water heater disconnect

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nukeantz

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I have a outdoor panel with a quad breaker breaker feeding a water heater in the crawl space(other part of quad is feeding another 220 circuit). I can not fit a breaker lock on the quad breaker. If the outdoor panel has the ability of a lock being installed to lock the entire panel, will that meet the code requirements for the means of locking out the breaker for the water heater?
 
Check Art 422.31 (2005 NEC). It says the "switch or circuit breaker". I would think the locking of a panel does not meet the requirement.
 
Just to be different I would say that the panel lock would lock the breaker in the open position.

What does on or at the the switch or cb mean. IMO, at the switch or cb could mean the panel itself.

(B) Appliances Rated over 300 Volt-Amperes or Horsepower. For permanently connected appliances rated over 300 volt-amperes or hp, the branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means where the switch or circuit breaker is within sight from the appliance or is capable of being locked in the open position. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed.
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Dennis Alwon said:
Just to be different I would say that the panel lock would lock the breaker in the open position.

What does on or at the the switch or cb mean. IMO, at the switch or cb could mean the panel itself.
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And a panel door is not either the switch or breaker. I have tried to get by with this before and was shot down.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
And a panel door is not either the switch or breaker. I have tried to get by with this before and was shot down.
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Jim it says at or on the cb or switch. If the equipment can be safely worked on without fear of energizing then I don't see what the issue is. The panel lock will keep the switch or cb in the open position. A breaker lock will offer no more protection.

Well, I guess it would depend on who had the key. If I install my own lock then no one else can close the breaker
 
So would a Square D panel with a lockable door be considered code compliant also? The lock stays on the cover but there are many keys that will fit.
 
jamesoftn said:
So would a Square D panel with a lockable door be considered code compliant also? The lock stays on the cover but there are many keys that will fit.
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Well, that's a good question but I would not feel comfortable working on equipment knowing there were other keys out there.
 
Since when did a door or cover become a disconnecting means ,..


"....adding a lock to the disconnecting means...."
 
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