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Page 181

| Disconnects |

| Switches used merely to insert a physical separation in a circuit are associated with almost every type of major circuit or piece of electrical equipment as a safety measure to ensure that the line or equipment upon which work is to be done cannot be energized accidentally. To differentiate them from air-break switches, they are often called disconnects (Fig. 10-3A). They are not designed to be opened while the circuit in which they are connected is energized. While they are also not designed to close circuits, they may, under some circumstances and with special care, be closed while a circuit is energized. |

| Figure 10-3 Disconnect switch: (A) Switch in closed position, and (B) switch never opened under load. |

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