Sure to be good for a few pages

Status
Not open for further replies.
busman

busman

Senior Member
Location
Northern Virginia
Occupation
Master Electrician / Electrical Engineer
422.35 - Switch and Circuit Breaker to be Indicating
Switches and circuit breakers used as disconnecting means shall be of the indicating type.

There does not appear to be any definition of this in the NEC. Does this mean that I need a Sq.D QO with the little window or a Pushmatic with the ON/OFF. What does this mean???

Mark
 
Back in the 50s, Honeywell used to sell a pushbutton light switch that was quite popular around Minnesota.

It mounted in a standard switch box and had a single button about an 1" in diameter in the center of the faceplate. The faceplate snapped on, screwless.

Unless it was lighted (never saw one that was) it did not indicate in any manner whether it was on or off.
 
al hildenbrand said:
Unless it was lighted (never saw one that was) it did not indicate in any manner whether it was on or off.
Click to expand...
That's easy: if you can see the switch, the light is on. :D
 
busman said:
422.35 - Switch and Circuit Breaker to be Indicating
Switches and circuit breakers used as disconnecting means shall be of the indicating type.

There does not appear to be any definition of this in the NEC. Does this mean that I need a Sq.D QO with the little window or a Pushmatic with the ON/OFF. What does this mean???

Mark
Click to expand...
I'm thinking "trip indication" is what is implied. That is, that middle position the breaker goes to after a trip. Also most fuses come with an overload indication dot on them. It is important to know, when you come on a scene whether an overload has ocurred or the switch is just off.
By the way...bad title. Yes it got my attention, but if someone does a search in the future on "indicating type," they wont find this thread...My bad! just did a search and this thread came up first.
 
Last edited:
I think it means what it says. So when the code allows a three way switch to be a disconnecting means for a separate structures light for instance, it is allowed and not allowed . Never saw a three way with on/off printed or embossed on it.
 
I think that the words "indicating type" would eliminate the use of Decora style rocker switches for disconnects.
 
A lady called our office several weeks ago. She said her husband had installed a new lights switch and when you push the switch toggle downward the light turns on. So I asked,"What happens with you flip the toggle back to the 'up' position?. She replied, "The light goes back off"! So I asked,"Is there any wording on the toggle unit that you can read when the light is 'on'"?
She replied,"Yes, the little toggle handle has the word "NO" on it!!!" :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top