What does it say?

700.3(F) is a new provision in NFPA’s 2017 National Electrical Code® (NEC®) for legally required systems. It requires provisions to be able to connect a temporary source of power for emergency systems which rely on a single alternate source of power which will be disabled for maintenance or repairs. The emergency system shall include permanent switching means to connect a portable or temporary alternate source of power, which shall be available for the duration of the maintenance or repair¹.

The permanent switching means to connect a portable or temporary source of power shall comply with:

• Connection to the portable or temporary source of power shall not require modification of the permanent system wiring.
• Transfer of power between the normal and emergency sources shall not exceed 10 seconds (in accordance with NEC 700.12).
• Mechanical or electrical interlocking shall prevent inadvertent interconnection of power sources.
• The switching means shall include a contact point that shall annunciate at a location remote from the generator or at another facility monitoring system to indicate that the permanent emergency source is disconnected from the emergency system. It shall be permissible to utilize manual switching to switch from the permanent source of power to the portable source of power and to utilize the switching means for the connection of a load bank

ESL’s TripleSwitch is 2017 NEC 700.3 (F) compliant when used in conjunction with an ATS. If you are looking for an alternate solution or one that works with your existing equipment click here.

Diagrams below represent TripleSwitch™ operating functions during various conditions.

	● The permanent generator is hard wired into ESL’s TripleSwitch. The output from the TripleSwitch is hard wired to the facility ATS. ● Under normal conditions the center breaker is “ON,” connecting the permanent generator to the facility ATS.
	● If the ATS needs emergency power, a start-up signal is sent from the ATS to the permanent generator. Once the ATS detects proper voltage, frequency and phase sequence, the ATS switches over.
	● When load bank testing of the permanent generator is required, a portable (or permanent) load bank tester is connected to the load bank connection point in the TripleSwitch. The center breaker is left “ON.” Next, the left hand breaker is turned “ON.” This connects the permanent generator to the load bank connection. The permanent generator can be started, and load bank testing can be done. In the event of a utility power loss to the facility, the ATS is prewired to a shunt trip in the left hand breaker tripping the breaker and allowing the permanent generator power to feed the facility.
	● When load bank testing is in progress both the left side load bank breaker and center ATS breaker are on (closed). If the utility power is lost during the load bank test, a signal from the ATS is sent to the shunt trip on the left side load bank breaker to open the breaker. The center breaker is on (closed) and the power from the generator is immediately redirected through the center ATS breaker to the facility.
	● Anytime the permanent generator is disconnected from the emergency system (maintenance, repairs, etc.) the annunciator circuit is activated. A separate portable (or secondary permanent) generator can be connected to the portable generator connection point, and by turning “ON” the right hand breaker the portable generator is connected to the emergency system.

1. Source: NFPA’s 2017 National Electrical Code® Handbook