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U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978 |
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30 CFR § 18.53
High-voltage longwall mining systems.
Minimum Creepage Distances
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Minimum creepage distances (inches) for comparative tracking index (CTI) range
\1\
Phase to phase voltage Points of measure -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CTI
\1\ Assumes that all insulation is rated for the applied voltage or higher.
(o) Explosion-proof motor-starter enclosures must be designed to establish the minimum free distance (MFD) between the wall or cover of the enclosure and uninsulated electrical conductors inside the enclosure in accordance with the following table:
High-Voltage Minimum Free Distances (MFD)
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Steel MFD (in) Aluminum MFD (in)
Wall/cover thickness (in) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A \1\ B \2\ C \3\ A B C
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\1/4\............................. 2.8 4.3 5.8 \4\ NA \4\ NA \4\ NA
\3/8\............................. 1.8 2.3 3.9 8.6 12.8 18.1
\1/2\............................. * 1.2 2.0 2.7 6.5 9.8 13.0
\5/8\............................. * 0.9 1.5 2.1 5.1 7.7 10.4
\3/4\............................. * 0.6 * 1.1 1.6 4.1 6.3 8.6
1.................................
Note *: The minimum electrical clearances must still be maintained.
\1\ Column A specifies the MFD for enclosures that have available 3-phase bolted short-circuit currents of
10,000 amperes rms or less.
\2\ Column B specifies the MFD for enclosures that have a maximum available 3-phase bolted short-circuit
currents greater than 10,000 and less than or equal to 15,000 amperes rms.
\3\ Column C specifies the MFD for enclosures that have a maximum available 3-phase bolted short-circuit
currents greater than 15,000 and less than or equal to 20,000 amperes rms.
\4\ Not Applicable--MSHA doesn't allow aluminum wall or covers to be \1/4\ inch or less in thickness (Section
18.31).
(1) For values not included in the table, the following formulas on which the table is based may be used to determine the minimum free distance. (i) Steel Wall/Cover: ![]() (ii) Aluminum Wall/Cover: ![]() Where C is 1.4 for 2,400 volt systems or 3.0 for 4,160 volt systems, I (2) The minimum free distance must be increased by 1.5 inches for 4,160 volt systems and 0.7 inches for 2,400 volt systems when the adjacent wall area is the top of the enclosure. If a steel shield is mounted in conjunction with an aluminum wall or cover, the thickness of the steel shield is used to determine the minimum free distances. (p) The following static pressure test must be performed on each prototype design of explosion-proof enclosures containing high-voltage switchgear prior to the explosion tests. The static pressure test must also be performed on every explosion-proof enclosure containing high- voltage switchgear, at the time of manufacture, unless the manufacturer uses an MSHA accepted quality assurance procedure covering inspection of the enclosure. Procedures must include a detailed check of parts against the drawings to determine that the parts and the drawings coincide and that the minimum requirements stated in part 18 have been followed with respect to materials, dimensions, configuration and workmanship. (1) Test procedure. (i) The enclosure must be internally pressurized to at least the design pressure, maintaining the pressure for a minimum of 10 seconds. (ii) Following the pressure hold, the pressure must be removed and the pressurizing agent removed from the enclosure. (2) Acceptable performance. (i) The enclosure during pressurization must not exhibit-- (A) Leakage through welds or casting; or (B) Rupture of any part that affects the explosion-proof integrity of the enclosure. (ii) The enclosure following removal of the pressurizing agents must not exhibit-- (A) Visible cracks in welds; (B) Permanent deformation exceeding 0.040 inches per linear foot; or (C) Excessive clearances along flame-arresting paths following retightening of fastenings, as necessary. |