WAC 296-800-28045   Make sure electrical equipment has overcurrent protection.  You must:

     • Make sure all electrical circuits that are rated at 600 volts or less have overcurrent protection.

     • Protect conductors and equipment according to their ability to safely conduct electrical current.

     • Make sure overcurrent devices do not interrupt the continuity of grounded conductors unless all conductors are opened at the same time, except for motor running overload protection.

     – Protect employees from electrical arcing or suddenly moving electrical parts by locating fuses and circuit breakers in safe places. If this is not possible, install shields on fuses and circuit breakers.

     • Make sure the following fuses and thermo cutouts have disconnecting mechanisms:

     – All cartridge fuses accessible to nonqualified persons

     – All fuses on circuits over 150 volts to ground

     – All thermal cutouts on circuits over 150 volts to ground

     – The disconnecting mechanisms must be installed so you can disconnect the fuses or thermal cutouts without disrupting service to equipment and circuits unrelated to those protected by the overcurrent device.

     • Provide easy access to overcurrent devices for each employee or authorized building management personnel.

     • Protect the overcurrent devices by locating them away from easily ignitable material.

     – They must be placed to avoid exposure to physical damage.

     • Make sure circuit breakers:

     – Clearly indicate when they are open (off) and closed (on)

     – That operate vertically are installed so the handle is in the "up" position when the breaker is closed (on). See WAC 296-24-95603 (2)(c) for more information

     – Used as switches in 120-volt, fluorescent lighting circuit must be approved for that purpose and marked "SWD." See WAC 296-24-95603 (2)(c) for more information

     – That have arcing or suddenly moving parts, are shielded or located so employees will not get burned or injured by the operation of the circuit breaker.

     ♦ Make sure fuses that have arcing or suddenly moving parts, are shielded or located so employees will not get burned or injured by the operation of the fuses.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and[49.17].050 . 02-16-047, § 296-800-28045, filed 8/1/02, effective 10/1/02; 01-11-038, § 296-800-28045, filed 5/9/01, effective 9/1/01.]