Electric equipment that depends on the natural circulation of air and convection principles for cooling of exposed surfaces shall be installed so that room airflow over such surfaces is not prevented by walls or by adjacent installed equipment. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov. If sprinklers are installed in hoistways, machine rooms, or machinery spaces, the disconnecting means may automatically open the power supply to the affected elevators prior to the application of water. Wiring for an amusement ride, attraction, tent, or similar structure may not be supported by another ride or structure unless specifically identified for the purpose. It is not an official legal edition of the CFR. 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. 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. The depth shall be as required in Table K-2. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. They bring all the electrical lines into one centralized location so that the main power source can feed them. 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. By elevation of 2.44 m (8.0 ft) or more above the floor or other working surface. Single-car and multicar installations. In all cases, the working space shall permit at least a 90-degree opening of equipment doors or hinged panels; and. A variety of possible solutions may be implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury associated with electrical work. The disconnecting means shall open all ungrounded conductors simultaneously and shall be: Disconnecting means for cranes and monorail hoists. No marks or blemishes on wheel faces. Working clearances. Placed within view of the runway contact conductors. Permanent and conspicuous warning signs shall be provided, reading substantially as follows: Pipes or ducts that are foreign to the electrical installation and that require periodic maintenance or whose malfunction would endanger the operation of the electrical system may not be located in the vicinity of service equipment, metal-enclosed power switchgear, or industrial control assemblies. Hot glue machines would be shutdown and the glue would set. Once again, however, the NFPA 70e electrical panel clearance requirements will match those of the NEC and of OSHA. Sincerely, Ladder clearance Not posting required clearances in electrical panel areas, generally falls under this type of violation. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Dayton, Ohio 45420 Footnote(2) NOTE: For SI units: one foot=0.3048 m. Elevation of unguarded live parts. Our interpretations letters explain the requirements, and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they can not create additional employer obligations. 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. 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. OSHA's position that the main or emergency switches must be capable of being locked out. wide and 1.98 m (6.5 ft) high shall be provided to give access to the working space about electric equipment. Maximum Number of Disconnects (i.e. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling. Receptacles on circuits supplied by an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary: May not be used in any other location in the facility. Where one entrance to the working space is permitted under the conditions described in paragraph (h)(4)(i)(A) of this section, the entrance shall be located so that the edge of the entrance nearest the switchboards and control panels is at least the minimum clear distance given in Table S-2 away from such equipment. Electrical installations in a vault, room, or closet or in an area surrounded by a wall, screen, or fence, access to which is controlled by lock and key or other approved means, are considered to be accessible to qualified persons only. Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or equipment shall be located in damp or wet locations; where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that have a deteriorating effect on the conductors or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures. The safety-related work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements. 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? Flexible cords and cables shall be listed for extra-hard usage. 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 following equipment connected to the same source shall be bonded: Metal enclosures of electrical equipment; and. February 7, 1996 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. Warning labels or signs that read DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE - KEEP OUT shall be attached to the equipment and shall be plainly visible where persons might contact energized parts when doors are opened or closed or when panels are removed from compartments containing over 250 volts ac or dc. 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. 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. More importantly, however, it will also ensure that your electrical panels are readily accessible, which will make your facility safer. The entrances to all buildings, rooms or enclosures containing exposed live parts or exposed conductors operating at over 600 volts, nominal, shall be kept locked or shall be under the observation of a qualified person at all times. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. We hope you find this information helpful. This paragraph applies to the installation of electric equipment and wiring used in connection with cranes, monorail hoists, hoists, and all runways. Enclosure for electrical installations. Hoppers and transitions could plug up with product. The Electrical Safety Authority ( ESA) was established in 1999 . A shunt trip device that opens the fused disconnect or circuit breaker when a switch located in the ride operator's console is closed is a permissible method of opening the circuit. 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. Where rear access is required to work on the deenergized parts on the back of enclosed equipment, a minimum working space 762 mm (30 in.) Protection shall be provided where necessary to avoid damage from condensation leaks and breaks in such foreign systems. 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. Arc welders. 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). 3. Having a good understanding of the requirements that are in place when it comes to electrical panel clearance is important, but it is just the first step. 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. No provision may be made to close this disconnecting means automatically (that is, power may only be restored by manual means). Clearance is the shortest distance between two conductive parts Dry arcing distance (or arc distance) Outdoor electrical installations having exposed live parts shall be accessible to qualified persons only. The portion of an overhead crane or hoist that contacts an energized electrolytic cell or energized attachments shall be insulated from ground. Interconnection between multicar controllers. If more than one dc cell line process power supply serves the same cell line, a disconnecting means shall be provided on the cell line circuit side of each power supply to disconnect it from the cell line circuit. Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of persons using or likely to come in contact with the equipment. If equipment is exposed to physical damage from vehicular traffic, guards shall be provided to prevent such damage. At first glance many people would read the NEC electrical panel clearance requirements and assume that it simply means that you cannot put any additional equipment within the set amount of space. Metal frames and metal parts of rides, concessions, trailers, trucks, or other equipment that contain or support electrical 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. 1910.305 (b): Wiring requirements for cabinets, boxes, and fittings. In general, any electrical panel that has 0 to 150 volts going through it needs to have at least 36 of clearance around it. Removable links or removable conductors may be used as the disconnecting means. Condition B - Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side. Disconnecting Means. Equipment intended to interrupt current at other than fault levels shall have an interrupting rating at nominal circuit voltage sufficient for the current that must be interrupted. 1910.6, (formerly the Electric Overhead Crane Institute, Inc). Concrete, brick, and tile walls are considered as grounded surfaces. Workspace about equipment. 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. Hundreds of motors would be shutoff. 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. This area shall extend from the top of the electric equipment to the structural ceiling; Sprinkler protection is permitted for the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section; and. Because of different characteristics of dissimilar metals: Devices such as pressure terminal or pressure splicing connectors and soldering lugs shall be identified for the material of the conductor and shall be properly installed and used; Conductors of dissimilar metals may not be intermixed in a terminal or splicing connector where physical contact occurs between dissimilar conductors (such as copper and aluminum, copper and copper-clad aluminum, or aluminum and copper-clad aluminum) unless the device is identified for the purpose and conditions of use; and. Equipment intended to break current shall have an interrupting rating at system voltage sufficient for the current that must be interrupted. Miles, Jr., Director OSHA standard 1910.303 clearance requirements apply to many types of electrical equipment, not just breaker panels. Auxiliary nonelectrical connections. All other receptacles on the property shall be located at least 3.05 m (10 ft) from the inside walls of a pool. 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. Electrolytic cells, cell line conductors, cell line attachments, and the wiring of auxiliary equipment and devices within the cell line working zone need not comply with the provisions of 1910.303 or 1910.304(b) and (c). Electrical is addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry and maritime. (150 mm) Cables and mats shall be arranged so as not to present a tripping hazard. There should be at least three to three-and-a-half feet of clearance in front of all electrical disconnects and breaker panels. Examination, installation, and use of equipment -. When used outdoors, flexible cords and cables shall also be listed for wet locations and shall be sunlight resistant. A warning sign shall be mounted on or next to the disconnecting means where multiple disconnecting means are used and parts of the controllers remain energized from a source other than the one disconnected. Approval. For the NEC 2020, there's an added article titled 230.85 Emergency Disconnects. Such disconnecting means shall consist of a motor-circuit switch, circuit breaker, or molded case switch. Examination. The safety-related work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements. above the ground; Busbars shall have an ampere rating not less than the overcurrent device supplying the feeder supplying the box. 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. Suitability of equipment for an identified purpose may be evidenced by listing, labeling, or certification for that identified purpose. A good start is to make sure that you have a written policy that everyone in the facility is aware of that makes it clear that inventory and other items may not be placed around any electrical panel. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Metal-enclosed switchgear, unit substations, transformers, pull boxes, connection boxes, and other similar associated equipment shall be marked with appropriate caution signs. The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign to identify the location of the supply-side overcurrent protective device. 600 Volts, nominal, or less. horizontally shall be provided. 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. 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). 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. Clearance To ensure that an electrical panel can be accessed at all times - during inspection, maintenance or emergency - OSHA has determined that the working space in front of the equipment must be at least 30-inches wide (or the width of the equipment). Single conductor cable shall be size No. 2023 Electrical Safety Expert | All Rights Reserved, NEC + OSHA Electrical Panel Clearance Requirements, Understanding NEC Panel Clearance Requirements, OSHA Electrical Panel Clearance Requirements. OSHA Electrical Panel Clearance Requirements. The minimum headroom of working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers shall be 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m). The following requirements apply to industrial and commercial laboratory equipment. 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. Reply: 29 CFR 1910.303(g)(2)(ii) and 1910.303(h)(2)(ii) address the protection of electric equipment that may be exposed to physical damage. Entrance and access to workspace. 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. 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. 1The minimum elevation may be 2.6 m (8.5 ft) for installations built before August 13, 2007. Grounding should be the last of these steps. 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. A disconnecting means shall be provided in the supply circuit for each arc welder that is not equipped with a disconnect mounted as an integral part of the welder. Electrical panels are an essential component in any facility. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. The sign shall be clearly legible and shall read WARNING - PARTS OF THE CONTROLLER ARE NOT DEENERGIZED BY THIS SWITCH.. In existing buildings where electrical equipment is being replaced, minimum 3' working clearance shall be permitted for nominal voltage to ground less than 151V or 3'-6" for nominal voltage to ground greater than 150V between dead-front switchboards, switchgear, Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. 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. Cord- and plug-connected equipment. ), whichever is greater. 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. At least one entrance not less than 24 inches (610 mm) wide and 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) high shall be provided to give access to the working space about electric equipment. Application for variances are covered under 29 CFR Part 1905. Engineers, electricians, and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Except as required or permitted elsewhere in this subpart, the dimension of the working space in the direction of access to live parts operating at 600 volts or less and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while alive shall not be less than indicated in Table K-1. 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. Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side. Closely following the new requirements in the 2002 NEC for motor disconnect locations will help make safety a reality. Examples of solutions include the use of insulation, guarding, grounding, electrical protective devices, and safe work practices. 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