CQD: 10/24/2018

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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Question:

If a basic disconnect has cables terminated inside, but is not terminated at the main. Does this device need to be locked out if it is in the "off" position? This is temporary power in a "green" zone, and the client does not want to lock out the disconnect that feeds motors they are wanting to run intermittently. I told them that if a disconnect is terminated, regardless if it is live, must be locked out. It has to be treated as live correct? They are just using the disconnect basically as a switch rather than a means of on/off.

Rob Poston

Answer:

Hey Rob thanks for your question but it is difficult to understand exactly what you are asking. Guessing maybe you have conductors temporarily installed that are connected to the load side of a disconnecting means but are not terminated at their load end. The NEC does not really address work practices and if the disconnect is turned off and there are no exposed live parts it does not seem to be a violation. If someone were to turn the disconnect on and exposed live parts are present it would violate 110.27. It would make sense to lock the disconnect in the off position to prevent someone from inadvertently turning it on. If this does not address your question please send in additional information.

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