Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

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joe tedesco

joe tedesco

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Location
Boston, Massachusetts
New rule in the 2005 NEC:

408.7. Unused Openings. Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall be closed using identified closures, or other approved means that provide protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the enclosure.
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[ February 23, 2005, 04:28 AM: Message edited by: joe tedesco ]
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

So it's not OK to just mark those as not used anymore? :)
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

This is a change to fix a change in the 2002 NEC

[ October 08, 2004, 12:15 PM: Message edited by: tom baker ]
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

Im glad that they made this change to specifically mention panelboard device openings. The confusion seems to come from the 2002 change to 110.12(A), however I feel 110.27 always made breaker k.o. plates a requirement. It may a bit of a stretch, but I think one could relate the hazard to that section.
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

After reading Joe's post, I was suprised this was'nt addressed in 408 before.
Also, I am curious to hear the answer to Physis's question: Can you install a breaker and mark it as unused or "spare?" This is something I have done in the past.
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

There is a difference between ?unused breaker? and ?unused opening for a breaker.? If there is a breaker in the hole, it causes the hole to disappear. There is no longer an ?unused opening.? So I would say that this is an acceptable practice. I don?t even know of a requirement to label the breaker as being ?not used? or ?spare.? It is a good idea, but is it a rule?
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

I'm sorry charlie, I was being sarcastic. This is kind of like I can't beleive you even have to write a code for this. It's like needing someone to hold your hand when you cross the street.
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

This is one of those issues that should have been taken care of a long time ago. But I have to say that even if the Code didn't have something specific as this, it is a major OSHA violation as far as I understand and the fine would be a major one.
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

molotov this was not a problem until the 2002 NEC came out, a change was made that inadvertently left a loophole in the requirements for breaker blanks. This has now been fixed.

You bring up an interesting point about OSHA, as I understand it, OHSA rules are based on the latest NEC so could they fine someone for this under the 2002 NEC?
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

Joe, I had ran across the same situation before and not to be sarcastic but the previous electrician "or person" had left a note on the panelboard saying he would be back in five minutes. The same note was still in place 1 year later !!!! Ten openinings still were open.
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

Here is where the problem came from. Look at 110-12(a) from the '99 code.
(a) Unused Openings. Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.
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And now the same section from the '02 code.
(A) Unused Openings. Unused cable or raceway openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, cutout boxes, meter socket enclosures, equipment cases, or housings shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment. Where metallic plugs or plates are used with nonmetallic enclosures, they shall be recessed at least 6 mm (? in.) from the outer surface of the enclosure.
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This change was make in an attempt to prevent inspectors from requiring that small unused holes intended for equipment mounting be closed. (for example the 1/4" holes in the back of a 4" square box) All they really had to do is to add an exception for small holes that are to be used for mounting the equipment. As it stands now, even with the 2005 code if the unused opening is not for cables, raceways, or circuit breakers or switches, the openings are not required to be closed. The code needs to revert to the '99 wording of 110.12(A) and add an exception for small mounting holes. The code follows a very dangerous path when it specifies things like this, as once you start a list, then the code only applies to the items listed.
Don

[ October 10, 2004, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: don_resqcapt19 ]
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

Don: I think your exception could get lengthy as well though. You would have to include weepholes in exterior boxes, and I'm sure there is more to add once we think about it.
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

Don: exactly right. We still have a problem with 250.8 that only sheet metal screws are a violation. You could use a drywall screw.
Heres anther:
Take a look at 2005 NEC section 410.4 (D).
"no part of chain cable or cord suspended luminaire, track lighting...shall be in the bathtub shhower luminaaire zone.

So what ever is not on the list is allowed, for example a wall mounted lighting sconce!
 
Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

Butch, I don't remember exactly what I wrote on that note but I don't think it was minutes. If it was it had to be more than 5.
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Re: Unused openings for circuit breakers and switches shall

Ryan,
Exception: Holes or openings 1/4" or less in the smallest dimension.

Don
 
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