oldcarsbreakdown
New member
- Location
- CA
I cannot find anything on this topic. MCP's come with print storage racks on the inside door of the panel. Prints are paper, a combustible, so can they be stored inside the panel?
Schematic storage in a panel
- Thread starter oldcarsbreakdown
- Start date
- Status
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
what code prohibits one from storing something combustible in a control panel?
mgookin
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Myers, FL
- Occupation
- Retired inspector, plans examiner & building official
Some people keep guns in there.
Loaded!
Loaded!
JDB3
Senior Member
- Location
- San Antonio, Texas
NM (romex) wire comes with paper under the outer insulation.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
The listing label inside the panel is made of paper.
The only thing I can think of right now that may be remotely applicable is 110.18 (I doubt it)- unless there is some weird OSHA something or another spot in the NEC that would further deal w/ paper combustibles in panels?
Last edited:
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
It seems that most plant safety departments think there is some rule that say you can't put paper in the panel, as they very often prohibit that.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
I might be inclined to ban it on the grounds that you have to open up the cabinet to get at the drawings that would mean you have to get the suit on in many cases.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
The safety guys that I have talked to said it was based on the combustibility of the paper.
One plant has started using a non-combustible tube to store drawings within the panel.
The panels in question were PLC or DCS control panels with a very low or even nonexistent arc flash hazard.
Aleman
Senior Member
- Location
- Southern Ca, USA
Unaware of any code prohibiting this. The vast majority of control panels I have seen or worked on have prints in them. Makes it a lot easier
when you are working on it and no need to look for a drawing. If a rule exists that prohibits this then it is widely ignored. Kind of like speed limits
and dark window tints on cars.
when you are working on it and no need to look for a drawing. If a rule exists that prohibits this then it is widely ignored. Kind of like speed limits
and dark window tints on cars.
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
When I worked in a factory that had nomenclature stored in the doors, it was copies of stuff I could get from files in an office if I wanted them. It was a pretty good system if followed and kept updated.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
All ASCO ATS's come with a large set of paper schematics right in the door. I've never know this to be a problem. I've seen the same thing for generator control panels. Seems like a really good place for them if a tech needs to come into the field and work on the equipment.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Smith and Loveless sewer lift control panels have a couple dozen or so pieces of paper in their manuals and a folded up schematics in a pouch inside the door. Seems like the most sensible place for them as well.
cdevine
Member
- Location
- Brisbane, Australia
Not sure whether this will be any help but I have walked around a site with an underwriter's engineer and been told to remove all the drawings out of panels. The message was that while not being an ignition source, reduction of combustible materials has been shown to reduce damage in the event of a fire.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
I can't stand guys who think this way.
I've seen paper instructions folded up in a timeclock that fell out on the floor when I opened the door.
Although I appreciate having them handy, common sense would make you think that paper in close proximity to a contact closure could possibly start a fire.
JAP>
Although I appreciate having them handy, common sense would make you think that paper in close proximity to a contact closure could possibly start a fire.
JAP>
Carultch
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
For best results, store them in an otherwise empty enclosure, and permanently label the enclosure "schematic storage".
Another solution is to laminate and adhere the schematics to the inside walls, just like a panelboard schedule would be attached. Locate it to avoid physical contact with any live parts or wires.
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