CFR > Title 30 - Mineral Resources > CHAPTER I—MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR > SUBCHAPTER O—COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH (parts 70 to 90) > PART 75—MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS—UNDERGROUND COAL MINES > SUBPART I—Underground High-Voltage Distribution (§75.800 to §75.834) > 75.815—Disconnect devices.

75.815—Disconnect devices.

(a) The section power center must be equipped with a main disconnecting device installed to deenergize all cables extending to longwall equipment when the device is in the “open” position. See Figures I-1 and I-2 in Appendix A to this subpart I.
(b) Disconnecting devices for motor-starter enclosures must be maintained in accordance with the approval requirements of paragraph (f) of § 18.53 of part 18 of this chapter. The compartment for the disconnect device must be provided with a caution label to warn miners against entering the compartment before deenergizing the incoming high-voltage circuits to the compartment.
(c) Disconnecting devices must be rated for the maximum phase-to-phase voltage of the circuit in which they are installed, and for the full-load current of the circuit that is supplied power through the device.
(d) Each disconnecting device must be designed and installed so that—
(1) Visual observation determines that the contacts are open without removing any cover;
(2) All load power conductors can be grounded when the device is in the “open” position; and
(3) The device can be locked in the “open” position.
(e) Disconnecting devices, except those installed in explosion-proof enclosures, must be capable of interrupting the full-load current of the circuit or designed and installed to cause the current to be interrupted automatically prior to the opening of the contacts of the device. Disconnecting devices installed in explosion-proof enclosures must be maintained in accordance with the approval requirements of paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of § 18.53 of part 18 of this chapter.