Fuse disconnect safety switch (FDSS)
Various embodiments provide safety disconnect systems for a power system. In one aspect, a safety switch system and method for a power system, including a plurality of sequentially interlocked switches capable of being operated in a predetermined sequence to isolate one or more fuses, is provided. The described safety switch system is a convenient and sequential approach to safely remove power from a system and access associated fuses.
1. A safety switch system for a power system, comprising:
a plurality of sequentially interlocked switches capable of being operated in a predetermined sequence to isolate one or more fuses;
one or more exterior switches on an outer side of a door of the power system;
one or more interior switches on an inner portion of the power system; and
a handle interlocked with the door, wherein the handle is operably interlocked to open the door only after the one or more exterior switches are opened to prevent an active load to the safety switch system.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more exterior switches are one or more load-break switches.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more interior switches are one or more non-load-break switches positioned behind the outer side of the door.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a fuse area positioned behind an inner side of the door having a cover with a respective one of the one or more interior switches configured thereon to enable access to the fuse area.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the fuse area is accessible only after the respective one of the one or more interior switches is positioned to an open state to isolate the fuse area from an active load by turning a respective handle on the cover to the open state.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the fuse area is coverable with the cover only when the respective fuse area handle is fixedly positioned in communication with the respective one of the one or more interior switches.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the cover of the fuse area includes a viewable area for determining whether one or more contacts of the respective one of the one or more interior switches are closed or open.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the cover of the fuse area includes a viewable area for determining whether one or more contacts of the respective one of the one or more interior switches are arranged to enable an active load.
9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the viewable area is transparent.
10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the viewable area is a window providing visibility to the contacts.
11. The system of claim 1 being an enclosure capable of providing isolation of the one or more fuses.
12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a plurality of hinges for opening and closing the door.
13. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a plurality of inner doors for providing access to one or more fuse areas.
14. An electrical panel enclosure for a power system comprising:
a plurality of sequentially interlocked switches capable of being operated in a predetermined sequence to isolate one or more fuses;
one or more load-break switches on an outer side of a panel door;
one or more non-load-break switches on an inner portion of the enclosure; and
a handle interlocked with the panel door being interlocked to open the panel door only after the one or more load-break switches are opened to prevent an active load to the safety switch system.
15. The panel enclosure of claim 14 , further comprising a fuse area on the inner portion of the enclosure having a cover with a respective one of the one or more non-load-break switches configured thereon to enable access to the fuse area, wherein the cover of the fuse area includes a viewable area for determining whether one or more contacts of one of the one or more non-load-break switches are closed.
16. A method of accessing a safety switch system sourced from a power system having a plurality of sequentially interlocked switches capable of isolating one or more fuses, the method comprising:
positioning one or more exterior switches on the outer side of a panel door to a first exterior position;
opening the panel door to reveal one or more interior switches, wherein a handle is operably interlocked with the panel door to open the panel door only after the one or more exterior switches are opened to prevent an active load to the safety switch system;
positioning the one or more interior switches to a first interior position;
opening an inner panel door to reveal one or more fuses; and
removing the one or more fuses.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the one or more exterior switches are load-break switches.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the one or more interior switches are non-load-break switches.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first exterior position is an open position and the first interior position is an open position.
20. A method of securing a safety switch system devoid of an active load for operation with a power system having a plurality of sequentially interlocked switches capable of isolating one or more fuses, the method comprising:
installing one or more fuses;
closing one or more inner panel doors to secure the one or more installed fuses;
positioning one or more interior switches covering respective one or more fuse areas to a second interior position;
closing an exterior door; and
positioning one or more exterior switches on an exterior side of the door to a second exterior position, wherein a handle is operably interlocked with the door to open the door only after the one or more exterior switches are opened to prevent the active load to the safety switch system.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the one or more exterior switches are load-break switches.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the one or more interior switches are non-load-break switches.
23. The method of claim 20 , wherein the second exterior position is a closed position and the second interior position is a closed position.