NEMA ICS 2.8

Description / Abstract: The standards in this part cover AC motor-circuit switches rated 600 volts used in industrial control equipment. Also included are separable or accessory operating mechanisms and handles for the external operation of motor-circuit switches, circuit breakers, and molded-case switches. The devices covered by this standard are for application in combination starters, motor control centers, and industrial control panels. See Figure 8- 1- 1. Excluded are the operating mechanisms that are an internal or integral part of motor-circuit switches, circuit breakers, or moldedcase switches.

Horsepower-rated switches mounted separately in their own enclosures, commonly called "safety" or "enclosed switches" or "miscellaneous "switches," are not included in the scope of this standard. Although ANSVNFPA 70 (NEC) permits devices not rated in horsepower, such as circuit breakers, moided-case switches, general-use switches, and snap switches to serve as the disconnecting means in industrial control equipment under specified circumstances, such disconnecting means are not covered by this standard. Also excluded are manual motor controllers, pullout switches, and wiring devices rated in horsepower.

This standard does not address the suitablility of manual motor controllers intended for use as disconnecting means.