Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-3-4-.11

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 480-3-4-.11 - Electrical Equipment Installation

(1) Grounding

(a) The frames and bed plates of generators, transformers, compensators, rheostats, motors, and switches shall be effectively grounded. All metallic coverings and conduit shall also be grounded. All grounds for one unit shall be tied into one central ground. The owner, operator or superintendent shall be responsible for insuring that all electric circuits and equipment are properly grounded.

(b) The protective grounding of electrical circuits and equipment to water pipe systems, when available, is desired as such grounding offers the most effective protection to life and property. Gas or air pipe lines shall not be used for grounding circuits. Metal well casings, metal drain pipes and similar buried metal structures of considerable extent may be used in lieu of extended buried water piping systems.

(c) The ground connection to metallic piping systems shall be made by means of an approved clamp firmly bolted to the pipe after all rust and scale have been removed, or by means of a brass plug which has been tightly screwed into a pipe fitting or, where the pipe is of sufficient thickness, screwed into a hole in the pipe itself, or by other equivalent means. The grounding conductor shall be attached to the clamp or to the plug by means of solder or a suitable solderless connector.

(d) If conduit, couplings, or fittings having protective coating of non-conducting material, such as enamel, are used, such coating shall be thoroughly removed from couplings, conduits and such surfaces of fittings where the conduit or ground clamp is secured, in order to obtain a good connection.

(e) Artificial grounds should be located where practicable below permanent moisture level or, failing in this, at least six (6) feet deep. Areas where ground water level is close to the surface should be used when available.

(f) Where copper ground plates are used, they should be at least six hundredths (0.06) of an inch thick. When driven pipes are used, they should be of galvanized iron and not smaller than three-fourths (3/4) inch internal diameter, and when cast iron plates are used they should be at least twenty-five hundredths (0.25) inch thick.

(9) All fixed electric light and power lines, regardless of voltage, shall be properly supported on standard insulators.

(2) Insulation

(a) Portable extension light lines shall be flexible with heavy insulation, equipped with heavy wire light globe shield, hook, and heavy insulated handle. The socket shall be keyless and lamp circuit shall be protected by a fuse.

(3) High Voltage

(a) Where employees are required to handle high voltage insulated trailing cables, they shall be provided with and required to use approved cable tongs. Where surroundings are wet, such persons shall also be provided with and required to wear rubber gloves and rubber boots, while engaged in moving trailing cables.

(4) Trailing Cables

(a) Damage to the insulation of trailing cables shall be promptly reported and repairs made. Splicing shall be done only by a competent electrician or person competent to splice cables and splices shall be made moisture-proof. Where it is necessary for mechanical equipment to cross a cable, cable bridges shall be provided and used. Where armoured cables or conduit are used, the armour or metal conduit shall be electrically continuous, and when necessary to splice armoured cable, the broken section of the armour shall be bonded to insure electrical continuity.

(b) All transformers, unless of "dead front" construction or unless installed at least 8 feet above ground shall be enclosed in a house or surrounded by a fence at least 6 feet high. If the enclosure is metal, it shall be grounded effectively. The gate or door to enclosure shall be kept locked at all times unless authorized persons are present.

(c) "Danger-High Voltage" signs shall be posted conspicuously on all transformers, enclosures, and other high-potential installations.

(d) Insulating platforms of wood, rubber or other nonconductive material shall be kept in place at each switchboard, and at stationary machinery where shock hazards exist.

(e) Power circuits shall be protected against short circuits or excessive overload. Wires or other conducting materials shall not be used as a substitute for proper designed fuses.

(5) Illumination

(a) Stationary lights shall be provided at stations where machines are erected and in the proximity of which persons employed in the quarry or pit are working or moving about, shall be so lighted that the moving parts of such machinery can be readily distinguished.

Author: Department of Industrial Relations

Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-3-4-.11

Prior to October 1, 1982, this regulation was designated as General Rule 11.

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 25-2-2(3)