Operating Low-Voltage

Switchgear

 Switchgearis the combination of

electrical disconnect
switches,fusesorcircuit
breakersused to control, protect and
isolate electrical equipment.

Recommended safety equipment to be worn:

Closed door (arc-resistant gear only)
Hard hatANSI type A, B, G, or E (as required by
voltage level)
Safety glasses with side shields
Flame-resistant work clothing (select using arcflash calculations)
Open door or non-arc resistant gear
Hard hatANSI type A, B, E, or G
Safety glasses with side shields
Rubber gloves with leather protectors (class
according to voltage level)
Flame-resistant work clothing (select using arcflash calculations)

 The primary operator is the worker

who actually manipulates the handle
which opens and/or closes the circuit
breaker.
The backup operator is responsibility
is to back up the primary operator in
the event there is a problem.

Closed-Door Operation
Operate the switchgear with a closed door
1. If the breaker requires manual spring
charging, the primary operator may face
the breaker to obtain the necessary
leverage on the cranking handle.
2. After the springs are charged, the
primary operator stands to the side of the
cubicle containing the breaker to be
operated.

3. The primary operator faces away

from the gear.
4. The backup operator stands even
farther from the cubicle, facing the
primary operator.
5. The primary operator reaches
across to the operating buttons or
handle and operates them to open or
close the breaker.

6. If the breaker can be racked with

the door closed, and if the breaker is to
be racked in or out, the primary
operator inserts the racking handle
and turns it.
7. If lockout-tagout procedures are
required, the primary operator places
the necessary tags and/or locks.

 Operate the switchgear with a open door

1. The breaker is opened as described
earlier under closed-door operation.
2. The primary operator opens the
cubicle door and racks the breaker to the
desired position.
3. If lockout-tagout procedures are
required, the primary operator places the
necessary tags and/or locks.

Operating Molded-Case Breakers

and Panelboards

 It recommended safety equipment to

be worn when operating molded-case
circuit breakers
Hard hatANSI type A, B, E, or G
Safety glasses with side shields
Flame-resistant work clothing
(select using arc-flash calculations)
Hand protectionleather or
flame-resistant gloves (do not need to
be insulating)

Operation Enclosed Switches and

Disconnects
1. The operator stands to the side of the
breaker and/or panel, facing the panel. The
operator may stand to either side, depending
on the physical layout of the area.
2. The operator grasps the handle with the
hand closest to the breaker.
3. The operator turns his or her head away
from the breaker and then firmly moves the
operating handle to the desired position.

Operating Open-Air
Disconnects

 Safety in basic operating in Open-Air

Disconnects.
Hard hatANSI type A, B, E, or G
Safety glasses with side shields
Flame-resistant work clothing
(select using arc-flash calculations)
Hand protectionleather or
flame-resistant gloves (do not need to
be insulating)

 The basic operating procedure

1. The operator stands on the metal platform
(if available).
2. He or she grasps the operating handle
firmly with both hands and moves it rapidly and
firmly in the open or close direction as required.
3. If locks or tags are required, they are
placed on the mechanism using the types of
equipment described in Chap. 2.

 Safety in general operating in Open-Air

Disconnects.
Hard hatANSI type A, B, E, or G (as
required by voltage level)
Safety glasses with side shields
Flame-resistant work clothing (select using
arc-flash calculations)
Rubber gloves with leather protectors (class
according to voltage level)
Hot stick of proper length with proper fittings

 The general operating procedure

1. Stand in front of the switch.
2. Carefully insert the hot stick probe into the
switch ring.
3. Look away from the switch and pull it open with a
swift, firm motion.
4. Since one side of the switch may be hot, locks
and tags are not always applied directly to the switch.
If the switch is in an indoor, metal-clad enclosure, the
lock and tag may be applied to the door of the gear.