SERVICE PANELBOARD MAIN LUG BARRIERS

[Arnold Graves]

408.3 (A) (2) Barriers shall be placed in all service panelboards, switchboards, and switchgear such that no uninsulated, ungrounded service busbar or service terminal is exposed to inadvertent contact by persons or maintenance equipment while servicing load terminations. If I replace the main breaker in an old panel that does not have barriers, am I required to install barriers on the new breaker?

 

[qcroanoke]

408.3 (A) (2) Barriers shall be placed in all service panelboards, switchboards, and switchgear such that no uninsulated, ungrounded service busbar or service terminal is exposed to inadvertent contact by persons or maintenance equipment while servicing load terminations. If I replace the main breaker in an old panel that does not have barriers, am I required to install barriers on the new breaker?

If they came with it I would say yes. But I certainly wouldn't modify anything or buy barriers if they didn't come with it.
I would make the inspector require me to do that if it was being inspected.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

If they came with it I would say yes. But I certainly wouldn't modify anything or buy barriers if they didn't come with it.
I would make the inspector require me to do that if it was being inspected.

That's a great question. I would also recommend talking with the AHJ and see if a local amendment can be added for that case. Hate to see a home owner have to pay for a service change via a new breaker.

Im pretty sure a level headed AHJ would agree. Also pretty sure a level headed electrician would feel the same.

Be sure the code year is in effect if not you time to have a talk with the AHJ.

 

[LarryFine]

In my opinion, the like-for-like principle applies here.

 

[jaggedben]

I normally would assume you don't have to. In my experience you would rarely if ever get asked to. But 'grandfathering' is almost always an AHJ decision. It is very rarely addressed in the code, and not in this case.

Also unless the panel is new enough that there are manufacturer barriers available for the design, I think you can't do it. Fashioning your own would not be legit IMO.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

Square D includes them with panels that have a main breaker, but not with MLO panels. I suppose the reasoning is, if it's a sub, and you're going to be working in it, you can just go turn off the feeder breaker.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

408.3 (A) (2) Barriers shall be placed in all service panelboards, switchboards, and switchgear such that no uninsulated, ungrounded service busbar or service terminal is exposed to inadvertent contact by persons or maintenance equipment while servicing load terminations. If I replace the main breaker in an old panel that does not have barriers, am I required to install barriers on the new breaker?

But why not just do it? They are less than $10 and provide a good safety measure.

 

[jaggedben]

But why not just do it? They are less than $10 and provide a good safety measure.

What's less than $10?
Like I said, for older designs there may be no product available.