page_178

< previous page | page_178 | next page >

Page 178

| 10 Disconnecting Devices |

| Switches.. |

| Less expensive equipment than circuit breakers can be used to accomplish many switching operations. Such equipment, commonly referred to as switches, also has the dual function of providing for physical separation in an electric circuit and restoring its continuity. |

| Switches serve many purposes. They may be used to |

| 1. De-energize equipment or portions of circuits upon which work is to be performed |

| 2. Isolate faulted equipment or faulted portions or circuits |

| 3. Provide electric supply from alternate circuits |

| 4. Distribute loads throughout an electric circuit to avoid or eliminate overloading of portions of the circuit |

| 5. Ground circuits |

| 6. Serve temporarily in place of circuit breakers |

| 7. Serve for a variety of purposes to meet particular situations. |

| Switches are of many types, shapes, and designs, ranging from a small snap switch used to control one or more lamps or signals to large electrically operated devices with some arc-handling capability. A variety of small specialty switches widely used in control and communication circuits are not normally considered as power equipment and are therefore not included here. |

< previous page | page_178 | next page >