Crane 480 Three-Phase Bus Bar Clearance

If you are in the US check with OSHA. I hate to make that suggestion.

yyeeaeaahh... we've prettymuch assumed that is a route we need to go, but as we all know, checking wth OSHA usually results in chasing your tail through 5 or 6 otherorganizations, just to find out that there is no real regulation on it.

Anyway, still looking for any input from folks if it's viable!

Thanks!

I believe they would have a regulation. The problem they might want to come out and check you out.

HI Howling,

In India as per regulations we have to maintain minimum height of 15 feet from the floor, as I am not aware of the American Standards hence I may not be able to provide you the answer. I think any Crane mfr or DSL mfr can give you this information or you can approach factory inspector for this information.

You can also consider of switching to Protected Bus Bar System which is much safer, if your budget permits.

Suresh Sharma.

I appreciate the input, even though it is for India, it is still valuable to know! We did get feedback from one of our crane mfr saying they were not aware of any DISTANCE regs, just protection regs. Our bussbar system is an enclosed/guarded system... i had forgotten about that factor.

it looks like NFPA 70 says "locating or guarding contact cnductors: Runway contact conductors shall be guarded, and bridge contact condutors shall be located or guarded in such a manner that persons cannot inadvertently touch energized current-carrying parts" which says to me; so long as the bussbar is high enough that a person is not capable of throwing themselves across it without significant effort (aka, went and got a ladder, climbed up 12 feet, then jumped onto the conductors)... we're fine.

Still would love to get feedback if other people have additional thoughts/experience on this.

Thanks all!

The Canadian code, rule 40-020, requires that "bare" conductors, with no protective covering at all, be a minimum of 6 meters above the floor, finished grade or any working surface underneath the conductors.

If, as you mentioned, your bus is a guarded and protected system where contact with the live bus is impossible, unless someone were to do it on purpose, as long as the bus was high enough that mechanical considerations were met, in Canada, you would be good to go. This is true from an electrical code perspective.