Overcurrent Protection

Certain overcurrent protection requirements apply to circuits rated 600 volts, nominal, or less, and to feeders and branch circuits energized at more than 600 volts, nominal.

The following requirements apply to circuits rated at 600 volts, nominal, or less:

• Conductors and equipment must be protected from overcurrent in accordance with their ability to safely conduct current. Conductors must have sufficient ampacity to carry the load.
• Unless all conductors of the circuit are opened simultaneously, overcurrent devices cannot interrupt the continuity of the grounded conductor.

Feeder and branch circuits must have short-circuit protection if rated at more than 600 volts, nominal.

The full listing of the overcurrent protection requirements can be found in 29 CFR 1926.404.

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