NFPA 79 - 2024, Chapter 6: Protection from Electrical Hazards

Last edit: 05/01/2024

6.2.3.1  Enclosure Access

This is the chapter that was most changed in the 2021 Edition, compared with the 2018 edition. 

Here the language from the 2018 edition 

[NFPA 79: 2018] 6.2.3.1 Enclosure Interlocking.

When required by 5.3.1.4, each disconnecting means mounted within or adjacent to a control enclosure that contains live parts operating at 50 volts ac (rms value) or 60 volts dc or more shall be mechanically or electrically interlocked, or both, with the control enclosure doors so that none of the doors open unless the power is disconnected. Interlocking shall be reactivated automatically when all the doors are closed.

Here the new language:

[NFPA 79: 2021] 6.2.3.1  Enclosure Access.
Opening an enclosure (e.g.  doors, lid, cover) that contains  live parts operating at or above 50 volts rms ac or 60 volts dc shall be permitted only under one or more of the following conditions:

The use of a key or tool is necessary for access to live parts operating at or above 50 volts rms ac or 60 volts dc. AII live  parts mounted on the inside of doors or covers that are operating at or above 50 volts rms ac or 60 volts dc shall be protected from unintentional direct contact by the inherent design of components or the application of barriers or obstacles such that a 50 mm (2 in.) sphere cannot contact any live parts. A safety sign shall be provided in accordance with  16.2.4.
The disconnecting means supplying the enclosure is interlocked with the enclosure door(s) in accordance with 6.2.3.2.
Opening without the use of a key or a tool and without disconnection of live parts shall be permitted only when all live parts inside that are operating at or above  50 volts rms ac or 60 volts dc are separately enclosed or guarded such that there cannot be any contact with live parts. A safety sign shall be provided in accordance with 16.2.4.

 

In essence, the inside of a control panel does not required any type of protection from direct contacts (IP 0 in IEC terminology). If IP 1 is present for components mounted on the inside of the doors, than a key is enough to guarantee protection; otherwise, all the doors need to be interlocked.

That means, from 2021, that no door interlocks will be required anymore for most of the industrial control panels with destination USA or Canada.