30 C.F.R. Subpart F—Electrical Equipment—General
Title 30 - Mineral Resources
Power circuits and electric equipment shall be deenergized before work is done on such circuits and equipment, except when necessary for troubleshooting or testing. No electrical work shall be performed on electric distribution circuits or equipment, except by a qualified person or by a person trained to perform electrical work and to maintain electrical equipment under the direct supervision of a qualified person. Disconnecting devices shall be locked out and suitably tagged by the persons who perform such work, except that in cases where locking out is not possible, such devices shall be opened and suitably tagged by such persons. Locks or tags shall be removed only by the persons who installed them or, if such persons are unavailable, by persons authorized by the operator or his agent. A qualified person within the meaning of §77.501 is an individual who meets the requirements of §77.103. Electric equipment shall be frequently examined, tested, and properly maintained by a qualified person to assure safe operating conditions. When a potentially dangerous condition is found on electric equipment, such equipment shall be removed from service until such condition is corrected. A record of such examinations shall be kept. A qualified person within the meaning of §77.502 is an individual who meets the requirements of §77.103. The examinations and tests required under the provision of this §77.502 shall be conducted at least monthly. Electric conductors shall be sufficient in size and have adequate current carrying capacity and be of such construction that a rise in temperature resulting from normal operation will not damage the insulating materials. Electric conductors shall be sufficient in size to meet the minimum current carrying capacity provided for in the National Electric Code, 1968. All trailing cables shall meet the minimum requirements for ampacity provided in the standards of the Insulated Power Cable Engineers Association—National Electric Manufacturers Association in effect when such cables are purchased. Electrical connections or splices in electric conductors shall be mechanically and electrically efficient, and suitable connectors shall be used. All electrical connections or splices in insulated wire shall be reinsulated at least to the same degree of protection as the remainder of the wire. Cables shall enter metal frames of motors, splice boxes, and electric compartments only through proper fittings. When insulated wires, other than cables, pass through metal frames, the holes shall be substantially bushed with insulated bushings. Automatic circuit-breaking devices or fuses of the correct type and capacity shall be installed so as to protect all electric equipment and circuits against short circuit and overloads. Devices providing either short circuit protection or protection against overload shall conform to the minimum requirements for protection of electric circuits and equipment of the National Electric Code, 1968. All electric equipment shall be provided with switches or other controls that are safely designed, constructed, and installed. All ungrounded, exposed power conductors and telephone wires shall be equipped with suitable lightning arresters which are adequately installed and connected to a low resistance grounding medium. Lightning arresters protecting exposed telephone wires entering buildings shall be provided at the point where each such telephone wire enters the building. (a) Transformers shall be of the totally enclosed type, or shall be placed at least 8 feet above the ground, or installed in a transformer house, or surrounded by a substantial fence at least 6 feet high and at least 3 feet from any energized parts, casings, or wiring. (b) Transformer stations shall be enclosed to prevent persons from unintentionally or inadvertently contacting energized parts. (c) Transformer enclosures shall be kept locked against unauthorized entry. Resistors, heaters, and rheostats shall be located so as to minimize fire hazards and, where necessary, provided with guards to prevent personal contact. Suitable danger signs shall be posted at all major electrical installations. Inspection and cover plates on electrical equipment shall be kept in place at all times except during testing or repairs. Dry wooden platforms, insulating mats, or other electrically nonconductive material shall be kept in place at all switchboards and power-control switches where shock hazards exist. However, metal plates on which a person normally would stand and which are kept at the same potential as the grounded, metal, non-current-carrying parts of the power switches to be operated may be used. Switchboards shall be installed to provide passageways or lanes of travel which permit access to the back of the switchboard from both ends for inspection, adjustment or repair. Openings permitting access to the rear of any switchboard shall be guarded, except where they are located in buildings which are kept locked. The voltage on bare signal or control wires accessible to personal contact shall not exceed 40 volts. In addition to the requirements of §§77.503 and 77.506, all wiring and electrical equipment installed after June 30, 1971, shall meet the requirements of the National Electric Code in effect at the time of installation.
Title 30: Mineral Resources
PART 77—MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS, SURFACE COAL MINES AND SURFACE WORK AREAS OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES
Subpart F—Electrical Equipment—General
§ 77.500 Electric power circuits and electric equipment; deenergization.
§ 77.501 Electric distribution circuits and equipment; repair.
§ 77.501-1 Qualified person.
§ 77.502 Electric equipment; examination, testing, and maintenance.
§ 77.502-1 Qualified person.
§ 77.502-2 Electric equipment; frequency of examination and testing.
§ 77.503 Electric conductors; capacity and insulation.
§ 77.503-1 Electric conductors.
§ 77.504 Electrical connections or splices; suitability.
§ 77.505 Cable fittings; suitability.
§ 77.506 Electric equipment and circuits; overload and short-circuit protection.
§ 77.506-1 Electric equipment and circuits; overload and short circuit protection; minimum requirements.
§ 77.507 Electric equipment; switches.
§ 77.508 Lightning arresters, ungrounded and exposed power conductors and telephone wires.
§ 77.508-1 Lightning arresters; wires entering buildings.
§ 77.509 Transformers; installation and guarding.
§ 77.510 Resistors; location and guarding.
§ 77.511 Danger signs at electrical installations.
§ 77.512 Inspection and cover plates.
§ 77.513 Insulating mats at power switches.
§ 77.514 Switchboards; passageways and clearance.
§ 77.515 Bare signal or control wires; voltage.
§ 77.516 Electric wiring and equipment; installation and maintenance.
