osha electrical disconnect clearance requirements

Others will place the square around the area and then use diagonal stripes of floor markings to fill out the area, which makes it even more clear that nothing should be put in that place. Exception. Lightning protection. The sign shall be clearly legible and shall read WARNING - PARTS OF THE CONTROLLER ARE NOT DEENERGIZED BY THIS SWITCH.. There shall also be a similar means to disconnect the power to all dedicated heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems serving the room and to cause all required fire/smoke dampers to close. Disconnecting means required by this subpart shall be capable of being locked in the open position. Motor controllers. 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. 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. Engineers, electricians, and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Once again, however, the NFPA 70e electrical panel clearance requirements will match those of the NEC and of OSHA. The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) is a continuously updated online version of the CFR. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Headroom. Installation and use. Metal-enclosed switchgear, unit substations, transformers, pull boxes, connection boxes, and other similar associated equipment shall be marked with appropriate caution signs. Closely following the new requirements in the 2002 NEC for motor disconnect locations will help make safety a reality. Ventilating or similar openings in metal-enclosed equipment shall be designed so that foreign objects inserted through these openings will be deflected from energized parts. For indoor installation, the dedicated space shall comply with the following: The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.83 m (6.0 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. Each disconnecting means required by this subpart for motors and appliances shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident. The clearance around the electric panel must be at least 30 inches wide with 3 of front workspace clearance. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov. Safety of equipment shall be determined using the following considerations: Suitability for installation and use in conformity with the provisions of this subpart; Note to paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section:Suitability of equipment for an identified purpose may be evidenced by listing or labeling for that identified purpose. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. 1The minimum elevation may be 2.6 m (8.5 ft) for installations built before August 13, 2007. 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. Examination. Where the disconnecting means is out of the line of sight from any section that may be energized, the disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the open position. It designs clearance requirements that make sure employees have enough space around workplace equipment and in work and walking spaces. Thank you for your recent letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. 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 . This paragraph applies to equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less. A worker has to be qualified, trained and can demonstrate skills, while exposed to electrical hazards. Location. Filter by. The employer shall ensure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. The relevant section of the national electric code here is NEC 110.26. Receptacles that are located within 4.57 m (15 ft), or 6.08 m (20 ft) if the installation was built after August 13, 2007, of the inside walls of the pool shall be protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. By elevation of 2.44 m (8.0 ft) or more above the floor or other working surface. A disconnecting means shall be provided between the runway contact conductors and the power supply. 3. Means shall be provided at the operating station to open the power circuit to all motors of the crane or monorail hoist where the disconnecting means is not readily accessible from the crane or monorail hoist operating station. 5. It shall be designed so no pole can be operated independently and shall be capable of being locked in the open position. The manually operated switch shall be installed adjacent to this equipment. Employers may only use portable distribution and termination boxes that meet the following requirements: Occupational Safety & Health Administration. 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. Where paralleled sets of current-carrying single-pole separable connectors are provided as input devices, they shall be prominently labeled with a warning indicating the presence of internal parallel connections. Rather than move the motor control center at a cost of two million dollars, can a "safe job procedure" which is audited periodically be considered an acceptable alternative or is a variance required? 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. 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. However, No. Arcing parts. In general, any electrical panel that has 0 to 150 volts going through it needs to have at least 36 of clearance around it. Type. Mechanical execution of work. Portable distribution and termination boxes. Electrical wiring for temporary lighting, where installed inside of tents and concessions, shall be securely installed, and, where subject to physical damage, shall be provided with mechanical protection. 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. Permanent ladders or stairways shall be provided to give safe access to the working space around electric equipment installed on platforms, balconies, mezzanine floors, or in attic or roof rooms or spaces. The safety-related work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Office of General Industry Enforcement at (202) 693-1850. Interrupting rating. 6. Fire exit routes cannot be obstructed [29 CFR 1910.37 (a) (3)] and they cannot become more narrow at any point. We hope you find this information helpful. Capable of accepting a lock. Disconnecting means for runway conductors. In order for the 480 volt circuit(s) to be considered deenergized, the lockout and tagging requirements of paragraph 1910.333(b)(2) must be met. Hot glue machines would be shutdown and the glue would set. The ampere rating of this disconnecting means may not be less than the nameplate current rating of the equipment. Table S-1 - Minimum Depth of Clear Working Space at Electric Equipment, 600 V or Less. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. Motors and appliances. Open disconnecting devices before tagging. Where controls are enclosed in cabinets, the doors shall either open at least 90 degrees or be removable. Services, feeders, and branch circuits. Enclosure, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. 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. Voltage testing should follow lock out/tag out. Soldered splices shall first be so spliced or joined as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then soldered. Not posting required clearances in electrical panel areas, generally falls under this type of violation. The points of control shall be so located that persons are not likely to come in contact with any live part or moving part of the equipment while turning on the lights. Durability of markings. Ladder clearance For installations other than equipment described in paragraph (h)(2)(v) of this section, a wall, screen, or fence shall be used to enclose an outdoor electrical installation to deter access by persons who are not qualified. Directorate of Enforcement Programs In locations where electric equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage, enclosures or guards shall be so arranged and of such strength as to prevent such damage. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. Does it require maintenance while energized? Taking the time to make sure that nothing is in these areas will help to avoid any type of penalties that may be issued if you are inspected by OSHA or other agencies. The safety-related work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements. They bring all the electrical lines into one centralized location so that the main power source can feed them. Please refer to paragraph 1910.305(j)(4) which, with exceptions, requires an individual disconnecting means for each motor and its associated controller. Mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other equipment, the adequacy of the protection thus provided. However, a disconnecting means is not required for an exit directional sign located within a building or for cord-connected signs with an attachment plug. Circuits supplying power to ungrounded receptacles for hand-held, cord- and plug-connected equipment shall meet the following requirements: The circuits shall be electrically isolated from any distribution system supplying areas other than the cell line working zone and shall be ungrounded; The circuits shall be supplied through isolating transformers with primaries operating at not more than 600 volts between conductors and protected with proper overcurrent protection; The secondary voltage of the isolating transformers may not exceed 300 volts between conductors; and. 600 Volts, nominal, or less. OSHA's standard for general electrical requirements (29 CFR 1910.303) includes a section for establishing and maintaining space around electrical panels and other systems that require servicing, adjustments, or maintenance while energized. Sincerely, Clear Height in front of Panel <480V. 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. Control panels. Connectors and cable connections may not be placed in audience traffic paths or within areas accessible to the public unless guarded. The Electrical Safety Authority ( ESA) was established in 1999 . This could be literally hundreds of machines. NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, Section 110.3 requires that all equipment be placed into an electrically safe work condition (ESWC) unless there is proper justification for the equipment to be energized. 0.9 Meter (3 Ft) The width of the workingspace in front of the Panel. The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign to identify the location of the supply-side overcurrent protective device. Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, may not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues. Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, specific use. Arc welders. This means if you have an inspection, you can count on the fact that the OSHA electrical panel clearance will be measured by the OSHA inspector to make sure that you are in compliance. Three rules from the general industry electrical standard are among Oregon OSHA's top 25 violations every year: 1910.303 (b): Examination, installation, and use of equipment. This is not only important for avoiding getting fined for violating the requirements, but also for ensuring your facility is as safe as possible. 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. Electrical equipment which depends upon the natural circulation of air and convection principles for cooling of exposed surfaces shall be installed so that room air flow over such surfaces is not prevented by walls or by adjacent installed equipment. However, switches or other equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less, and serving only equipment within the high-voltage vault, room, or enclosure may be installed in the high-voltage enclosure, room, or vault if accessible to qualified persons only. 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. It states: For one- and two-family dwelling units, all service conductors shall terminate in disconnecting means having a short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the available fault current, installed in a readily accessible outdoor location. Limit switch. Distances shall be measured from the live parts, if they are exposed, or from the enclosure front or opening, if they are enclosed. Each sign and outline lighting system, or feeder circuit or branch circuit supplying a sign or outline lighting system, shall be controlled by an externally operable switch or circuit breaker that will open all ungrounded conductors. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. NEC 110.26 (A) still applies even if equipment will be in an ESWC. Equipment intended to break current shall have an interrupting rating at system voltage sufficient for the current that must be interrupted. At least one entrance not less than 610 mm (24 in.) horizontally shall be provided. Condition B - Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side. 2. OSHA Electrical Panel Clearance Requirements. Conductors shall be racked to provide ready and safe access in underground and subsurface enclosures that persons enter for installation and maintenance. When normally enclosed live parts are exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space, if in a passageway or general open space, shall be guarded. Receptacles on circuits supplied by an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary: May not be used in any other location in the facility. Defiance, Ohio 43512 Of course, it is also important to try to determine who placed the item there so that they can be provided with the relevant training to ensure it does not happen again. Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Control equipment that by its very nature or because of other requirements in this subpart must be adjacent to or within sight of its operating machinery is permitted in the dedicated space. Examination. 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. 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. [This document was amended on October 24, 2012 to strike information that no longer reflects current OSHA policy.] Circuit impedance and other characteristics. Programmable Logic Controllers shut off in some instances and there is no power back-up. Cells used as a source of electric energy and for electroplating processes and cells used for production of hydrogen are not covered by this paragraph. These markings can include floor marking tape, floor signs, and labels. 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. What is the residential electrical panel clearance requirements? Minimum clearance of 3 inches overhead and 2 inches laterally shall be provided and maintained between crane and obstructions in conformity with Crane Manufacturers Association of America, Inc, Specification No. It is also easy to verify. Lighting outlets and points of control. Identified Replacement Component Required.. A means shall be provided to disconnect power to all electronic equipment in an information technology equipment room. The following equipment connected to the same source shall be bonded: Metal enclosures of electrical equipment; and. 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. In fact some employers go so far as to mark off a line on the floor or paint an area. For equipment designed for floor mounting, clearance between top surfaces and adjacent surfaces shall be provided to dissipate rising warm air. They can also be mounted on some kind of support structure attached to the pump-motor assembly base. These are generic codes which may not apply to all vehicles and we recommend you . General. This NEC working clearance will provide not only the person working on the equipment with room, but also their tools. If we can be of further assistance, please contact the Office of General Industry [at (202) 693-1850]. This set of code identifies how much clearance is needed around any type of electrical panel based on a number of different factors. 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. When it is necessary to perform work on energized equipment, OSHA 1910.333 (a) (2) requires safety-related work practices to be used and NFPA 70E Article 110.8 (B) (1) requires an Electrical Hazard Analysis before work is performed on live equipment operating at 50 volts and higher. 1. 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. Standard Number: 1910.179 OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. A ground-fault circuit interrupter shall be installed in the branch circuit supplying underwater fixtures operating at more than 15 volts. The ampere rating of this disconnecting means may not be less than the supply conductor ampacity. Clearance distance helps prevent dielectric breakdown between electrodes caused by the ionization of air. The width of Panel or 0.762 Meter which is Greater. beyond the front of the electric equipment. Clearance is required in the direction of access for operation, that is in the front. Control power is off on a large number of machines. The fact is, however, that it goes well beyond that. Unless isolated from equipment by height or physical enclosures or covers that will afford adequate mechanical protection from vehicular traffic or accidental contact by unauthorized personnel or that complies with paragraph (g)(1)(vii)(A)(2) of this section, piping, ducts, or equipment foreign to the electrical installation may not be located in this area; The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment shall be kept clear of foreign systems unless protection is provided to avoid damage from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems. John B. Your scenario and questions, and our replies, follow. 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. 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. Clearance is the shortest distance between two conductive parts Dry arcing distance (or arc distance) 1910.305 (b): Wiring requirements for cabinets, boxes, and fittings. See if you can "orient" the disconnect so as to have requisite clearance in front. 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. The initial electrical inspection for a . Where accessible to unqualified persons, the enclosure for the switch or circuit breaker shall be of the lockable type. Pan These markings shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved. No marks or blemishes on wheel faces. 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. On wheelchair lifts and stairway chair lifts, the disconnecting means shall be located within sight of the motor controller. Protection of electric equipment. Arcing parts. We appreciate your interest in occupational safety and health. According to the National Electric Code, any electrical panel with 0 to 150 volts should have 36 inches of clearance around it for both the person working on it and their tools. 8. If an irrigation machine has a stationary point, a grounding electrode system shall be connected to the machine at the stationary point for lightning protection.