SECTION 3.0-Storage, Safety,
Maintenance
I t is recommended that the breaker be put into service
immediately in its permanent location. If this is not possi
ble, the following precautions must be taken to insure the
proper storage of the breaker:
1 .
The breaker should be carefully protected against
condensation, preferably by storing it in a warm dry room,
since water absorption has an adverse effect on the insula
tion parts. Circuit breakers for outdoor switchgear should
be stored in the equipment only when power is available
and the compartment heaters are in operation to prevent
condensation.
2 . The breaker should be stored in a clean location free
from corrosive gases or fumes. Particular care should be
taken to protect the equipment from moisture and cement
dust, as this combination has a very corrosive effect on
many parts.
1 0
CAUTION :
IF THE BREAKER IS STORED FOR
ANY LENG TH OF TIME, IT SHOULD BE INSPECTED
PERIODICALLY TO SEE THA T RUSTING HAS NOT
S TAR TED AND TO ASSURE GOOD MECHANICAL
CONDITION. SHOULD THE BREAKER BE STORED
UNDER UNFA VORABLE A TMOSPHERIC CONDI
TIONS, IT SHOULD BE CLEANED AND DRIED OUT
BEFORE BEING PLACED IN SERVICE.
3 . 1 Safety
Each user must maintain a safety program for the protec
tion of personnel, as wel l as other equipment, from the
potential hazards associated with electrical equipment.
The following requirements are intended to augment the
user's safety program, but
NOT
supplant the user's
responsibility for devising a c::>m plete safety program.
The following basic industry practiced safety require
ments are applicable to all major electrical equipment
such as switchgear or switchboards. General Electric
neither condones nor assumes any responsibility for prac
tices which deviate from the following:
1 . ALL CONDUCTORS M UST BE ASSUMED
TO
BE ENER
GIZED UNLESS THEIR POTENTIAL HAS BEEN M EASURED
AS GROUND AND SUITABLE GROUNDING CONDUC
TORS HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO PREVENT ENERGIZING.
Many accidents have been caused by back feeds from a
wide variety of sources.
2. Although interlocks to reduce some of the risks are
provided, the individual's actions while performing service or
maintenance are essential to prevent accidents. Each
person's knowledge; his mental awareness; and has planned
and executed actions often determine if an accident will
occur. The most important method of avoiding accidents is
for all associated personnel to carefully apply a thorough
understanding of the specific equipment from the viewpoints
of it's purpose, it's construction, it's operation and the
situations which could be hazardous.
All personnel associated with installation, operation and
maintenance of electrical equipment, such as power circuit
breakers and other power handling equipment, must be
thoroughly instructed, with periodic retraining, regarding
power equipment in general as well as the particular model
of equipment with which they are working. Instruction
books, actual devices and appropriate safety and mainte
nance practices such as
OSHA
publications, National Electric
Safety Code (ANSI C2), The National Electrical Code, and
NFPA 7 OB Electrical Equipment Maintenance must be
closely studied and followed. During actual work, supervi
sion should audit practices to assure conformance.
3. Excellent maintenance is essential for reliability and safety
of any electrical equipment. Industry publications of recom
menced maintenance practices such as ANSI/NFPA 70B,
Electrical Equipment Maintenance, should be carefully stud
ied and applied in each user's formation of planned
maintenance.
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