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Electrical inspection question

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mach158

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So I forgot to call today and ask this so hoping someone here may know.

I have a 220v air compressor hard wired. The switch on the compressor does not work as I broke the plastic cap when hooking up the wiring. Really don't feel like replacing it. So now the air compressor is only controlled by the breaker but of course it has the auto shut off and auto on feature that works without an issue.

Will the switch need to be replaced or am I fine as is?
 
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wyliesdiesels

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Breakers are not designed to be used as a shutoff. They will eventually wear out with repeated use like that...

Do u have a disconnect for the compressor?
 
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bmxdad

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I'd fix it a soon as possible. Like wyliesdiesel said, breakers are not switches. If the compressor is in line of site of the breaker though your OK though ... at least in Western Washington. Otherwise you should get a cutoff switch.
 
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poteau

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Simple fix. Just grab a wall switch from the store and wire it into the wall near the compressor.


-Richard
 
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MBfreak

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Sorry for a non topic question, but I am really interested.
It is stated above "Breakers are not designed to be used as a shutoff. "
First. Does that mean that the breaker is not allowed to perform as a safety isolation device ( even if it is lockable)
Second. What is the type test duty for a " Breaker" in the US?.
In Europe the real large stuff is nowadays most often type tested after 10000 cycles. Upgraded from 2000 cycles some 10 years ago ( Real large stuff = 10kV and up to 525 kV). Low voltage breakers and MCB/MCCB´s have been 10000 ops for a long time.
Both HV, MV and LV breakers are approved as point of isolation even if the actual contact mechanism can not be visually inspected. Lots of other criteria will have to be met though.

At a more mundane level, I have a shop where the MCB´s for the entire house are installed. For lighting in the shop I have 4 separate MCB´s and no wall mounted switches. I sectionalize the lighting by flipping the MCB´s.

When leavin the shop I have a master switch that shuts of all outlets and light fixtures, great peace of mind thingy.

Ola
 
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ddawg16

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wyliesdiesels said:
Breakers are not designed to be used as a shutoff. They will eventually wear out with repeated use like that...

Do u have a disconnect for the compressor?
Click to expand...

Correct. They were not 'designed' to use as a general switching device. I'll admit I'm using mine like that just now. But then again, it do it maybe twice a month at most? Just haven't had time to install a switch at the wall. (bigger priorities)

In my experience (gas station), the CB gets weak and has trouble staying on from the wear and tear. The latch wears on it.

It's kinda like turning off the computer. Yea, you can grab the plug and yank it out of the wall....but you really are better off using the power button.
 
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walrus

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wyliesdiesels said:
Breakers are not designed to be used as a shutoff. They will eventually wear out with repeated use like that...
Click to expand...
I suppose a big load like a compressor motor will wear out a breaker but breakers are used for switches all over the place. I have many stores where they are switched on and off every day. Its rare when I change out a bad breaker. It does happen though and yes using them as switches isn't code...
 
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Showkey

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Breakers as switches.........another one of the those topics with opinions that vary widely.

Reality check........compressor.........hobby shop ? On and off once or twice a week ?
avid hobby shop ?........on and off once per day ?
 
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mach158

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I plan to eventually replace it but did not want to replace it before the inspection.

Was asking if i can pass inspection how it is or it needs done now?

I do not have a switch as panel is in line of sight.

I can replace if needed but i will need to order the piece and it will take a week to get and i was hoping to get my inspection done early this week.

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Speedy Petey

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I don't see this breaker being used as a switch, only a means of disconnect. The pressure switch will do the turning on and off.
 
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MagnumForce

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So any factory around the country that uses breakers to turn out the lights is wrong?

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malibu101

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Agreed that the breaker can be the disconnecting means as long as it is within sight of the machine and less than 50' away
 
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mach158

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Panel is 40' feet away. Guess ill just call tomorrow and see what they say.

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theoldwizard1

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Speedy Petey said:
He clearly stated the panel was within sight (post #13). The breaker IS the disconnect.
Click to expand...

That is not acceptable in a commercial application. The disconnect must be immediately adjacent to the equipment and be capable of being "locked out" by the technician servicing the equipment.
 
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Speedy Petey

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theoldwizard1 said:
That is not acceptable in a commercial application. The disconnect must be immediately adjacent to the equipment and be capable of being "locked out" by the technician servicing the equipment.
Click to expand...
I was going to ask, WHERE do you see that this is commercial???
 
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Norcal

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The FIB said:
You can switch lighting circuits with swd breakers.
Click to expand...

Flourescent lighting is required to use SWD breakers when they are used as switches, HID lighting is required to use HID rated breakers if used as switches. But that has nothing to do with a compressor disco, and if one is needed a cheap pullout A/C disco can be had for around $ 10 bucks.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Speedy Petey said:
I was going to ask, WHERE do you see that this is commercial???
Click to expand...

The computer server room I was responsible for before I retired 7 years ago, had 5 large A/C unit (each about the size of 3 large side-by-side refrigerators). Even though each had a disconnect INSIDE, they had to have an additional lockable disconnect mounted to the outside so that it would be visible to anyone just walking by.

The sparkies doing the job told me there were hundreds around the corporate campus, not including building that were "off campus".

Of course, shutting down just one of them in the middle of summer would push that computer room close to the over-temp shutdown.
 
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sberry

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Some of this assumes the comp is empty every day and turned off. Mine is on 24/7 and used as a switch about 2x in its lifetime. There is a switch on the contactor on mine which helps but as Speedy says, the pressure switch does the work.
 
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Alan Douglas

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The company I worked for, used the breakers to shut the lights and benches off every night. After about 20 years the breakers started getting flaky. They installed proper switches.
 
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