Jerry do you know what this clip or lock is for?

[Marc M]

When placed in a locking position it appears that it will not allow the breaker to trip. Anyway, never seen one, or this before.
Someone on IN called it a clip.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Hi Marc,

You are, I think, referring to the device just above the double pole 15 amp breaker.

That is a breaker lock out and it is to allow the breaker to be "locked out" with a small lock so the breaker cannot be turned back on while the appliance/equipment supplied by that breaker is being serviced or replaced.

That is allowed to be used for many appliances/equipment instead of having a disconnect installed right at the appliance/equipment.

In my opinion, those are only used by electricians "trying to take the cheap way out" and save the cost of installing a proper disconnect at the appliance/equipment. In my opinion, they are not as safe as the disconnect at the equipment, but, alas, they are allowed by code.

There are, as indicated above, some instances in which those *are not* allowed to be used to replace the disconnect at the equipment. The one most applicable to dwelling unit installation is at the air conditioning equipment - those *are not allowed to be used to replace the disconnect at the air conditioning equipment*.

[Marc M]

Jerry,
Thanks for all the attention to detail.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

HI Marc,

Thought I would post the code section below for you in case you need it. The exceptions apply as follows: Exception 1 is only applicable to "an industrial process"; Exception 2 is for window type units and refrigerators which come with a cord and plug.

From the 2008 NEC. (underlining and bold are mine)
- ARTICLE 440 Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Equipment
- - II. Disconnecting Means
- - - 440.14 Location.
- - - - Disconnecting means shall be located within sight from and readily accessible from the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be installed on or within the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment.
- - - - The disconnecting means shall not be located on panels that are designed to allow access to the air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment or to obscure the equipment nameplate(s).
- - - - - Exception No. 1: Where the disconnecting means provided in accordance with 430.102(A) is capable of being locked in the open position, and the refrigerating or air-conditioning equipment is essential to an industrial process in a facility with written safety procedures, and where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment, a disconnecting means within sight from the equipment shall not be required. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed.
- - - - - Exception No. 2: Where an attachment plug and receptacle serve as the disconnecting means in accordance with 440.13, their location shall be accessible but shall not be required to be readily accessible.
- - - - - - FPN: See Parts VII and IX of Article 430 for additional requirements.

- - - 440.13 Cord-Connected Equipment.
- - - - For cord-connected equipment such as room air conditioners, household refrigerators and freezers, drinking water coolers, and beverage dispensers, a separable connector or an attachment plug and receptacle shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
- - - - - FPN: For room air conditioners, see 440.63.