Installation of Equipment

Electrical equipment must be installed neatly. Listed or labeled equipment must be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included with the equipment.

OSHA sets forth requirements to ensure that electrical equipment is installed safely. These can be summarized as follows.

• Insulation integrity: Completed wiring installations must be free from any short circuits and grounds that are not required or permitted by OSHA.
• Interrupting rating: Equipment intended to interrupt current at fault levels must have an interrupting rating sufficient for the nominal circuit voltage.
• Circuit impedance: Circuit protective devices must be capable of clearing a fault without resulting in damage to the components of the circuit.
• Deteriorating agents: Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or equipment may be located in areas that are damp or wet; excessively hot; or exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or similar agents.
• Closed openings: Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings must be closed.
• Racking: In underground and subsurface enclosures that people enter for installation and maintenance, conductors must be racked.
• Damage and contamination: Internal parts of electrical equipment cannot be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, cleaners, or corrosive residues.
• Secure mounting: Electrical equipment must be firmly mounted on its supporting surface.
• Cooling: Electrical equipment that depends on the natural circulation of air for cooling of exposed surfaces must be installed so that the airflow in the room is sufficient for this purpose.

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