Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
(OP)
Does anyone know of a guard designed to prevent a circuit breaker switch from being accidentally operated?
Thanks.
Thanks.
When was the last time you drove down the highway without seeing a commercial truck hauling goods?
Download nowINTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS Come Join Us!Are you an
Engineering professional? Join Eng-Tips Forums!
*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail. Posting GuidelinesJobs |
Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
|
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
I've seen rods bent into a "U" shape and bolted onto the panel like minature handrails on both sides of the switch.
Another plant used a hinged, clear plastic box over the switch with the hinge at the top. The box could be easily lifted for switch access. The electrician said it was a cheap jewlery box from a discount store.
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
Alan
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
The best method is to restrict access and have the discipline to not lean on the switchgear. Allow ample working space to walk safely between the line up of switchgear. The guards may end up being an impediment to a ready access in case of an emergency. There must be a reason as to why such gizmos have not been invented in the long history of switchboard designs and use.
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
They are generally mounted just above and to the outside of the breaker switch, and sometimes other critical switches, like the generator mode control switch, is protected by the same rail.
Hope that helps.
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
----------------------------------
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
David Castor
www.cvoes.com
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
When sales people ask the switch design engineers, the engineers supposedly said that people who would accidently bump controls should not be allowed around switchgear or relay panels.
I believe the same opinion was expressed above.
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
I agree, but next to hydrogen, idiots are the most common element in the universe. Worse, on occasion non-idiots, people who should KNOW better, have momentary lapses and bump into things.
A good sheet metal fabrication shop can cut, punch and bend what you need. There are several good examples already alluded to in this thread.
Just make sure that the guard does not impede intentional operation of the switch.
old field guy
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
As to the comment above regarding wood rails on marine switchgear, the purpose of that is to provide a ready hand-hold as an ALTERNATIVE to the breaker handle if you happen to be walking by when the ship pitches.
"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
----------------------------------
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
Instructions were - "When the bell starts ringing, grab the switch and make the lights flash." That took care of the need to "DO SOMETHING!" and gave the operator a chance to survey the panels and find the real issue while his heartbeat dropped to normal.
I recall two trips from someone bumping a switch and one from a floor polisher bumping the differential relay panel. All were caused by trained personnel with 20+ years experience.
The panels had different shaped handles for different functions- large pistol for AC breakers, small pistol for anode breakers, oblong or diamond for tap changers, etc. Operators told me that helped prevent misoperation several times. Can't do that with an HMI screen.
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
"Can't do that with an HMI screen
You've officially joined me in the "Old F*rts Club".
old field guy
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
Alan
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
In the field, an end user got his sleeve caught in the auger that fed the garbage into the compactor ram area. It pulled him in, but someone managed to hit the E-stop and stop the auger. Unfortunately the control circuit was designed wrong and the ram engaged anyway and before he could free himself it tore his arm off. In the midst of that tragedy, a coworker tried to kill power with the main breaker, but the pistol grip handle was hanging on on a chain next to it because people kept using the handle as a hand-hold to hoist themselves up onto the work platform and it kept breaking. By the time he got the handle connected to the shaft, it was too late.
My point is, you never know when "emergency" will apply to even the simplest of devices.
"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
It is simple enough to flip up a cover and operate a handle if one knows that is all that is needed. Locked or removed handles are another story.
If we are talking about the NEC, I believe locked handles for overcurrent devices would not be allowed. I will be corrected if wrong.
Alan
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
The OP only said 'circuit breaker' and that could be anything from an MCB to a transmission system breaker, and the OP has gone to sleep while we speculate.
----------------------------------
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
Eventhough, I would never support a locked handle on any protective device. Cover yes.
Alan
RE: Circuit breaker pistol grip guard
As usual :)
How about this for perspective. I was a submarine guy in the navy, in the event of an emergency we would scram (Emergency shutdown) the reactor, and to do so we had to lift a hinged plastic cover and turn a switch. Sure it took another split second to lift the cover but I bet Naval Reactors researched it and decided inadvertant operation is worse than a short delay.