California Code of Regulations › Title 8 - Industrial Relations › Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations › Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety › Subchapter 5 - Electrical Safety Orders › Group 2 - High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders › Article 20 - Interrupting and Isolating Devices › Section 2835 - Disconnecting (Isolating) Switches

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) General. Disconnecting switches shall be
						permitted to be single-pole or multiple-pole.
(b) Isolating Means. A suitable air break
						switching device shall be installed to isolate each oil switch or group of oil
						switches from all sources of supply unless automatic disconnecting switchgear
						equipment of the metal-clad draw-out type is used.
EXCEPTION: In highly corrosive or flammable
						  atmospheres, suitable isolating means other than air break shall be used, or
						  the isolating means shall be installed in an enclosure approved for use in such
						  locations of the particular hazard involved.
(c) Accessible to Qualified Persons Only.
						Disconnecting switches installed in locations where only qualified persons are
						permitted access shall be installed in suitable enclosures, or shall be
						elevated above the floor not less than clearances shown in Section
						2934.
(d) Accessible to Other Than Qualified
						Persons. Disconnecting switches installed in any location where other than
						qualified persons have access shall be installed in suitable enclosures.
The door or cover of the enclosure shall be kept
						  closed, except when opened for operation or inspection. If installed so that
						  the bottom of the enclosure is less than 8 feet above the floor, the door or
						  cover shall be kept locked.
When disconnecting switches are operable from outside
						  the enclosure by a remote control mechanism, the operating handle or lever
						  shall be kept locked when in either the open or closed
						  position.
(e) Operation.
						Isolating switches shall be provided with suitable means for safe normal
						operation. This operating means shall be permitted to be an insulated
						hookstick, an insulated external operating handle, or remote control mechanism.
						Disconnecting switches shall provide a visible gap in the circuit adequate for
						the operating voltage.
Provision shall be made to observe the position of the
						  blades of disconnecting switches. If viewing windows are provided, they shall
						  be shatterproof, of adequate size, and suitably located to permit viewing of
						  all contacts. Metal-enclosed switches other than those designed for hookstick
						  operation shall be arranged to be locked in the open position. Multiple
						  switches in the same enclosure shall be equipped with a connection
						  diagram.
(f) Rating.
						Disconnecting switches shall have current and voltage ratings not less than the
						full-load current and operating voltage of the circuit. The momentary rating of
						disconnecting switches shall equal or exceed the asymmetrical short circuit
						current available at the switch location. The asymmetrical short circuit
						current shall include contributions from all connected sources of energy, such
						as other lines, generators, large motors, etc.
(g) Identification. The disconnecting
						switches shall have a permanent and legible nameplate including the following
						information: continuous current rating, maximum voltage rating, momentary
						current rating.
(h) Warning Signs.
						Unless so interlocked that they cannot be opened under load, disconnecting
						switches shall be provided with permanent warning signs having letters at least
						2 inches high and reading as follows: "Warning--Disconnecting Switch--Do Not
						Open Under Load." When a group of disconnecting switches is installed in one
						room or enclosure, a single sign may be sufficient.
(i) Barriers. Suitable barriers shall be
						installed on both sides of each pole of disconnecting switches mounted indoors.
(Title 24, Part 3, Section
						  3-710 -
						  22.)
1.
						  Amendment of subsection (b) filed 2-9-78; effective thirtieth day thereafter
						  (Register 78, No. 6).
2. Editorial correction filed 11-2-83
						  (Register 83, No. 45).
3. Amendment of subsections (a) and (e) filed
						  12-10-87; operative 1-9-88 (Register 88, No. 1).
Note: Authority cited: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code. Reference: Section
							 142.3, Labor
							 Code; and Section
							 18943(c),
							 Health and Safety Code.