The purpose of this advisory note is to inform industry of some common non compliances found when Fair Trading inspectors conduct inspections of electrical metering installations. What is the non-compliance?Clause 2.3.3.2 of AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules states that the supply to every electrical installation shall be controlled on the main switchboard by a main switch or switches that control the whole of the electrical installation. If not correctly arranged the service protection device (SPD) can be considered the main switch as it controls the whole of the electrical installation. The Service and Installation Rules requires that the SPD is installed on the line side of any metering.
The Wiring Rules states that safety services shall be controlled by a main switch that is separate from the main switch used to control any part of the general installation and connected to the supply side of all general electrical installation main switches. Hence the requirement to ensure an arrangement that the SPD cannot be mistaken as the main switch and operated in an emergency. How to complyAS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules In accordance with the note under Clause 7.2.3.4 and exception 2 of clause 7.2.4.2, it is required that the SPD is clearly labelled for operation by authorized personnel only and locked in the “on” position. Clause 7.2.4.4 Identification requires all switches operating in the supply circuit to safety services shall be clearly identified to indicate the safety service they control: (b) marked ‘IN THE EVENT OFF A FIRE, DO NOT TURN OFF’ (in upper case); and (c) identified by contrast in colouring or other suitable means, in accordance with Clause 2.3.3.4 What we are findingThe requirement to have the SPD locked in the “on” position and suitably labelled for authorised personnel only on the main switchboards which have safety services is not complied with. Other required labelling is also missing. In this example, the SPD is energised and identified that it controls safety services by the label ‘IN THE EVENT OFF FIRE DO NOT TURN OFF’ in contrasting colour. Safety services are connected to the load side of the service protective device with the general electrical installation and shall satisfy Exception 2 to Clause 7.2.4.2. The SPD is marked for ‘ACCESSED BY AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY’ but is not locked in the on position. Safety services can be connected to the supply side of the SPD, but as defined the SPD is installed to interrupt the supply to an electrical installation from the service/consumer mains. The SPD is now locked in the on position and is now compliant. The lock is not required to be a distributor’s lock and the key should be made readily accessible to enable the operation of the SPD if work or maintenance on the main switchboard is required or any other times the SPD would need to be operated. Storing the key with building management or in a suitable location within the main switchroom are some suggestions where the key can be readily available. This arrangement would apply to any downstream devices on the main switchboard that has safety services connected on the load side of the device with the general electrical installation. If safety services are located on a separate switchboard in an outbuilding or fire separated portions of a building, the circuit protection devices on the main switchboard only need to be labelled. Locking is not required, and the circuit protective device would be under the control of the main switch. Reference: AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules
Specific Inspection Topics Electrical Inspections
Other than possibly not being “workmanlike,” is there anything in the NEC that prohibits a panel from being installed upside down? Upside circuit breakers read “NO” instead of “ON” and “FFO” instead of “OFF,” which I don’t consider workmanlike, of course.
I remember a post about a panel being installed sideways and the sparkies said it was OK. Were Dr. Quervo and Mrs. Margarita assisting you with this inspection???
**240.81 Indicating.
Ms Margarita and Dr Cuervo thank you, Jeff. By the way, what’s the status on the Woodland Hills inspection? Anything?
I don’t think they’ve fully committed to that property at this point, and may start shopping again.
There is no such thing as an upside down panel, unless this is an older panel with an “up/down” main breaker. Most modern panels have a side to side motion main breaker so it can be installed either way. Even some no-so-new panels have side/side mains but all the writing and labels are readable with the main up. Putting the main down in this case is still acceptable. Nothing unworkmanlike about it.
Well, apparently we do have upside down panels here in California, or at least in San Diego. A California-licensed electrician agreed with me that this panel was upside down, and he put that agreement in writing on his company letterhead, and signed and dated it. He also provided an estimate of $145 to correct the problem by rotating the panel 180°, an estimate which the sellers took him up on and which my Clients asked me to come re-inspect (as well as other fixed electrical problems, to the tune of $229 for my re-inspection fee). Looks like I’ll have to post the picture later; the message board ain’t cooperating.
I guess it was one of those up/down breakers I had mentioned.
All the breakers, as well as the panel itself, were upside down.
Yeah, the message board is working again. Here’s the picture.
Yes, that most definitely qualifies as an upside down panel.
This panel was upside down as indicated by to sticker on the lower left. The breakers were installed with the correct orientation.
Good. I really like to have Peter Parker on my side once in a while.
[size=3]Smothers, What makes that panel upside down IS the sticker. If the mfg states a specific orientation then we must follow it, even though that panel cannot be considered upside down according to the breakers. The NEC only cares about the “up/down=on/off” issue. Only: …applies here. *So guess I have to recant my statement above about no upside down panels.
Yep, well done Peter.
Guys…most panels today can be either direction…the fact is you are still going to put the breakers in at the CORRECT direction anyway…so it makes no real difference. We install many upside down if you would like to call it that…does not matter. Now as Speedy stated…if it is an old panel with clear UP labeling and it should be installed as the manufacturer intended…but not the case really on the newer models. AS for sideways or Horizontal panels…it is fine IF it is a single throw disconnect and such where the ON/OFF is left to right like a typical breaker…but as you see alot with Zinsco’s…where it is sideways and the ON is actually not visible because of the orientation of the breaker…then that is a violation of Sec 240.81 The NEC actually states in Sec 240.33 that "Enclosures containing OCPD’s devices SHALL BE mounted in a “Verticle” position unless this is impractable. Circuit Breaker enclosures CAN BE installed horizontally, IF the circuit breaker is installed in accordance with 240.81. With that said…Sec 240.81 states " Circuit Breakers shall clearly indicate whether they are in the open " OFF" position or closed 'ON" position. When the handle of a circuit breaker is operated vertically, the “UP” position of the handle shall be the " ON" position.
If I recall NEC [240-33] had to do with the “horizontal” issue where the breaker switch in the down position gave a false indication to being “off” when it is actually still in the “on”
Yes it does…BUT I gave BOTH to clarrify the difference
See above |
Circuit breakers shall clearly indicate whether they are in the __________ position.
Pos Terkait
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