The disconnecting means shall be an enclosed externally operable fused motor circuit switch or circuit breaker capable of being locked in the open position. Employers may only use portable distribution and termination boxes that meet the following requirements: Occupational Safety & Health Administration. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. Headroom. Each service, feeder, and branch circuit, at its disconnecting means or overcurrent device, shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident. A fence may not be less than 2.13 m (7.0 ft) in height or a combination of 1.80 m (6.0 ft) or more of fence fabric and a 305-mm (1-ft) or more extension utilizing three or more strands of barbed wire or equivalent. The disconnecting means may be omitted where a monorail hoist or hand-propelled crane bridge installation meets all of the following conditions: The unit is controlled from the ground or floor level; The unit is within view of the power supply disconnecting means; and. Please refer to paragraph 1910.305(j)(4) which, with exceptions, requires an individual disconnecting means for each motor and its associated controller. Our interpretations letters explain the requirements, and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they can not create additional employer obligations. Resistance welders. horizontally shall be provided. Distances shall be measured from the live parts, if they are exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening, if they are enclosed. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. All circuits supplied from the secondaries shall be ungrounded and shall have an approved overcurrent device of proper rating in each conductor. Installation and use. If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. Interlock switches shall be connected in such a manner as to remove all power from the applicator when any one of the access doors or panels is open. Fortunately, the OSHA electrical panel clearance requirements are taken directly from the NEC. The working width around the panel must be at least 30 inches. Walls constructed of concrete, brick, or tile are considered to be grounded surfaces. The depth shall be as required in Table K-2. In locations where electric equipment would be exposed to physical damage, enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage. This could be literally hundreds of machines. Where bare energized parts at any voltage or insulated energized parts above 600 volts are located adjacent to such entrance, they shall be guarded. 1910.305 (b): Wiring requirements for cabinets, boxes, and fittings. For serious, other-than-serious, and posting requirement violations, OSHA issues a fine amount of $14,502 per violation. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. By location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure that is accessible only to qualified persons; By suitable permanent, substantial partitions or screens so arranged so that only qualified persons will have access to the space within reach of the live parts. 3. Preventing Obstructions Around Electrical Panels, NEC 110.26 specifies is that all electrical panels, the NFPA 70e electrical panel clearance requirements, Floor Marking for Electrical Panel Compliance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). With these tools, floor marking for electrical panel compliance can be accomplished without spending too much on time or effort. Remote crane or hoist controls that may introduce hazardous electrical conditions into the cell line working zone shall employ one or more of the following systems: Pendant pushbutton with nonconductive supporting means and with nonconductive surfaces or ungrounded exposed conductive surfaces; or. Driving machines, motor-generator sets, or motion and operation controllers not within sight of the disconnecting means shall be provided with a manually operated switch installed in the control circuit to prevent starting. Working space. Electric equipment may not be used unless the following markings have been placed on the equipment: The manufacturer's name, trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for the product may be identified; and. The minimum working space height required for this disconnect switch is 6 1 / 2 feet (see Figure 1). Working space for equipment likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall comply with the following dimensions, except as required or permitted elsewhere in this subpart: The depth of the working space in the direction of access to live parts may not be less than indicated in Table S-1. Another nice thing about having these standardized requirements is that they apply across national boarders. Although there were no documented injuries to warrant this change, it's obvious that this requirement should enhance safety. When installing or updating an electrical panel, it is important to make sure that there is plenty of room around the panel for the electrician to safely work. When looking into electrical panel clearance safety, you need to start by looking at the requirements put in place by the national electric code, or NEC. 1910.305 (g): Wiring requirements for flexible cords and cables. If we can be of further assistance, please contact the Office of General Industry [at (202) 693-1850]. Defiance, Ohio 43512 These markings shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved. Keep the fire inside the fireplace. (10 cm) for every 10 kV over that voltage. The provisions of paragraphs (j)(2), (j)(3), and (j)(4) of this section do not apply to equipment on the supply side of the service conductors. Miles, Jr., Director No provision may be made to close this disconnecting means automatically (that is, power may only be restored by manual means). A disconnecting means shall be provided for each motor and controller. All electric equipment, including power supply cords, operating at more than 15 volts and used with fountains shall be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters. Grouping. Electrical equipment shall not be used unless the manufacturer's name, trademark, or other descriptive marking by which the organization responsible for the product may be identified is placed on the equipment and unless other markings are provided giving voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary. Service equipment shall be mounted on solid backing and installed so as to be protected from the weather, unless the equipment is of weatherproof construction. Where the driving machine is located in a remote machinery space, a single disconnecting means for disconnecting all ungrounded main power supply conductors shall be provided and be capable of being locked in the open position. Since electrical fires are one of the biggest risks that a facility can face, it should come as no surprise to find that the NFPA has requirements in this area. Connection of conductors to terminal parts shall ensure a good connection without damaging the conductors and shall be made by means of pressure connectors (including set-screw type), solder lugs, or splices to flexible leads. Parts of electric equipment which in ordinary operation produce arcs, sparks, flames, or molten metal shall be enclosed or separated and isolated from all combustible material. 110-26 of the National Electrical Code (NEC): 1) at least a 3-ft clearance in front of all electrical equipment; 2) a 30 in.-wide working space in front of equipment operating at 600V or less; and 3) minimum headroom clearance of 6 ft or the height of the . There would be no additional need to deenergize circuits for other equipment to deenergize a motor and its controller disconnected by an individual disconnecting means which meets paragraph 1910.305(j)(4) requirements. Mr. John C. (Jack) Schuldt, Sr. On switchboard and control panels exceeding 48 inches (1.22 m) in width, there shall be one entrance at each end of such board where practicable. 1910.303 (g) (1) (vi) (B) For installations built on or after August 13, 2007, 1.98 m (6.5 ft), except that where the electrical equipment exceeds 1.98 m (6.5 ft) in height, the minimum headroom may not be less than the height of the equipment. Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment. As a basic rule, there should be at least 3 feet of space in front of all equipment with a 30 inch width as well as 6 feet of headroom space. It also helps by segmenting the power off in a way that prevents a full power outage when there is an issue in one area. Because this cabinet you saw is located near an exit door, let's first look at OSHA's general requirements for exit routes, emergency action plans and fire prevention plans [20 CFR 1910.37-39]. Receptacles on circuits supplied by an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary: May not be used in any other location in the facility. 10 or smaller conductors may be connected by means of wire binding screws or studs and nuts having upturned lugs or equivalent. On elevators without generator field control, the disconnecting means shall be located within sight of the motor controller. The points of control shall be located so that persons are prevented from contacting any live part or moving part of the equipment while turning on the lights. Concrete, brick, and tile walls are considered as grounded surfaces. Auxiliary electric equipment, such as motors, transducers, sensors, control devices, and alarms, mounted on an electrolytic cell or other energized surface shall be connected to the premises wiring systems by any of the following means: Multiconductor hard usage or extra hard usage flexible cord; Wire or cable in suitable nonmetallic raceways or cable trays; or. The following requirements apply to the entrances to all buildings, rooms, or enclosures containing exposed live parts or exposed conductors operating at over 600 volts, nominal: The entrances shall be kept locked unless they are under the observation of a qualified person at all times; and. Installation and use. Exception. The conductors and equipment required or permitted by this subpart shall be acceptable only if approved, as defined in 1910.399. Ungrounded portable electric equipment shall be distinctively marked and shall employ plugs and receptacles of a configuration that prevents connection of this equipment to grounding receptacles and that prevents inadvertent interchange of ungrounded and grounded portable electric equipment. This would permit the motor disconnect to be located above 6'7" Chris Dennis Alwon Moderator Staff member Location Chapel Hill, NC Occupation Retired Electrical Contractor Even if they know how much room in inches is required, they may not be able to properly estimate how much room they are leaving when placing items in the area. Pan If the disconnect for a piece of HVAC equipment doesn't have any fuses, then can you make the argument the switch will not require maintenance so that 3' clearance isn't required? Distances shall be measured from the live parts, if they are exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening, if they are enclosed. All panel controls shall be of dead-front construction. Where doors are used giving access to voltages of over 1000 volts ac or dc, either mechanical lockouts with a disconnecting means to prevent access until circuit parts within the cubicle are deenergized, or both door interlocking and mechanical door locks, shall be provided. This means once you understand the NEC panel clearance requirements, you will also know those that OSHA puts forth. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. If fixed electric equipment is mounted on an energized conductive surface, it shall be bonded to that surface. Question 2: A motor control center does not meet Table S-1 work clearances required under paragraph 1910.303(g)(1) when working on live parts operating at 600 volts or less. Examination, installation, and use of equipment -. The clearance around the electric panel must be at least 30 inches wide with 3 of front workspace clearance. Unguarded live parts above working space shall be maintained at elevations not less than specified in Table K-3. Mounting. Removable links or removable conductors may be used as the disconnecting means. Openings in ventilated dry-type transformers and similar openings in other equipment shall be designed so that foreign objects inserted through these openings will be deflected from energized parts. The frames and enclosures of portable electric equipment used within the cell line working zone may not be grounded, unless the cell line circuit voltage does not exceed 200 volts DC or the frames are guarded. Circuit impedance and other characteristics. When the system is put back into production there is a chance of many more hazards developing that would have to be addressed. No architectural appurtenance or other equipment may be located in the working space required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this section. A means shall be provided to disconnect power to all electronic equipment in an information technology equipment room. Most people think only about the area directly in front of the electrical panel. The disconnecting means shall be constructed, enclosed, or located so as to avoid contact by employees with its live parts. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device designed for the purpose. Minimum clear distances may be 0.7 m (2.5 ft) for installations built before April 16, 1981. Soldered splices shall first be so spliced or joined as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then soldered. On a regular basis, they should go out and inspect the areas around them to make sure nothing has been placed where it should not go. Services shall be installed in accordance with applicable requirements of this subpart, and, in addition, shall comply with the following: Service equipment may not be installed in a location that is accessible to unqualified persons, unless the equipment is lockable; and. Amusement rides and amusement attractions shall be maintained not less than 4.57 m (15 ft) in any direction from overhead conductors operating at 600 volts or less, except for the conductors supplying the amusement ride or attraction. The minimum headroom of working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers shall be 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m). Radiographic and fluoroscopic-type equipment shall be effectively enclosed or shall have interlocks that deenergize the equipment automatically to prevent ready access to live current-carrying parts. Following the 110.26 NEC standards is fairly easy. The 480 volt load circuits are deenergized, but the 110 volt control circuits must remain energized for the following reasons: Unfortunately, it is often difficult for people to remember exactly how much distance from a panel things can be. ), whichever is greater. Dedicated space: The space equal to the width and depth of electrical equipment in addition to the space extending from the floor to 6 feet . This paragraph covers the installation of portable wiring and equipment, including wiring in or on all structures, for carnivals, circuses, exhibitions, fairs, traveling attractions, and similar events. Fire exit routes cannot be obstructed [29 CFR 1910.37 (a) (3)] and they cannot become more narrow at any point. Reply: An employer who has in his or her workplace contractors or equipment, including a motor control center which are in violation of any of the requirements under paragraphs 1910.303 through 1910.308 are subject to citation based solely on applicable electrical installation requirements. July 26, 2004 Identification of disconnecting means and circuits. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of persons using or likely to come in contact with the equipment. According to the OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.303 (g), companies are required to provide 3 feet of clearance around electrical services and breaker panels with between 120 and 250 volts. Table S-1 - Minimum Depth of Clear Working Space at Electric Equipment, 600 V or Less. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling. 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. Your scenario and questions, and our replies, follow. Suitability of equipment for an identified purpose may be evidenced by listing, labeling, or certification for that identified purpose. Disconnecting means for runway conductors. For equipment connected to a 120-volt branch circuit of 30 amperes or less, a grounding-type attachment plug cap and receptacle of proper rating may serve as a disconnecting means. Electrical panels are an essential component in any facility. The main disconnecting means for a center pivot irrigation machine shall be located at the point of connection of electrical power to the machine or shall be visible and not more than 15.2 m (50 ft) from the machine. Except as required or permitted elsewhere in this subpart, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by cabinets or other forms of enclosures, or by any of the following means: By location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure that is accessible only to qualified persons. The marking shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved. Having these standardized requirements is that they apply across national boarders can consult OSHA 's website https... Guidance in response to new information only about the area directly in front of the motor.. Shall first be so spliced or joined as to be addressed our guidance in response to new information are directly. 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