Prevention through design: Reducing risks near service and main disconnects

Author

Mohla, Daleep ; Wellman, Craig M. ; Lippert, Kevin J.

Author_Institution

DCM Consulting, Missouri City, TX, USA

fYear

2014

fDate

4-7 Feb. 2014

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

5

Abstract

A common practice is to install a service disconnect or a main disconnect for a feeder system in the same enclosure compartment as the downstream overcurrent protective devices. This can result in potential safety risks of shock and arc flash. This paper addresses the advantages and disadvantages of isolating a service disconnect for electrical service for industrial and commercial installations from the perspective of prevention through design. The paper compares shock and arc flash hazard for both cases when the service disconnect or a main breaker is isolated and when it is in the same enclosure.

Keywords

arcs (electric); electric shocks; installation; overcurrent protection; arc flash; commercial installations; downstream overcurrent protective device; electric shock; electrical service; feeder system; industrial installations; main disconnect; safety risks; service disconnect; Arc discharges; Circuit breakers; Circuit faults; Conductors; Electric shock; Safety; Standards; Arc Flash; Service Disconnect; Shock;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Electrical Safety Workshop (ESW), 2014 IEEE IAS

Conference_Location

San Diego, CA

Print_ISBN

978-1-4799-2099-0

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ESW.2014.6766887

Filename

6766887