SAFETY
- Thread starter cs
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: SAFETY
I don't know as I have never seen a bus duct. But here is what I think and we'll see how I do:
The manufactures instructions would state if it could be done energized, this would depend on the design and voltage. The PPE required would depend on the fault current available.
I don't know as I have never seen a bus duct. But here is what I think and we'll see how I do:
The manufactures instructions would state if it could be done energized, this would depend on the design and voltage. The PPE required would depend on the fault current available.
romex jockey
Senior Member
- Location
- Vermont
- Occupation
- electrician
Re: SAFETY
my $.02...the age and condition should be considered here. If it hasn't been off in 30 years it'll go hard.
my $.02...the age and condition should be considered here. If it hasn't been off in 30 years it'll go hard.
Re: SAFETY
You would definitely have a big problem if you tried to remove a bus duct plug if the plug were loaded since it's not to be considered a load break device.
Other than that, unloaded I would foresee no problems. HOWEVER, I personally would get a set of instructions from the manufacturer of the duct before attempting to do so. If they are not available from any source I would not chance it.
You may only get one chance.
You would definitely have a big problem if you tried to remove a bus duct plug if the plug were loaded since it's not to be considered a load break device.
Other than that, unloaded I would foresee no problems. HOWEVER, I personally would get a set of instructions from the manufacturer of the duct before attempting to do so. If they are not available from any source I would not chance it.
You may only get one chance.
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: SAFETY
It would depend on the type of buss as some are bolted to the busses and would be imposable to remove safely while energized.
It would depend on the type of buss as some are bolted to the busses and would be imposable to remove safely while energized.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: SAFETY
These are good common sense posts. I will add,
Qualified Person: One who has the skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety taining in the hazards involved.
As templdl has mentioned, you may only get one chance!
Pierre
These are good common sense posts. I will add,
Qualified Person: One who has the skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety taining in the hazards involved.
As templdl has mentioned, you may only get one chance!
Pierre
Re: SAFETY
And then you read about the guy who went to replace a cartridge fuse that the fuse clip was over 40 years old and the clip bent over and touched another clip there was an arc flash and the guy died 3 days later; because the factory did not want to shut down the system and there was a disconnect blocked; Just be careful, and you may only get 1 chance
And then you read about the guy who went to replace a cartridge fuse that the fuse clip was over 40 years old and the clip bent over and touched another clip there was an arc flash and the guy died 3 days later; because the factory did not want to shut down the system and there was a disconnect blocked; Just be careful, and you may only get 1 chance
charlie tuna
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: SAFETY
i have done it many times, but i now do not do it and don't allow my men to do it. shuting down the bus for ten minutes after hours or early in the morning cost a few dollars but the risk of lost of life or damage to equipment is usually great. the clearances where the tap fingers meet the bus are very narrow. i had to install an 800 amp-480 volt bus tap on a ite 4000 amp bus in an office building. when ordering the tap, they asked me a question about which side of the bus the neutral was on? i had to remove the access cover to find out. i asked the local ite representative if i could do this with the bus energized? "no problem" was the answer. well, as we removed the last screw on the cover plate, a screw support bracket inside the access hole fell down and hit the bus. quite an explosion occurred- tripped the ground fault - shut down the bus feeding 34 stories of offices. myself and a fellow employee had some flash burns(not serious) blisters. i called the representative and he then admitted he "really" didn't know for sure before telling me it could be done while energized. we all see crazy things in installations everyday - people rig things - manufacturers cut corners - and when you tell the customer it must be shut down for the safety of your men and to protect his equipment, they usually understand. if you have the tap switch ready, the shutdown time is ten minutes!!!!
i have done it many times, but i now do not do it and don't allow my men to do it. shuting down the bus for ten minutes after hours or early in the morning cost a few dollars but the risk of lost of life or damage to equipment is usually great. the clearances where the tap fingers meet the bus are very narrow. i had to install an 800 amp-480 volt bus tap on a ite 4000 amp bus in an office building. when ordering the tap, they asked me a question about which side of the bus the neutral was on? i had to remove the access cover to find out. i asked the local ite representative if i could do this with the bus energized? "no problem" was the answer. well, as we removed the last screw on the cover plate, a screw support bracket inside the access hole fell down and hit the bus. quite an explosion occurred- tripped the ground fault - shut down the bus feeding 34 stories of offices. myself and a fellow employee had some flash burns(not serious) blisters. i called the representative and he then admitted he "really" didn't know for sure before telling me it could be done while energized. we all see crazy things in installations everyday - people rig things - manufacturers cut corners - and when you tell the customer it must be shut down for the safety of your men and to protect his equipment, they usually understand. if you have the tap switch ready, the shutdown time is ten minutes!!!!
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Re: SAFETY
My 2 cents:
I am involved in one case where death occured, one case where there was injury and several where there is equipment damage........I would not do this.
My 2 cents:
I am involved in one case where death occured, one case where there was injury and several where there is equipment damage........I would not do this.
romex jockey
Senior Member
- Location
- Vermont
- Occupation
- electrician
Re: SAFETY
I really can't answer wheather Buss disco's are listed to be disengaged with the Buss energized, i wish i could here.
I've been asked, and have done so in an operating manufacturing plant many times.
Years later, another electrician recieved a debilitating injury from doing this very same thing (he is now prematurely retired)
Naturally, fines were levied
The company has changed hands, and now i suspect the same 'live' procedure is being routinely carried out as before
so...who the real victim is certainly (at least to me) something to consider...
I really can't answer wheather Buss disco's are listed to be disengaged with the Buss energized, i wish i could here.
I've been asked, and have done so in an operating manufacturing plant many times.
Years later, another electrician recieved a debilitating injury from doing this very same thing (he is now prematurely retired)
Naturally, fines were levied
The company has changed hands, and now i suspect the same 'live' procedure is being routinely carried out as before
so...who the real victim is certainly (at least to me) something to consider...
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