your PPE on?
Click to expand...
Agree 100%
 
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