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Subchapter 5. Electrical Safety Orders
Group 2. High-Voltage Electrical Safety Orders
Article 29. Capacitors (Formerly Article 78)

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§2890. Switching.

(a) Load Current. Single-pole individually operated or multi-pole group-operated switches used for capacitor switching shall be capable of:

 (1) carrying continuously not less than 135 percent of the rated current of the capacitor installation; 


 (2) interrupting the maximum continuous load current of each capacitor, capacitor bank, or capacitor installation that will be switched as a unit; 


 (3) withstanding the maximum inrush current, including contributions from adjacent capacitor installations; and 


 (4) carrying currents due to faults on the capacitor side of the switch. 


(b) Isolation.

 (1) A means shall be installed to isolate from all sources of voltage each capacitor, capacitor bank, or capacitor installation that will be removed from service as a unit. 


 (2) The isolating means shall provide a visible gap in the electrical circuit adequate for the operating voltage. 


 (3) Isolating or disconnecting switches (with no interrupting rating) shall be interlocked with the load interrupting device or shall be provided with prominently displayed caution signs in accordance with Section 2835 (h) to prevent switching load current. 


(c) Additional Requirements for Series Capacitors. The proper switching sequence shall be assured by use of at least one of the following:

 (1) Mechanically sequenced isolating and bypass switches. 


 (2) Interlocks. 


 (3) Switching procedure prominently displayed at the switching location. 


<General Materials (GM) - References, Annotations, or Tables>


    Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.  


 HISTORY 
   
1. Amendment filed 2-1-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, 
No. 6).

2. Editorial correction filed 11-2-83 (Register 83, No. 45).
3. Amendment filed 12-10-87; operative 1-9-88 (Register 88, No. 1).

4. Amendment of section and Note filed 4-1-2009; operative 4-1-2009. Submitted
to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3 (Register
2009, No. 14).

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