Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This one, about overhead gantry cranes and their safe isolation, is answered by SELECT:
I've recently carried out maintenance work in an engineering factory and have noticed there is a number of overhead gantry cranes in which there is no low level isolation. The cables leave the distribution boards and terminate in high level enclosures. There is an isolation point at high level for maintenance purposes and also a stop button on the crane controls that is operated from the floor.
Does there have to be a separate isolator accessible from ground level, and if so, what is the regulation number?
Answer: Regulation 132.15.2 of BS 7671:2008 requires that every fixed electric motor shall be provided with an efficient means of switching off, readily accessible, easily operated and placed so as to prevent danger.
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