Sec17_Marne_136262-6 1/24/02 1:20 PM Page 101

Section 17

Circuit Breakers,Reclosers,
Switches, and Fuses

170. ARRANGEMENT

This rule requires circuit breakers, reclosers, switches, and fuses be accessible
only to qualified persons. Section 17 is part of Part 1, “Electric Supply Sta-
tions”; therefore, the rules of this section apply only to circuit breakers,
reclosers, switches, and fuses located in the electric supply substation. Circuit
breakers, reclosers, switches, and fuses in the electric supply station are acces-
sible only to qualified persons when Rule 110A is met.
To protect persons from energized parts or arcing, this rule requires the fol-
lowing:
• Walls
• Barriers
• Latched doors
• Location
• Isolation
• Other means
The requirements of Rule 124, guarding of live parts, also applies.
Conspicuous and unique markings must be provided at the switching device
or at any remote operating points to identify the equipment (e.g., circuit
breaker, recloser, switch) that is being controlled.
When the switch contacts are not normally visible (e.g., under oil, contained in
a vacuum bottle, etc.), the switching device must be equipped with an operating

101
Sec17_Marne_136262-6 1/24/02 1:20 PM Page 102

102 ELECTRIC SUPPLY STATIONS Rule 171

position indicator. The work rules in Part 4 provide switching control proce-
dures and rules for de-energizing equipment or lines to protect employees. An
example of a switch position indicator is shown in Fig. 170-1.

171. APPLICATION

The following ratings must be considered when applying a circuit breaker, cir-
cuit switcher, recloser, switch, or fuse:
• Voltage
• Continuous current

See
Photo

Fig. 170-1. Example of a switch position indicator (Rule 170-1).

Sec17_Marne_136262-6 1/24/02 1:20 PM Page 103

Rule 172 CIRCUIT BREAKERS, RECLOSERS, SWITCHES, AND FUSES 103

• Momentary current
• Short-circuit current interrupt rating
If the device is used to interrupt fault current, the maximum short-circuit
current interrupt rating must be considered.
When to apply ratings for momentary currents and interrupt currents is
dependent on how the switch is used. If a switch is used as a disconnect only
(i.e., it does not open under a fault condition), then it must be able to withstand
a fault current flowing through it but it does not need to be rated to interrupt the
fault current. The fault current it must withstand is termed the momentary fault
current rating. If a switch is used to interrupt a fault, it must be rated to with-
stand the momentary fault current and interrupt the fault current without dam-
age to the switch itself. A device that interrupts fault current must have a fault
current interrupt rating.
The interrupting capacity should be reviewed prior to each significant sys-
tem change. For example, if a substation recloser is rated to interrupt 1250 A of
short-circuit current and the substation transformer is replaced, the available
fault current may increase to a value larger than 1250 A, which could cause
damage to the recloser and personnel when the recloser operates to interrupt a
fault. An example is given in Fig. 171-1.

172. CIRCUIT BREAKERS, RECLOSERS, AND

SWITCHES CONTAINING OIL

Circuit breakers, reclosers, and switches containing oil receive special atten-
tion due to the flammability of the oil. Similar requirements are outlined in
Rule 152 for oil-filled power transformers and regulators.

Fig. 171-1. Example of checking interrupting capacity prior to a significant system change (Rule 171).
Sec17_Marne_136262-6 1/24/02 1:20 PM Page 104

104 ELECTRIC SUPPLY STATIONS Rule 173

Segregation of oil-filled circuit-interrupting devices is required in the electric

supply station. Segregation of oil-filled equipment minimizes fire damage to
adjacent equipment or buildings. Segregation can be provided by the following
methods:
• Spacing
• Fire-resistant barrier walls
• Metal cubicles
Gas release vents are required, and means to control oil discharges from vents
or tank rupture are required. Methods to contain oil are outlined below:
• Absorption beds
• Pits
• Drains
• Combination of the above
This list is slightly different from the requirements for oil-filled transformers
and regulators in Rule 152 but the general intent is the same. IEEE Standard
979, IEEE Guide for Substation Fire Protection, is an excellent reference for fire
protection requirements.
Buildings or rooms housing circuit breakers, reclosers, and switches contain-
ing flammable oil must be of fire-resistant construction. Not all circuit breakers,
reclosers, and switches contain oil. Some are air break, some are vacuum break,
and some are SF6 gas insulated. This rule applies only to circuit breakers,
reclosers, and switches that contain oil and are located inside the substation
fence.

173. SWITCHES AND DISCONNECTING

DEVICES

Switches and disconnecting devices must have capacity for the following sys-
tem ratings:
• Voltage
• Current
• Load break current (if required)
Switches can be used to break load currents or open under no-load condi-
tions. If required to break load current, the load current they are rated to inter-
rupt must be marked on the switch. This value should not be confused with the
short-circuit (fault) current-interrupt rating discussed in Rule 171.
Switches and disconnectors must be able to be locked open and locked
closed, or plainly tagged where locks are not practical. Part 4 of the NESC spec-
ifies the work rules applicable to operating, locking, and tagging switches.
Switches that are operated remotely and automatically must have a discon-
necting means for the control circuit near the disconnecting apparatus to limit
the likelihood of accidental operation of the switch.
Rule 173C has been deleted by the Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA)
located at the end of the NESC.
Sec17_Marne_136262-6 1/24/02 1:20 PM Page 105

Rule 174 CIRCUIT BREAKERS, RECLOSERS, SWITCHES, AND FUSES 105

174. DISCONNECTION OF FUSES

Disconnecting an energized fuse can be dangerous at any voltage. This rule

requires fuses in circuits of more than 150 V to ground or more than 60 A (at
any voltage) to be classified as disconnecting, or arranged to be disconnected
from the source of power, or removed with insulating handles.
In most cases, fused cutout-type switches are configured such that the
switchblade or fuse is “dead” when the switch is in the open position. Loop
feeds can create energized blades when the switch is in the open position. The
NESC does not have a requirement for how the switch blades or fuses are ener-
gized but does require the proper handling of the fuse. Proper consideration
must be given to clearance requirements when fuse and switch blades are in the
open position.