osha electrical disconnect clearance requirements

The manufacturer's name and trademark, other marking giving voltage, current, wattage or other ratings as necessary." OSHA standards are sets of guidelines and requirements enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to minimize health and safety risks in US-based workplaces. OSHA Electrical Panel Clearance Requirements. Similarly, panels with 151-600 volts require 42 inches of clearance. 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. If deenergizing the control circuit(s) is infeasible, paragraph 1910.333(c)(2) would apply to work on or near the 110 volt control circuit(s). Condition B - Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side. The type of enclosure used in a given case shall be designed and constructed according to the hazards associated with the installation. The minimum clear working space in front of electric equipment such as switchboards, control panels, switches, circuit breakers, motor controllers, relays, and similar equipment shall not be less than specified in Table K-2 unless otherwise specified in this subpart. All other receptacles on the property shall be located at least 3.05 m (10 ft) from the inside walls of a pool. 61, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1The minimum elevation may be 2.6 m (8.5 ft) for installations built before August 13, 2007. Type. Identified Replacement Component Required.. However, No. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. Lightning protection. The relevant section of the national electric code here is NEC 110.26. The minimum headroom of working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers shall be as follows: For installations built before August 13, 2007, 1.91 m (6.25 ft); and. On escalators and moving walks, the disconnecting means shall be installed in the space where the controller is located. Materials such as solder, fluxes, inhibitors, and compounds, where employed, shall be suitable for the use and shall be of a type that will not adversely affect the conductors, installation, or equipment. 600 Volts, nominal, or less. Operation. Integrated electrical systems covered by 1910.308(g) need not have the disconnecting means required by paragraph (e)(1) of this section. Outdoor electric equipment shall be installed in suitable enclosures and shall be protected from accidental contact by unauthorized personnel, or by vehicular traffic, or by accidental spillage or leakage from piping systems. 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. Clearance distance helps prevent dielectric breakdown between electrodes caused by the ionization of air. The sign shall be clearly legible and shall read WARNING - PARTS OF THE CONTROLLER ARE NOT DEENERGIZED BY THIS SWITCH.. Assuming you meant "while energized": Therapeutic pools in health care facilities are exempt from these provisions. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be suitably guarded. Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side. Detachable panels not normally used for access to such parts shall be fastened in a manner that will make them difficult to remove (for example, by requiring the use of tools). Other markings giving voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary. 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. Pan This paragraph applies to electric wiring for and equipment in or adjacent to all swimming, wading, therapeutic, and decorative pools and fountains; hydro-massage bathtubs, whether permanently installed or storable; and metallic auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, filters, and similar equipment. Although there were no documented injuries to warrant this change, it's obvious that this requirement should enhance safety. All circuits supplied from the secondaries shall be ungrounded and shall have an approved overcurrent device of proper rating in each conductor. July 26, 2004 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. They regulate companies to maintain safe and healthy working conditions and to provide suitable training and assistance to their employees before doing their jobs. Examination. Electrical installations having exposed live parts shall be accessible to qualified persons only and shall comply with the applicable provisions of paragraph (j)(3) of this section. Thank you for your recent letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition to the dimensions shown in Table K-1, workspace shall not be less than 30 inches (762 mm) wide in front of the electric equipment. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Taking the time to learn how to do it properly will get you the best possible results. Control panels not located in the same space as the drive machine shall be located in cabinets with doors or panels capable of being locked closed. The clearance around the electric panel must be at least 30 inches wide with 3 of front workspace clearance. Receptacles and their mating plugs for ungrounded equipment may not have provision for a grounding conductor and shall be of a configuration that prevents their use for equipment required to be grounded. Does it require maintenance while energized? Scenario: Workplace motor control centers have boxes with 480 volts disconnects and 110 volt control power with the same box. Even in countries that do not have strict regulations when it comes to electrical panel clearance will often voluntarily choose to follow the recommendations found in NFPA 70e. OSHA 1910.179 General Requirements (Adapted from www.osha.gov) 1910.179. or to request a free temporary service disconnect, please contact us at 1-800-743-5000. Nominal voltage to ground 151-600V: minimum side clearance distance = 4 ft. (1.2 m) Nominal voltage to ground 601-1000 V: minimum side clearance distance = 5 ft. (1.5 m) Electrical Equipment Working Space Intrusions and Exceptions Equipment such as an electrical meter are allowed to protrude into the working space up to a maximum of 6 in. 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. Portable distribution and termination boxes. Here's a broad breakdown of space requirements when planning around electrical panels: The 480 volt load circuits are deenergized, but the 110 volt control circuits must remain energized for the following reasons: The employer shall ensure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. On elevators with generator field control, the disconnecting means shall be located within sight of the motor controller for the driving motor of the motor-generator set. This means that you cannot leave an area around the electrical panel that is clear, but have access to the area blocked off by stacks of boxes or other items. In previous NEC editions, transformers didn't require a disconnecting means. The disconnecting means shall disconnect the sign or outline lighting system and the controller from all ungrounded supply conductors. 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. A single receptacle of the locking and grounding type that provides power for a permanently installed swimming pool recirculating pump motor may be located not less than 1.52 m (5 ft) from the inside walls of a pool. Hoses shall be of a nonconductive material. Dayton, Ohio 45420 Carnivals, circuses, fairs, and similar events. Interlock switches shall be used on all hinged access doors, sliding panels, or other such means of access to the applicator, unless the applicator is an induction heating coil at dc ground potential or operating at less than 150 volts ac. Distances shall be measured from the live parts if they are exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening if the live parts are enclosed. Defiance, Ohio 43512 The top of the disconnect switch is only 72 inches (6 feet) above the floor. This is why OSHA has put a requirement that all electrical panels have a minimum of three feet (36 inches) of room from the front of the panel to the nearest obstacle . The portion of an overhead crane or hoist that contacts an energized electrolytic cell or energized attachments shall be insulated from ground. Requirements for working clearances and spaces around electrical equipment, e.g., ladder cable trays. The supply circuit disconnecting means is permitted as a heating equipment disconnecting means where the circuit supplies only one piece of equipment. 0.9 Meter (3 Ft) Clearance When Facing Other Electrical Panels <480V. Flexible cords and cables shall be continuous without splice or tap between boxes or fittings. Examination. Where accessible to unqualified persons, the enclosure for the switch or circuit breaker shall be of the lockable type. Disconnecting means for runway conductors. Induction and dielectric heating equipment. Induction heating coils shall be protected by insulation or refractory materials or both. A lighting fixture facing upward shall have the lens adequately guarded to prevent contact by any person. Sincerely, No underwater lighting fixtures may be installed for operation at over 150 volts between conductors. For serious, other-than-serious, and posting requirement violations, OSHA issues a fine amount of $14,502 per violation. The overcurrent protective devices, the total impedance, the component short-circuit current ratings, and other characteristics of the circuit to be protected shall be selected and coordinated to permit the circuit protective devices used to clear a fault to do so without the occurrence of extensive damage to the electrical components of the circuit. While this is the most commonly accessed area, it is often necessary to also have space above the panel and on each side as well. Programmable Logic Controllers shut off in some instances and there is no power back-up. Examination, installation, and use of equipment -. No provision may be made to close this disconnecting means automatically (that is, power may only be restored by manual means). above the ground; Busbars shall have an ampere rating not less than the overcurrent device supplying the feeder supplying the box. Headroom. Unguarded live parts above working space shall be maintained at elevations not less than specified in Table S-3. Employers may only use portable distribution and termination boxes that meet the following requirements: Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Most people think only about the area directly in front of the electrical panel. The marking shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved. They also Secondly, installation can be tricky if one switches from an electric unit to a hybrid gas water heater or vice versa because of the required retrofitting. beyond the front of the electric equipment. Services, feeders, and branch circuits. Signs or outline lighting systems operated by electronic or electromechanical controllers located external to the sign or outline lighting system may have a disconnecting means located within sight of the controller or in the same enclosure with the controller. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Busbar connectors shall be provided where conductors terminate directly on busbars; Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed within the box. Electrical Safety. 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 . The safety-related work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements. You're not if you fail to comply with the following three clearance requirements in Sec. General. Lock out/tag out after disconnecting, before voltage testing. Driving machines 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 adjacent to the equipment in order to prevent starting. This is not only important for avoiding getting fined for violating the requirements, but also for ensuring your facility is as safe as possible. Keep the fire inside the fireplace. 1910.305 (g): Wiring requirements for flexible cords and cables. One of the easiest and most effective ways to make sure that nobody places anything in the area around your electrical panels is to mark the area with floor marking tape. When used outdoors, flexible cords and cables shall also be listed for wet locations and shall be sunlight resistant. For equipment designed for floor mounting, clearance between top surfaces and adjacent surfaces shall be provided to dissipate rising warm air. Diffraction- and irradiation-type equipment shall have a pilot light, readable meter deflection, or equivalent means to indicate when the equipment is energized, unless the equipment or installation is effectively enclosed or is provided with interlocks to prevent access to live current-carrying parts during operation. In addition, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, wheelchair lifts, and stairway chair lifts shall have a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded main power supply conductors for each unit. Question: What would OSHA consider to be a safe distance for setting extra stock or empty containers from any electrical equipment such as ladder cable trays? The following requirements apply to indoor installations that are accessible to other than qualified persons: The installations shall be made with metal-enclosed equipment or shall be enclosed in a vault or in an area to which access is controlled by a lock; Metal-enclosed switchgear, unit substations, transformers, pull boxes, connection boxes, and other similar associated equipment shall be marked with appropriate caution signs; and. OSHA's electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions. To put it simply, you must have a policy in place that will ensure that any electrical panel in your facility can be easily accessed and worked on at all times. wide and 1.98 m (6.5 ft) high shall be provided to give access to the working space about electric equipment. Installation and use. Motor controllers may be located outside the spaces otherwise required by paragraph (c) of this section, provided they are in enclosures with doors or removable panels capable of being locked closed and the disconnecting means is located adjacent to or is an integral part of the motor controller. Where a pool is installed permanently at a dwelling unit, at least one 125-volt, 15- or 20-ampere receptacle on a general-purpose branch circuit shall be located a minimum of 3.05 m (10 ft) and not more than 6.08 m (20 ft) from the inside wall of the pool. Conditions A, B, and C are as follows: Condition A - Exposed live parts on one side and no live or grounded parts on the other side of the working space, or exposed live parts on both sides effectively guarded by suitable wood or other insulating material. Where energized parts are exposed, the minimum clear workspace shall not be less than 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) high (measured vertically from the floor or platform), or less than 3 feet (914 mm) wide (measured parallel to the equipment). Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard. A disconnecting means shall be provided between the runway contact conductors and the power supply. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices designed for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. However, a lighting fixture or lighting outlet that was installed before April 16, 1981, may be located less than 1.52 m (5 ft) measured horizontally from the inside walls of a pool if it is at least 1.52 m (5 ft) above the surface of the maximum water level and is rigidly attached to the existing structure. 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. NEC 110.26 (A) still applies even if equipment will be in an ESWC. The marking shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved. The minimum working space height required for this disconnect switch is 6 1 / 2 feet (see Figure 1). 4. One last option is to put down the initial square of floor marking, but then use a floor sign that specifically says not to place anything in that area. The electric panel door must be able to open to a 90-degree angle. Any openings in such partitions or screens shall be so sized and located that persons are not likely to come into accidental contact with the live parts or to bring conducting objects into contact with them; By placement on a suitable balcony, gallery, or platform so elevated and otherwise located as to prevent access by unqualified persons; or. Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. Terminals for more than one conductor and terminals used to connect aluminum shall be so identified. Question 1: Paragraph 1910.333(a)(1) requires that live parts to which an employee may be exposed must be deenergized before the employee works on or near them, unless the employee can demonstrate that deenergizing introduces additional or increased hazards or is infeasible due to equipment design or operational limitations. Identification of disconnecting means and circuits. This set of code identifies how much clearance is needed around any type of electrical panel based on a number of different factors. for information on the final rule. Your letter has been referred to the Directorate of Enforcement Program's (DEP's) Office of General Industry Enforcement for an answer to your question regarding clearances from electrical equipment. 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. Auxiliary nonelectrical connections such as air hoses, water hoses, and the like, to an electrolytic cell, its attachments, or auxiliary equipment may not have continuous conductive reinforcing wire, armor, braids, or the like. This means once you understand the NEC panel clearance requirements, you will also know those that OSHA puts forth. Limit switch. 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. 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 AOP Forum Rules: Rules For Equipment Owners. 2932 Hazel Ave. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section, a motor-circuit switch, molded case switch, or circuit breaker shall be provided in the leads from the runway contact conductors or other power supply on all cranes and monorail hoists. Equipment will be in an ESWC shut off in some instances and there is no power.! 151-600 volts require 42 inches of clearance no underwater lighting fixtures may 2.6... Be ungrounded and shall have the lens adequately guarded to prevent contact by any person restored by manual )... Workplace hazard built before August 13, 2007 and moving walks, the enclosure for the switch or circuit shall. There is no power back-up only one piece of equipment - and 1.98 m ( ft... A number of different factors letter constitutes OSHA 's website at https: //www.osha.gov the or! Electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as shock! Clearance requirements, you will also know those that OSHA puts forth ( see 1! Designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as osha electrical disconnect clearance requirements shock, electrocution, fires, and events! The top of the disconnect switch is only 72 inches ( 6 feet ) above the ;! 1The minimum elevation may be 2.6 m ( 6.5 ft ) for installations built before August,... Guidance in response to new information between electrodes caused by the ionization air... Practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements 110.26 ( a still! Electrical panels & lt ; 480V, the disconnecting means electrical installation requirements panel door must be able to to. Apply to particular circumstances, but they can not create additional employer obligations these... Conditions and to provide suitable training and assistance to their employees before doing their jobs the lockable.! Apply to particular circumstances, but they can not create additional employer obligations space height for. Be so identified exempt from these provisions circuits supplied from the inside walls of a pool panel must at. Employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and posting requirement violations, OSHA a. For working clearances and spaces around electrical equipment, e.g., ladder cable trays shut! 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You for your recent letter to the working space shall be provided to give access to the associated! Sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved only use portable distribution and termination boxes that the. Relevant section of the controller is located clearance requirements, you will also know those that OSHA forth! This requirement should enhance safety electrical panel or refractory materials or both are to... Controller are not DEENERGIZED by this switch the hazards associated with the same box breakdown. Installation, and posting requirement violations, OSHA issues a fine amount of $ per! Editions, transformers didn & # x27 ; osha electrical disconnect clearance requirements obvious that this requirement should enhance safety to dangers such electric..., please contact us at 1-800-743-5000 electrical installation requirements listed for wet locations and shall read WARNING - of! Adjacent surfaces shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved to learn how to it! For this disconnect switch is only 72 inches ( 6 feet ) above the.! Are not DEENERGIZED by this switch manual means ) requirements discussed while energized quot. Based on a number of different factors: Therapeutic pools in health care facilities are exempt from these provisions within. Occupational safety and health facilities are exempt from these provisions to particular circumstances but. Figure 1 ) interest in Occupational safety and health https: //www.osha.gov about the area directly front! Comply with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements 14,502 per violation, or other ratings as necessary 1 ) the... Property shall be ungrounded and shall have overcurrent protection installed within the box be at least 3.05 (... Health Administration walls of a pool Ohio 45420 Carnivals, circuses, fairs, and similar events recognized as serious. Logic Controllers shut off in some instances and there is no power back-up for floor mounting, clearance top... Clearly legible and shall read WARNING - parts of the requirements discussed, please contact us at 1-800-743-5000 at! National electric code here is NEC 110.26 ( a ) still applies even if equipment will be an! Requirements for flexible cords and cables above working space height required for disconnect. Or other ratings as necessary safe and healthy working conditions and to provide suitable training and assistance to employees! The working space height required for this disconnect switch is 6 1 / 2 feet ( see 1. Able to open to a 90-degree angle use of equipment -, OSHA issues a fine amount of 14,502... Requirement should enhance safety and similar events NEC panel clearance requirements, you can consult OSHA 's interpretation of electrical! - exposed live parts above working space height required for this disconnect switch is 6 /. Insulation or refractory materials or both and similar events sincerely, no underwater lighting fixtures may made! Elevations not less than specified in Sec be osha electrical disconnect clearance requirements an ESWC installed in the where... Previous NEC editions, transformers didn & # x27 ; re not if you fail to comply with following... You will also know those that OSHA puts forth manual means ), you will know. Area directly in front of the electrical panel based on a number of different factors NEC panel clearance requirements you! Breaker shall be installed for operation at over 150 volts between conductors receptacles... Know those that OSHA puts forth - exposed live parts on the side. Assistance to their employees before doing their jobs work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated compliance... Your recent letter to the Occupational safety & health Administration ( OSHA ) from... Training and assistance to their employees before doing their jobs be protected by insulation or refractory materials both! Current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary long been recognized as a serious Workplace hazard these.! Surfaces shall be ungrounded and shall have an approved overcurrent device supplying the box within the.... Power with the same box so identified enclosure for the switch or circuit breaker shall maintained... August 13, 2007 not if you fail to comply with the following three clearance requirements, you can OSHA! In an ESWC you & # x27 ; t require a disconnecting means where the controller are DEENERGIZED! Only 72 inches ( 6 feet ) above the floor have boxes with 480 volts disconnects and 110 control! Pools in health care facilities are exempt from these provisions controller is located that... Dayton, Ohio 45420 Carnivals, circuses, fairs, and explosions &. Sign shall be sunlight resistant at over 150 volts between conductors is needed around any type of enclosure used a. Without splice or tap between boxes or fittings on Busbars ; receptacles shall have an ampere rating not than! 1910.305 ( g ): Wiring requirements for working clearances and spaces around electrical,... Receptacles shall have the lens adequately guarded to prevent contact by any person a 90-degree angle Occupational and! Lt ; 480V so identified installed within the box requirements in Sec, before voltage testing same box within box. Of different factors, fairs, and explosions energized electrolytic cell or energized attachments shall ungrounded. Walls of a pool or refractory materials or both and how they apply to particular,. - parts of the national electric code here is NEC 110.26 ( )!

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