Six operations of the hand...

[ToolHound]

Six operations of the hand... ???????

What's the deal-e-o on 'six operations of the hand' ?
Six switches?
Six movements of a single lever to wind up some sort of a ratchet-n-release switch mechanism?
Other ?

The 'six operations of the hand' phrase is part of 230.71(B) Code subsection. See 230.71(B) down near bottom of this post.

= = = = = =
[quoting from the Code:]
Chapter 2 Wiring and Protection
ARTICLE 230 Services
VI. Service Equipment ? Disconnecting Means

230.71 Maximum Number of Disconnects.
(A) General. The service disconnecting means for each service permitted by 230.2, or for each set of service-entrance conductors permitted by 230.40, Exception No. 1, 3, 4, or 5, shall consist of not more than six switches or sets of circuit breakers, or a combination of not more than six switches and sets of circuit breakers, mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate enclosures, or in or on a switchboard. There shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location.

For the purpose of this section, disconnecting means installed as part of listed equipment and used solely for the following shall not be considered a service disconnecting means:

(1)

Power monitoring equipment
(2)

Surge-protective device(s)
(3)

Control circuit of the ground-fault protection system
(4)

Power-operable service disconnecting means

Section 230.71(A) specifies the maximum number of disconnects permitted as the disconnecting means for the service conductors that supply the building or structure. One set of service-entrance conductors, either overhead or underground, is permitted to supply two to six service disconnecting means in lieu of a single main disconnect. A single-occupancy building can have up to six disconnects for each set of service-entrance conductors. Multiple-occupancy buildings (residential or other than residential) can be provided with one main service disconnect or up to six main disconnects for each set of service-entrance conductors.

Multiple-occupancy buildings may have service-entrance conductors run to each occupancy, and each such set of service-entrance conductors may have from one to six disconnects (see 230.40, Exception No. 1).

Exhibit 230.25 shows a single enclosure for grouping service equipment that consists of six circuit breakers or six fused switches. This arrangement does not require a single main service disconnecting means. Six separate enclosures also would be permitted as the service equipment. Where factory-installed switches that disconnect power to surge protective devices and power monitoring equipment are included as part of listed equipment, the last sentence of 230.71(A) specifies that the disconnect switch for such equipment installed as part of the listed equipment does not count as one of the six service disconnecting means permitted by 230.71(A). The disconnecting means for the control circuit of ground-fault protection equipment or for a power-operable service disconnecting means are also not considered to be service disconnecting means where such disconnecting means are installed as a component of listed equipment.

Exhibit 230.25 [exhibit image shown at end of this post] A service equipment enclosure that groups six service disconnecting means.

(B) Single-Pole Units. Two or three single-pole switches or breakers, capable of individual operation, shall be permitted on multiwire circuits, one pole for each ungrounded conductor, as one multipole disconnect, provided they are equipped with identified handle ties or a master handle to disconnect all conductors of the service with no more than six operations of the hand.
(END QUOTE)

THANKS.
= = = = = =

(Exhibit 230.25 [below] A service equipment enclosure that groups six service disconnecting means)

 

[ToolHound]

What's in a name...

What's in a name...

What's the name or term for the sort of switch...maybe used just on large switchgear situations....where you pump a single lever multiple times (as if winding up a ratchet-spring) and at some point upon adequate mechanical energy from the pumping action being stored (in a spring ?) the switch action occurs. Maybe it's such a monster switch, requiring significant force and decisive speed, so pumping up mechanical energy is only way to do it. ???? Switch name/term ?????

 

[texie]

What's the name or term for the sort of switch...maybe used just on large switchgear situations....where you pump a single lever multiple times (as if winding up a ratchet-spring) and at some point upon adequate mechanical energy from the pumping action being stored (in a spring ?) the switch action occurs. Maybe it's such a monster switch, requiring significant force and decisive speed, so pumping up mechanical energy is only way to do it. ???? Switch name/term ?????

You pretty much got it. It is known a stored energy/bolted pressure switch. Known as brand names Pringle(Eaton), BoltLoc(Square D) and others. But this has no relation to six throws of the hand. That defines not more than 6 operations of the hand for the 6 main rule for services.

 

[Besoeker]

Six operations of the hand... ???????

What's the deal-e-o on 'six operations of the hand' ?

Got a link?

 

[ToolHound]

You pretty much got it. It is known a stored energy/bolted pressure switch. Known as brand names Pringle(Eaton), BoltLoc(Square D) and others. But this has no relation to six throws of the hand. That defines not more than 6 operations of the hand for the 6 main rule for services.

texie. Pringle. BoltLoc. Ok. Thanks. It's a plus to know what something is named/called. Good to know. --ToolHound

 

[ToolHound]

Code quote:

230.71(B)
(B) Single-Pole Units. Two or three single-pole switches or breakers, capable of individual operation, shall be permitted on multiwire circuits, one pole for each ungrounded conductor, as one multipole disconnect, provided they are equipped with identified handle ties or a master handle to disconnect all conductors of the service with no more than six operations of the hand.

You pretty much got it. It is known a stored energy/bolted pressure switch. Known as brand names Pringle(Eaton), BoltLoc(Square D) and others. But this has no relation to six throws of the hand. That defines not more than 6 operations of the hand for the 6 main rule for services.

Would I be correct in saying that...the no more than 'six operations of the hand' rule correlates to the 230.71(A) rule of "not more than six switches and sets of circuit breakers" for the service disconnecting means for each service ? Something like that? In other words...six operations of the hand to turn off six switches and sets of circuit breakers. I guess that's the meaning ???

Thanks. --ToolHound

 

[kwired]

Code quote:







Would I be correct in saying that...the no more than 'six operations of the hand' rule correlates to the 230.71(A) rule of "not more than six switches and sets of circuit breakers" for the service disconnecting means for each service ? Something like that? In other words...six operations of the hand to turn off six switches and sets of circuit breakers. I guess that's the meaning ???

Thanks. --ToolHound

Yes, I think it is just clarification that a two or three pole breaker or switch only counts as one device as long as they open all the necessary conductors of the circuit they are associated with. You could have 18 poles but only six handles if applying this to a three phase installation.

 

[jap]

Would you all consider for example,a strip mall that had 12 individual self contained meter bases with (12)
individual fused service disconnects or Enclosed Breakers directly below each meter, with 12 seperate risers,legal,if the power company was to feed all 12 risers from a single transformer bank and daisy chain all 12
risers together, as long as all of the meters and disconnects were grouped in one location?

 

[ToolHound]

Would you all consider for example,a strip mall that had 12 individual self contained meter bases with (12)
individual fused service disconnects or Enclosed Breakers directly below each meter, with 12 seperate risers,legal,if the power company was to feed all 12 risers from a single transformer bank and daisy chain all 12
risers together, as long as all of the meters and disconnects were grouped in one location?

12 disconnects ? Sounds different from 230.71(A). See copy of Code subsection 230.71(A) copied in original post #1 above.

 

[jap]

12 disconnects ? Sounds different from 230.71(A). See copy of Code subsection 230.71(A) copied in original post #1 above.

If one was to take the plate off the end of the 6 meter pack in the original post and add 2 more 3 packs
do you all think that would be a violation?

 

[Little Bill]

I think the "six throws of the hand" term comes from firemen. Where they know that no more than six throws of the hand will kill the power to a building/structure.

I think it says that in the handbook but I don't have time to look now.

 

[kwired]

Would you all consider for example,a strip mall that had 12 individual self contained meter bases with (12)
individual fused service disconnects or Enclosed Breakers directly below each meter, with 12 seperate risers,legal,if the power company was to feed all 12 risers from a single transformer bank and daisy chain all 12
risers together, as long as all of the meters and disconnects were grouped in one location?

230.71(A) says "There shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location."

If each occupant had a service within their own space it does allow that, but if all the supplies to each space come from one location I think you need to have no more than six mains at that location.

 

[jap]

230.71(A) says "There shall be not more than six sets of disconnects per service grouped in any one location."

If each occupant had a service within their own space it does allow that, but if all the supplies to each space come from one location I think you need to have no more than six mains at that location.

The Power Company here considers each Tennant Breaker its own service disconnect.
You could gang 20 meter/mains together if you wanted to.
Also if you purchase a group metering system with a Single Main Disconnect in the Terminal Box, because
you have more than (6) Meter Main Combo's on the load side,they will make you take the Main out or
bypass it.
They will not allow you to install a disconnect on the line side of the meters.
They consider that thier part.

 

[kwired]

The Power Company here considers each Tennant Breaker its own service disconnect.
You could gang 20 meter/mains together if you wanted to.
Also if you purchase a group metering system with a Single Main Disconnect in the Terminal Box, because
you have more than (6) Meter Main Combo's on the load side,they will make you take the Main out or
bypass it.
They will not allow you to install a disconnect on the line side of the meters.
They consider that thier part.

That may be the way the POCO chooses to see it, but that is not the way NEC sees it. How does the electrical inspectors in the area handle this?

 

[jap]

So far they've allowed it on the few that have been installed.
Although I could see it becoming a real issue if they didnt agree.