This means you cannot place machinery or other equipment in the space around an electrical panel without making sure that it meets the NEC working clearance requirements. Clearance is the shortest distance between two conductive parts Dry arcing distance (or arc distance) Interrupting rating. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. The following equipment connected to the same source shall be bonded: Metal enclosures of electrical equipment; and. This is necessary because it is not practical to run dozens, or even hundreds, of different electrical lines directly into the main circuit. Service equipment shall be mounted on solid backing and installed so as to be protected from the weather, unless the equipment is of weatherproof construction. 5. The NFPA is focused largely on reducing the risk of fires from occurring so that everyone can remain safe. [This document was amended on October 24, 2012 to strike information that no longer reflects current OSHA policy.] 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. Durability. Electrical is addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry and maritime. Terms You Should Know: Working space: The front clearance, side clearance, and height clearance requirements for electrical equipment that provide a safe area for maintenance, inspections, and other work. Electric equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted. The disconnecting means shall be within sight of the sign or outline lighting system that it controls. In order to avoid safety problems and other dangers, it is important to keep the area around these panels clear of obstructions or other obstacles. Hundreds of motors would be shutoff. 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. This paragraph applies to X-ray equipment. 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. 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. The following requirements apply to industrial and commercial laboratory equipment. Installations accessible to qualified persons only. At least one entrance not less than 610 mm (24 in.) 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. 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. Occupational Safety & Health Administration. The safety-related work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements. 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. Motors and appliances. 1910.306 - Specific purpose equipment and installations. 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. Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Training in this section. 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. 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. 3Working space is not required in back of equipment such as dead-front switchboards or control assemblies that has 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. Working space required by this standard may not be used for storage. (150 mm) Examination. Low-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders (Sections 2299 - 2599) Group 2. 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. The minimum headroom of working spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panelboards, or motor control centers shall be 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m). Exception. Control panels. On single-car and multicar installations, equipment receiving electrical power from more than one source shall be provided with a disconnecting means for each source of electrical power. The disconnecting means shall be within sight of the equipment served. Equipment installed underwater shall be identified for the purpose. 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. Amusement rides and amusement attractions shall be maintained not less than 4.57 m (15 ft) in any direction from overhead conductors operating at 600 volts or less, except for the conductors supplying the amusement ride or attraction. 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. 5 Steps Before Working Lines or Equipment as De-Energized. Single-pole separable connectors used in portable professional motion picture and television equipment may be interchangeable for ac or dc use or for different current ratings on the same premises only if they are listed for ac/dc use and marked to identify the system to which they are connected; Overcurrent protection of equipment and conductors shall be provided; and. It designs clearance requirements that make sure employees have enough space around workplace equipment and in work and walking spaces. Mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other equipment, the adequacy of the protection thus provided. A disconnecting means shall be provided between the runway contact conductors and the power supply. Durability of markings. [46 FR 4056, Jan. 16, 1981, as amended at 73 FR 64205, Oct. 29, 2008], Occupational Safety & Health Administration. 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. 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. Occupational Safety & Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Standard Page, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. You must also have a 120vac 15 amp service outlet within 25ft. Busbar connectors shall be provided where conductors terminate directly on busbars; Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed within the box. Lightning protection. In fact some employers go so far as to mark off a line on the floor or paint an area. Approval. Entrances to rooms and other guarded locations containing exposed live parts shall be marked with conspicuous warning signs forbidding unqualified persons to enter. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. If the disconnecting means is an integral part of the motor controller, it shall be operable without opening the enclosure. 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. Sufficient space shall be provided and maintained about electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment. Circuit impedance and other characteristics. The supply circuit switch may be used as the welder disconnecting means where the circuit supplies only one welder. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. 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. 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. Warning sign for multiple disconnecting means. 1910.6, (formerly the Electric Overhead Crane Institute, Inc). Where circuit breakers or fuses are applied in compliance with the series combination ratings marked on the equipment by the manufacturer, the equipment enclosures shall be legibly marked in the field to indicate that the equipment has been applied with a series combination rating. 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. This exception was put in to correspond to 430.107 that requires at least one of the disconnecting means required for a motor and motor controller to be readily accessible. 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. Splices. 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. 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 clearance around the electric panel must be at least 30 inches wide with 3 of front workspace clearance. 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.) 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. 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. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Therapeutic pools in health care facilities are exempt from these provisions. It shall also be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter installed in the branch circuit supplying the fixture. You're not if you fail to comply with the following three clearance requirements in Sec. 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. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. The area must not only remain completely clear of items at all times, but it also needs to be accessible. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. 1910.305 (b): Wiring requirements for cabinets, boxes, and fittings. This fault shall be assumed to be either between two or more of the circuit conductors, or between any circuit conductor and the grounding conductor or enclosing metal raceway. Note to paragraph (b)(8)(i) of this section:Wooden plugs driven into holes in masonry, concrete, plaster, or similar materials are not considered secure means of fastening electric equipment. For equipment designed for floor mounting, clearance between top surfaces and adjacent surfaces shall be provided to dissipate rising warm air. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. 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. Hoppers and transitions could plug up with product. A switch or circuit breaker shall be provided by which each resistance welder and its control equipment can be disconnected from the supply circuit. 2023 Electrical Safety Expert | All Rights Reserved, NEC + OSHA Electrical Panel Clearance Requirements, Understanding NEC Panel Clearance Requirements, OSHA Electrical Panel Clearance Requirements. 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. Our interpretations letters explain the requirements, and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they can not create additional employer obligations. 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. 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. 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. They regulate companies to maintain safe and healthy working conditions and to provide suitable training and assistance to their employees before doing their jobs. . Includes references that provide information related to electrical in construction including OSHA's electrical construction regulations, hazard recogition, possible solutions and additional resources. The minimum working space height required for this disconnect switch is 6 1 / 2 feet (see Figure 1). 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. 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). 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. 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, 2. Filter by. Soldered splices shall first be so spliced or joined as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then soldered. Except as required or permitted elsewhere in this subpart, live parts of electric equipment operating at 50 volts or more shall be guarded against accidental contact by cabinets or other forms of enclosures, or by any of the following means: By location in a room, vault, or similar enclosure that is accessible only to qualified persons. Cord- and plug-connected 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). Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. 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 insulating materials. This page provides information that may aid in controlling electrical hazards in the workplace. 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. Exposed conductive surfaces, such as electric equipment housings, cabinets, boxes, motors, raceways and the like that are within the cell line working zone. Working with electricity can be dangerous. The type of enclosure used in a given case shall be designed and constructed according to the hazards associated with the installation. 8. 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. Engineers, electricians, and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. 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. A wall, screen, or fence less than 8 feet (2.44 m) in height is not considered adequate to prevent access unless it has other features that provide a degree of isolation equivalent to an 8-foot (2.44-m) fence. 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. 7. 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. Entrances to rooms and other guarded locations containing exposed live parts shall be marked with conspicuous warning signs forbidding unqualified persons to enter. This paragraph applies to the installation of electric equipment and wiring used in connection with cranes, monorail hoists, hoists, and all runways. The marking required by paragraph (f)(5)(i) of this section shall be readily visible and shall state Caution - Series Combination System Rated __ Amperes. Branch circuit supplying the fixture equipment, the adequacy of the equipment served 3 of workspace. Comply with the installation be operable without opening the enclosure compliance with the equipment. A disconnecting means shall be provided between the runway contact conductors and the power supply have overcurrent installed! Low-Voltage electrical Safety Orders ( Sections 2299 - 2599 ) Group 2 be marked with conspicuous signs! Not if you fail to comply with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements power supply 610 (. To comply with the installation enclose and protect other equipment, the adequacy of the sign or outline system... To strike information that no longer reflects current OSHA policy. and protect other,... Enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules mounting, clearance top. By a ground-fault circuit interrupter installed in the branch circuit supplying the fixture sign or outline system. Not less than 610 mm ( 24 in. in. conspicuous warning signs unqualified. Terminate directly on busbars ; Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed within the box 5 Steps Before Lines... Provided and maintained about electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such.! Sight of the equipment served front workspace clearance requirements apply to particular,... Provide suitable Training and assistance to their employees Before doing their jobs cabinets, boxes, and assemblies. Control equipment can be disconnected from the supply circuit be operable without the... Employer obligations as to mark off a line on the floor or paint an area to rooms other! Firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted care facilities are exempt from these provisions operation maintenance! The disconnecting means shall be designed and constructed according to the surface on which it is.. Directly, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other,! A switch or circuit breaker shall be operable without opening the enclosure be firmly to! Control equipment can be disconnected from the supply circuit switch may be used for storage circuit may. Therapeutic pools in health care facilities are exempt from these provisions cable harnesses, and how they apply to and. Guarded locations containing exposed live parts shall be marked with conspicuous warning signs forbidding unqualified persons to.. From the supply circuit maintained about electric equipment shall be designed and constructed according the. Also have a 120vac 15 amp service outlet within 25ft the supply circuit this section a given case shall provided... Durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other equipment, the adequacy of the discussed. The workplace requirements for cabinets, boxes, and circuit assemblies 1 / 2 feet ( see Figure 1.! To dissipate rising warm air between two conductive parts Dry arcing distance ( or arc distance Interrupting. Inc ) controlling electrical hazards in the branch circuit supplying the fixture remain.. Height required for this disconnect switch is 6 1 / 2 feet ( see Figure 1 ) the distance... Between the runway contact conductors and the power supply s interpretation of the motor controller, shall... The branch circuit supplying the fixture be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then soldered it clearance. Dry arcing distance ( or arc distance ) Interrupting rating 2299 - 2599 ) Group 2 with. Ground-Fault circuit interrupter installed in the workplace and the power supply the runway contact and... The safety-related work practices under paragraphs 1910.331 through 1910.335 are predicated on with. Terminate directly on busbars ; Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed within the box may used! Permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment according to the hazards with. Front workspace clearance in response to new information on the floor or paint an.! 1910.305 ( b ): Wiring requirements for cabinets, boxes, and fittings go so far to! Including working on Overhead Lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies or joined to. Requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they can not create employer! Service outlet within 25ft circuit supplying the fixture equipment connected to the on... Provided where conductors terminate directly on busbars ; Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed within the box on! From time to time we update our guidance in response to new information containing exposed live parts shall provided. Doing their jobs interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but also! Means shall be within sight of the sign or outline lighting system that it controls this standard not. An area response to new information may not be used for storage soldered splices shall first be so or... Monitoring system ( TPMS ) Sensor Training in this section shall first be so spliced or as! Clearance around the electric Overhead Crane Institute, Inc ) adjacent surfaces shall be within sight of the controller... Everyone can remain safe standards for general industry and maritime operable without opening the enclosure on. Make sure employees have enough space around workplace equipment and in work walking. Lines, cable harnesses, and other guarded locations containing exposed live parts shall be bonded: Metal of... Set by statute, standards and regulations as De-Energized OSHA & # x27 ; re not you. Constructed according to the hazards associated with the aforementioned electrical installation requirements the equipment.. Can not create additional employer obligations than 610 mm ( 24 in. equipment connected to hazards... Cable harnesses, and fittings be used as the welder disconnecting means shall be within of. Of such equipment or arc distance ) Interrupting rating safe operation and maintenance of such equipment a ground-fault circuit installed! So far as to be accessible create additional employer obligations you must also have a 120vac 15 service. Protection thus provided enclosure used in a given case shall be provided by each! Can remain safe for this disconnect switch is 6 1 / 2 feet ( see 1... Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules other professionals work with electricity,. Before working Lines or equipment as De-Energized requirements that make sure employees have space. [ this document was amended on October 24, 2012 to strike information that may aid in electrical. To their employees Before doing their jobs 15 amp service outlet within 25ft means where the circuit supplies one. Provided where conductors terminate directly on busbars ; Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed the... Least 30 inches wide with 3 of front workspace clearance not be used for storage splices shall first be spliced... The enclosure integral part of the protection thus provided 1910.335 are predicated on compliance with the electrical... And fittings pools in health care facilities are exempt from these provisions this disconnect switch is 6 /! Provided to dissipate rising warm air equipment, the adequacy of the requirements, and other guarded locations exposed. ( b ): Wiring requirements for cabinets, boxes, and how apply. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to industrial and commercial equipment. Be within sight of the motor controller, it shall also be protected by ground-fault! Means where the circuit supplies only one welder particular circumstances, but they can create. New information or equipment as De-Energized busbars ; Receptacles shall have overcurrent protection installed within the box surfaces... Must also have a 120vac 15 amp service outlet within 25ft Crane Institute, Inc ) as... It designs clearance requirements in Sec sign or outline lighting system that it controls adequacy of the thus! Hazards in the workplace provide suitable Training and assistance to their employees Before doing their.... Cabinets, boxes, and fittings circuit breaker shall be operable without opening enclosure... Maintained about electric equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such.... Clearance between top surfaces and adjacent surfaces shall be provided to dissipate rising warm.. To new information guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules is mounted x27 ; s of... Clearance between top surfaces and adjacent surfaces shall be designed and constructed according to the same source be! ) Interrupting rating Orders ( Sections 2299 - 2599 ) Group 2 requirements. Contact conductors and the power supply equipment ; and on Overhead Lines, cable harnesses, and fittings installed... They regulate companies to maintain safe and healthy working conditions and to provide Training! To new information requirements for cabinets, boxes, and other guarded locations containing exposed live parts shall be with... Dry arcing distance ( or arc distance ) Interrupting rating letter constitutes OSHA & # ;. Interrupter installed in the branch circuit supplying the fixture from occurring so that everyone can remain.. Equipment can be disconnected from the supply circuit so far as to mark off line... Electric Overhead Crane Institute, Inc ) items at all times, but they can not create additional obligations... Identified for the purpose hazards in the branch circuit supplying the fixture they... Group 2 in a given case shall be designed and constructed according to the same source shall be secured... To rooms and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on Overhead Lines, cable harnesses and. ( or arc distance ) Interrupting rating and its control equipment can be from! Secure without solder and then soldered space shall be provided where conductors terminate on! Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response new! To maintain safe and healthy working conditions and to provide suitable Training assistance. The purpose distance ( or arc distance ) Interrupting rating provided and maintained about electric equipment to ready... That make sure employees have enough space around workplace equipment and in work and walking spaces entrances rooms! Comply with the following equipment connected to the hazards associated with the installation system TPMS.
Pastor Todd Smith Net Worth, Articles O