Key Interlock Specification Recommendations
By Kirk Key Interlock Company
Introduction
Because of the need for greater safety with regard to all classes of electrical
equipment, Kirk Key Interlock Company is working with standards organizations
to recognize that key interlocks are appropriate in many more circumstances
than manufacturers and installation contractors are currently utilizing them.
Insurance underwriters acknowledge that interlocking is the most reliable and
cost effective way to guard against operator error. When designing the
specifications for electrical equipment and systems, Kirk Key Interlock
encourages you to include key interlocks – the cost is insignificant and the
benefit to the overall safety of your design will be greatly enhanced.
In addition to the examples shown below, Kirk Key Interlock Company has
published Scheme Book which illustrates interlocking schemes covering a
variety of applications. A copy of the Scheme Book is available for
immediate downloading from our website (www.kirkkey.com).
Recommended Key Interlock Applications
The CPT’s drawer (control potential transformer) or trunnion and the CPT’s
secondary overcurrent protection device shall be equipped with Kirk Key
interlocks so that the secondary overcurrent protection must be opened or
disconnected before the CPT drawer or trunnion can be moved to the disconnect
or open position. (This is used when a CPT is in a drawer and a molded case
circuit breaker is used for secondary overcurrent protection.)
The fuse drawer or trunnion and the control potential transformer’s (CPT)
secondary overcurrent protection device must be equipped with Kirk Key
interlocks so that the secondary overcurrent protection must be opened or
disconnected before the fuse drawer or trunnion can be moved to the disconnect
or open position. (This is used when a larger CPT is fixed mounted and the fuses
are mounted in a fuse drawer or trunnion.)
The non-load break tie switch must be equipped with a Kirk Key interlock
coordinated with Kirk Key interlocks on all main circuit breakers feeding both
sides of this switch such that this tie switch can not be opened until the main
circuit breakers are key locked in the open position. This sequence also must
prohibit the closing of this tie switch on an energized bus. (This is used when a
non-load break switch is used functionally as a tie.)
The non-load break switch must be equipped with a Kirk Key interlock
coordinated with a Kirk Key interlock mounted on the first downstream
disconnecting device so that the non-load break switch cannot be opened until
this downstream disconnecting device main is key locked in the open position.
(This is to insure that a non-load break switch does not open under load.)
All fused load break switches must be equipped with Kirk Key interlocks so that
all doors accessing the fuses cannot be opened unless the load break switch is
key locked in the open position.
All negative disconnect switches must be equipped with Kirk Key interlocks
coordinated with Kirk Key interlocks on the DC main circuit breaker so that the
negative disconnect switch can not be opened unless the DC main circuit
breaker is key locked in the open position. (This is used on transit systems.)
A Kirk Key interlock is required for all equipment that would be tagged out based
on operation or maintenance safety procedures. This includes safety switches,
panel boards, electrical enclosures, molded case circuit breakers, medium
voltage switches and circuit breakers or any other electrical device that is de-
energized or disconnected and cannot be operated due to safety. A hasp type
lock is not acceptable.
A Kirk Key interlock is required for all back doors or rear sheets on medium
voltage metal clad switchgear coordinated with Kirk Key interlocks mounted on
the corresponding circuit breaker(s) such that the back door or sheet cannot be
opened or removed unless the breaker is key locked in the open position. All
possible back-feed sources must also be interlocked.
All main breakers shall be equipped with Kirk Key interlocks coordinated with
Kirk Key interlocks on all tie breakers to prevent paralleling of the incoming
lines.
All disconnect switches shall be supplied with Kirk Key interlocks coordinated
to Kirk Key interlocks on all associated main breakers to prevent operation
under load.
Kirk Key Interlock Company
9048 Meridian Circle NW.
North Canton OH 44720
Telephone: 1.234.209.9301
Toll Free: 1.800.438.2442
Fax: 1.330.497.4400
Email: [email protected]
Visit us on the Internet at http://www.kirkkey.com
