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2024 NEC Change for AC Disconnects

jar546

jar546

CBO
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
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Not where I really want to be
What differences do you see?

440.11 General.
Disconnecting means shall be capable of disconnecting air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment, including motor-compressors and controllers, from the circuit conductors. If the disconnecting means is readily accessible to unqualified persons, any enclosure door or hinged cover of a disconnecting means enclosure that exposes energized parts when open shall require a tool to open or be capable of being locked.
 
Good thing pretty much all of them have locking provisions...Does this include the "switch" at the top of the basement stairs for the furnace? Is that considered part of the A/C equipment? .....You remember basements don't you?
 
None of any significance. All of the ones I see are capable of being locked. If not, zip tie it shut so you need a tool to cut the zip tie to open it.
 
The
BN4537 said:
Do you have a picture of one that can't be locked? What do they look like?
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Apparently they must as there is a specific code for that. I recall that Tiger Code addressed this issue for solar installations. That was prior to a NEC section for PV. I wrote corrections regarding this.
 
So, my understanding is that this language for air conditioner disconnects was added in the 2023 NEC as an exception to the new 404.1 rule that all switch enclosures having live parts accessible when the door is opened shall require the use of a tool to open or be designed not to open with the switch in the closed position.

The 404.1 rule was primarily aimed at solar installations like the one below, but obviously could turn up at water heater disconnects or in commercial kitchens or pretty much anywhere a disconnect could be used.

The language allows that if it is an air conditioner, you can still use this variety of disconnect with no protection because it is lockable, but if you are not using it for an air conditioner you have to actually lock it, screw it shut, zip tie it closed, or use a different kind of disconnect altogether. Why an A/C disconnect should be any different than any other baffles me.



Picture1.jpg
ICE said:
This requirement should apply to all disconnects for equipment of any type.
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ICE said:
Apparently they must as there is a specific code for that. I recall that Tiger Code addressed this issue for solar installations. That was prior to a NEC section for PV. I wrote corrections regarding this.
Click to expand...
Both a pioneer and a visionary ;)
 
steveray said:
Good thing pretty much all of them have locking provisions...Does this include the "switch" at the top of the basement stairs for the furnace? Is that considered part of the A/C equipment? .....You remember basements don't you?
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The switch at the top of the stairs is not a disconnect with a door; it is not required to be serviced while energized, so there is no need to lock it.

NFPA 31 10.5.1 covers the switch requirements, but is not universally required in IMC or IFGC etc.
 
Gregg Harris said:
The switch at the top of the stairs is not a disconnect with a door; it is not required to be serviced while energized, so there is no need to lock it.

NFPA 31 10.5.1 covers the switch requirements, but is not universally required in IMC or IFGC etc.
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I was thinking more about this part than the locking part:

440.14 Location.




Disconnecting means shall be located within sight from, and readily accessible from, the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be installed on or within the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. Disconnecting means shall meet the working space requirements of 110.26(A).

The disconnecting means shall not be located on panels that are designed to allow access to the air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment or where it obscures the equipment nameplate(s).
 
steveray said:
I was thinking more about this part than the locking part:

440.14 Location.




Disconnecting means shall be located within sight from, and readily accessible from, the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be installed on or within the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. Disconnecting means shall meet the working space requirements of 110.26(A).

The disconnecting means shall not be located on panels that are designed to allow access to the air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment or where it obscures the equipment nameplate(s).
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This would pertain to the actual "service disconnect"; the other would be the emergency shut-off switch in case the room was filled with smoke or other egregious issues preventing your access to the service switch that is required to be within reach of interior equipment. NEC 422.31a
 
Gregg Harris said:
This would pertain to the actual "service disconnect"; the other would be the emergency shut-off switch in case the room was filled with smoke or other egregious issues preventing your access to the service switch that is required to be within reach of interior equipment. NEC 422.31a
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Thanks for talking it out...I get this one and the 2023 working clearance one confused at times....This one is a problem for the equipment mounted switches in the basement we normally see unless they are using the breaker or we are not considering the air handler for the AC to be AC equipment......

440.14 Location.

Disconnecting means shall be located within sight from, and readily accessible from, the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be installed on or within the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. Disconnecting means shall meet the working space requirements of 110.26(A).
 
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