Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: brother, Location: "I have learned, in whatsoever STATE I am, therewi
Asked on: Friday, April 22, 2011 at 2:48 am EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:31 am EDT
Question: There was a discussion about having a 'bypass' for the elevators that are fed off a shunt trip breaker.So far I have not found a NEC 2008 code violation. The reason they want to install the shunt trip breaker in a bypass equipment is if the shunt trip goes bad(coil etc.) or malfunction then in an emergency situation they can 'bypass' this breaker and feed the elevators so they use them while the breaker is getting ordered or replaced. Of course when they actually do the work of replacing the breaker it will have the power off to the elevators.So are there any code issues that are a concern here??Just in case your wondering there is a another 'main' breaker that feeds this shunt trip breaker that is about 7 floors up, so the conductors will be protected regardless.
NEC 2008 Code Compliance
NEC 2008 Article 520.100(B) states that elevators shall be provided with a means for disconnecting all power sources to the elevator equipment. This includes shunt trip breakers.Therefore, providing a bypass for a shunt trip breaker violates NEC 2008 Article 520.100(B).
Additional Concerns
In addition to the code violation, there are several other concerns associated with installing a bypass for a shunt trip breaker: Safety hazard
Bypassing a shunt trip breaker could create a safety hazard by allowing power to flow to the elevator equipment even if the shunt trip device has malfunctioned.
Reduced protection
Bypassing the shunt trip breaker would reduce the level of protection provided to the elevator equipment.
Tampering
A bypass could provide unauthorized personnel with a way to tamper with the elevator equipment, which could increase the risk of accidents.
Invalidation of insurance
Installing a bypass could invalidate any insurance coverage for the elevator equipment.
Recommended Solution
Instead of installing a bypass, consider the following recommended solutions: Use a shunt trip breaker with a redundant coil
This will provide backup protection if the primary coil fails.
Install a bypass switch on the main breaker feeding the elevator
This would allow the elevators to be safely powered down during maintenance or replacement of the shunt trip breaker.*
Contact a qualified electrician: They can assess the specific situation and recommend the most appropriate solution that meets code requirements and safety standards. Flag for review