Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Examination. Condition B - Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side. We hope you find this information helpful. A limit switch or other device shall be provided to prevent the load block from passing the safe upper limit of travel of any hoisting mechanism. Power supply circuits and receptacles for portable electric equipment. The minimum working space height required for this disconnect switch is 6 1 / 2 feet (see Figure 1). Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. 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. It shall also be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter installed in the branch circuit supplying the fixture. A clearance of at least 3 feet is required for equipment using 120 to 250 volts. Closely following the new requirements in the 2002 NEC for motor disconnect locations will help make safety a reality. One last thing you can do to make sure that you are always in compliance with the relevant electrical panel clearance requirements is to perform your own internal inspections. The control for these disconnecting means shall be grouped and identified and shall be readily accessible at the principal exit doors. 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. Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, specific use. The employer shall ensure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. This page provides information that may aid in controlling electrical hazards in the workplace. 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. 7. 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. 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. 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. Requirements for working clearances and spaces around electrical equipment, e.g., ladder cable trays. 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 identified for the purpose. Q: Does OSHA standard 1910.303 include all electrical panels (i.e., electrical cabinets on machinery, electrical disconnects and breaker panels), or is it strictly related to breaker panels? Lock out/tag out after disconnecting, before voltage testing. 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. Dear Mr. Overby: 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. Outdoor electrical installations having exposed live parts shall be accessible to qualified persons only. Busbar connectors shall be provided where conductors terminate directly on busbars; Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed within the box. Illumination shall be provided for all working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, and motor control centers installed indoors. 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. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Clearance. Specific purpose equipment and installations. When employees are trained to work safely, through the requirements, they should be able to anticipate and avoid injury from job related hazards. 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. Fortunately, the OSHA electrical panel clearance requirements are taken directly from the NEC. While OSHA is only followed in the United States, NFPA is a non-governmental organization. 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. Defiance, Ohio 43512 There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment, such as parts that are broken, bent, cut, or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating. Examination, installation, and use of equipment -. Terminals for more than one conductor and terminals used to connect aluminum shall be so identified. [This document was amended on October 24, 2012 to strike information that no longer reflects current OSHA policy.] 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. This paragraph applies to the installation of the electrical components and accessory equipment of electrolytic cells, electrolytic cell lines, and process power supply for the production of aluminum, cadmium, chlorine, copper, fluorine, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium, sodium, sodium chlorate, and zinc. 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 area must not only remain completely clear of items at all times, but it also needs to be accessible. Your scenario and questions, and our replies, follow. 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. Maximum Number of Disconnects (i.e. 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. The supply circuit disconnecting means is permitted as a heating equipment disconnecting means where the circuit supplies only one piece of equipment. Deteriorating agents. However, other equipment associated with the electrical installation and located above or below the electric equipment may extend not more than 153 mm (6 in.) No provision may be made to close this disconnecting means automatically (that is, power may only be restored by manual means). Does it require maintenance while energized? 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. Resistance welders. Walls constructed of concrete, brick, or tile are considered to be grounded. 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. Mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other equipment, the adequacy of the protection thus provided; Heating effects under all conditions of use; Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, and specific use; and. The use of single-pole separable connectors shall comply with at least one of the following conditions: Connection and disconnection of connectors are only possible where the supply connectors are interlocked to the source and it is not possible to connect or disconnect connectors when the supply is energized; or. The dielectric breakdown level is further influenced by relative humidity, temperature, and degree of pollution in the environment. Sincerely, Panels with 151 to 600 volts should have 42 of clearance around it. Arcing parts. Here's a broad breakdown of space requirements when planning around electrical panels: The manufacturer's name and trademark, other marking giving voltage, current, wattage or other ratings as necessary." 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. Where controls are enclosed in cabinets, the doors shall either open at least 90 degrees or be removable. 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. 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. Eight (8) to ten (10) hours of start-up time could be required to re-load processing bins, fluidizing lines and processing transitions. Electric equipment provided with ventilating openings shall be installed so that walls or other obstructions do not prevent the free circulation of air through the equipment. 1. The disconnecting means shall open all ungrounded conductors simultaneously and shall be: Disconnecting means for cranes and monorail hoists. 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. Where bare energized parts at any voltage or insulated energized parts above 600 volts, nominal, to ground are located adjacent to such entrance, they shall be suitably guarded. Swimming pools, fountains, and similar installations. Others, such as office workers and sales people, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards. 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. 1910.6, (formerly the Electric Overhead Crane Institute, Inc). Location. 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. Electrical Safety. 4. Equipment intended to break current shall have an interrupting rating at system voltage sufficient for the current that must be interrupted. 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. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. 1910.305 (g): Wiring requirements for flexible cords and cables. 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. The minimum elevation may be 2.4 m (8.0 ft) for installations built before April 16, 1981, if the nominal voltage between phases is in the range of 601-6600 volts. The specific electrical panel clearance requirements will depend on what area you are looking at, and how much voltage there is going through the panel. Thank you for your recent letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We appreciate your interest in occupational safety and health. 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. The disconnecting means shall be operable from a location readily accessible from the X-ray control. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Application for variances are covered under 29 CFR Part 1905. Other markings giving voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary. 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. 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. The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) is a continuously updated online version of the CFR. 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. Insulation integrity. OSHA's position that the main or emergency switches must be capable of being locked out. Induction and dielectric heating equipment shall be protected as follows: Protective cages or adequate shielding shall be used to guard work applicators other than induction heating coils. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for people to remember exactly how much distance from a panel things can be. Therapeutic pools in health care facilities are exempt from these provisions. A means shall be provided to disconnect power to all electronic equipment in an information technology equipment room. Placed within view of the runway contact conductors. 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. Disconnecting Means. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Except as elsewhere required or permitted by this standard, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by use of approved cabinets or other forms of approved enclosures or by any of the following means: Except as elsewhere required or permitted in this subpart, the minimum clear working space in the direction of access to live parts of electric equipment may not be less than specified in Table S-2. 1Minimum depth of clear working space in front of electric equipment with a nominal voltage to ground above 25,000 volts may be the same as that for 25,000 volts under Conditions A, B, and C for installations built before April 16, 1981. It is also easy to verify. If there is anything that would prevent this or make it more dangerous, the chances are that you are in violation of the regulations and could get cited for it during an inspection. OSHA standard 1910.303 clearance requirements apply to many types of electrical equipment, not just breaker panels. Working space is not required in back of assemblies such as dead-front switchboards or motor control centers where there are no renewable or adjustable parts (such as fuses or switches) on the back and where all connections are accessible from locations other than the back. The overcurrent protection may not exceed the ampere rating of the receptacle, except as permitted in 1910.305(j)(4) for motor loads; Where single-pole connectors are used, they shall comply with the following: Where ac single-pole portable cable connectors are used, they shall be listed and of the locking type. Suitability of equipment for an identified purpose may be evidenced by listing, labeling, or certification for that identified purpose. Flexible cords and cables run on the ground, where accessible to the public, shall be covered with approved nonconductive mats. It is not an official legal edition of the CFR. The clearance around the electric panel must be at least 30 inches wide with 3 of front workspace clearance. Installations covered by paragraph (h) of this section shall comply with all applicable provisions of this subpart, except as follows: Disconnecting means. [46 FR 4056, Jan. 16, 1981, as amended at 73 FR 64205, Oct. 29, 2008], Occupational Safety & Health Administration. 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. X-Ray equipment. Mounting. OSHA's electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions. 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. (150 mm) Durability. One of the most common questions people have when setting standards in a facility for electrical panel clearance requirements is what OSHA says. 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. Additional lighting fixtures are not required where the working space is illuminated by an adjacent light source. Exposed live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other side. Cord- and plug-connected lighting fixtures installed within 4.88 m (16 ft) of the water surface of permanently installed pools; and. Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard. Working space about electric equipment. For equipment designed for floor mounting, clearance between top surfaces and adjacent surfaces shall be provided to dissipate rising warm air. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the official legal print publication containing the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. 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. By elevation of 2.44 m (8.0 ft) or more above the floor or other working surface. John B. OSHA Electrical Panel Clearance Requirements. Requesting clearance should be the first step. 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. This set of code identifies how much clearance is needed around any type of electrical panel based on a number of different factors. What Constitutes Clearance Around Electrical Panels? To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov. The conductive surfaces of cranes and hoists that enter the cell line working zone need not be grounded. All temporary lamps for general illumination shall be protected from accidental breakage by a suitable fixture or lampholder with a guard. Warning sign for multiple disconnecting means. Clearance distance helps prevent dielectric breakdown between electrodes caused by the ionization of air. 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. 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. Reply: Deenergizing the 110 volt control circuit in the above scenario appears to be infeasible as discussed in Note 2 following paragraph 1910.333(a)(1). horizontally shall be provided. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. The safety-related work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements. 5 Steps Before Working Lines or Equipment as De-Energized. This NEC working clearance will provide not only the person working on the equipment with room, but also their tools. Wooden plugs driven into holes in masonry, concrete, plaster, or similar materials shall not be used. beyond the front of the electric equipment. 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).

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