---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 169.681"
title: "46"
number: "169.681"
heading: "Disconnect switches and devices."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/169.681"
---

# §169.681. Disconnect switches and devices.

- (a) Externally operable switches or circuit breakers must be provided for motor and controller circuits and must open all ungrounded conductors of the circuit.
- (b) If the disconnect means is not within sight of the equipment that the circuit supplies, means must be provided for locking the disconnect device in the “open” position.
- (c) For circuits protected by fuses, the disconnect switch required for fuses in [§ 169.683(b)](/cfr/46/169.683.md?p=b) of this chapter is adequate for disconnecting the circuit from the supply.
- (d) The disconnect means may be in the same enclosure with motor controllers.
- (e) Disconnect means must be provided to open all conductors of generator and shore power cables.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986; 51 FR 10632, Mar. 28, 1986]

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

### Source

Source: CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986; 51 FR 10632, Mar. 28, 1986]