What’s Wrong Here? Hint: I Spy a Service Disconnect
Hint: I spy a service disconnect
It may take some close examination, but if you really, really try, you may be able to find the hidden service disconnect in this Photo. Here’s another hint. The handle for the disconnect is under the blue baseball cap! In fact, that baseball cap is hanging on the handle! The property maintenance manager has certainly made himself at home in this space.
Perhaps he’s made himself a little too comfortable. His desk and belongings are completely blocking the service disconnect. The service disconnect must be located so as to be readily accessible per Sec. 230.70(A)(1). The definition of “readily accessible” in Art. 100 means equipment is “capable of being reached quickly” without needing to climb over, under, or remove obstacles, or resort to portable ladders, and so forth. The desk and all the other items here are clearly obstacles blocking access to this disconnecting means. In the event of an emergency, finding this disconnect could be as time-consuming as finding an object in an “I spy” game.
About the Author
Russ LeBlancRuss LeBlanc
Owner
Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.
Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.
