Well - it looks like bureaucrats who deal in theory and not practice are at it again. With the new workspace requirement being added to a simple non-fuzed disconnect (basically an electrical plug) has anyone resorted to using the exception (the one for kitchen refrigerators) and just put a 50A plug on their unit? Seems like an RV plug would work well and I won’t have to rewire anything.
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Residential A/C Disconnect
- Thread starter BuzzL
- Start date
jar546
CBO
Why would you post this in the energy code section?
moved
OK now that it has been moved to where it should be, how about an NEC code cycle and section for reference.
Would the plug then be a non-fused disconnect and still be caught up in that ridiculous bit of code? I don't have a copy of that code, Does it specify "disconnect" or perhaps "outlet"? An attachment plug could involve either or both.
Sorry about the misplaced post. 2023 NEC 440.14 Exception #2 “Where an attachment plug and receptacle serve as the disconnecting means in accordance with 440.13, their location shall be accessible but shall not be required to be readily accessible.”
Also for outdoor HVAC compressors (seems to fit defense of “electrical equipment”) how do we get around 110.26(E)(2)(C) that requires “no piping or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation” in the dedicated equipment space?
Also for outdoor HVAC compressors (seems to fit defense of “electrical equipment”) how do we get around 110.26(E)(2)(C) that requires “no piping or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation” in the dedicated equipment space?
I still haven’t seen the relevant code. Would a power cord and attachment plug be permitted per the listing? I am reluctant to make assumptions based on code that i do not have access to however, 440.13 would not apply to a fixed in place condenser.
So you would take the items listed in 440.13 as an all encompassing list? I don’t see how there should be an issue. If the rules are good for a “mini-split” system why not to a traditional system? Either an outlet/plug disconnect is safe or it is not. The specific equipment it is connected to is irrelevant.
Has anyone tried to use this approach?
Has anyone tried to use this approach?
jar546
CBO
wwhitney
REGISTERED
The exception only provides relief from the "readily accessible" requirement in 440.14, not from the requirement to comply with 110.26(A). 2023 NEC 440.14 excerpted below.
Cheers, Wayne
2023 NEC said:
https://www.thebuildingcodeforum.co...r-440-14-readily-accessible-nec-110-26.33730/
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).
wwhitney
REGISTERED
Good point. Seems like in adding the language in 440.14 about compliance with 110.26(A) the CMP did not think out how that would affect the appliances you listed. A further revision is in order, e.g. changing Exception 2 to read "Where an attachment plug and receptacle serve as the disconnecting means in accordance with 440.13, their location shall only be required to be accessible." Which reads as a substitution for the whole of 440.14, rather than just one part of it.
Unfortunately, no one has picked up on this to submit a PI or PC for the 2026 NEC, so it will have to wait for the 2029 NEC.
Cheers, Wayne
steveray
SAWHORSE
Or a water line for an icemaker on a "normal" fridge....
ICE ... here is the reference. Sorry. I didn't see that you had repeated your request.
Do you see 440.13 as a comprehensive list or can I just add a plug to my compressor/condenser and change my non-fused disconnect to an outdoor outlet and cover? Even based on this short list ... moveability (wheels, attachment, etc) and amperage don't seem to be limiting factors. Those big built-in refrigerators probably weigh more than my condenser and some room air conditioners (mini-split systems and some window units) draw more than a 110v/20a circuit can provide.
The problem is that in all honesty, no one thinks that a non-fused disconnect is more likely to be repaired or replaced while the circuit is energized than the repair/replacement of a regular outlet. In fact, an A/C disconnect is probably much less likely to undergo repair/replacement while energized. I've seen lots of guys "take a chance" on a repair with an energized110v/20a circuit and none "take a chance" with an energized 220v/50a circuit.
So has no one just put a plug on their compressor? I don't think it is the best way to do things, but it seems to meet the rules.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For cord-connected equipment such as room air conditioners, household refrigerators and freezers, drinking water coolers, and beverage dispensers, a separable connector or an attachment plug and receptacle shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
Informational Note: See 440.63 for room air conditioners.
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).
Exception No. 1: Where the disconnecting means provided in accordance with 430.102(A) is lockable in accordance with 110.25 and the refrigerating or air-conditioning equipment is essential to an industrial process in a facility with written safety procedures, and where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment, a disconnecting means within sight from the equipment shall not be required.
Exception No. 2: Where an attachment plug and receptacle serve as the disconnecting means in accordance with 440.13, their location shall be accessible but shall not be required to be readily accessible.
Do you see 440.13 as a comprehensive list or can I just add a plug to my compressor/condenser and change my non-fused disconnect to an outdoor outlet and cover? Even based on this short list ... moveability (wheels, attachment, etc) and amperage don't seem to be limiting factors. Those big built-in refrigerators probably weigh more than my condenser and some room air conditioners (mini-split systems and some window units) draw more than a 110v/20a circuit can provide.
The problem is that in all honesty, no one thinks that a non-fused disconnect is more likely to be repaired or replaced while the circuit is energized than the repair/replacement of a regular outlet. In fact, an A/C disconnect is probably much less likely to undergo repair/replacement while energized. I've seen lots of guys "take a chance" on a repair with an energized110v/20a circuit and none "take a chance" with an energized 220v/50a circuit.
So has no one just put a plug on their compressor? I don't think it is the best way to do things, but it seems to meet the rules.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
440.13 Cord-Connected Equipment
For cord-connected equipment such as room air conditioners, household refrigerators and freezers, drinking water coolers, and beverage dispensers, a separable connector or an attachment plug and receptacle shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
Informational Note: See 440.63 for room air conditioners.
440.14 Location
DiagramDisconnecting 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).
Exception No. 1: Where the disconnecting means provided in accordance with 430.102(A) is lockable in accordance with 110.25 and the refrigerating or air-conditioning equipment is essential to an industrial process in a facility with written safety procedures, and where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment, a disconnecting means within sight from the equipment shall not be required.
Exception No. 2: Where an attachment plug and receptacle serve as the disconnecting means in accordance with 440.13, their location shall be accessible but shall not be required to be readily accessible.
For many years we did not permit a cord and plug to be installed on a forced air furnace because they were not tested and listed with a cord and attachment plug. The units left the factory ready for a hard-wire. Then about ten years ago we relented as long as the cord and plug was rated 20 amp or higher. i am not a fan of an attachment plug serving as a disconnect for an ac condenser given the load and possible disconnecting under load. I may be too strict and if the code would allow it so be it. I would not have it for my own condensers.
Paul Sweet
SAWHORSE
How about a twist-lock plug & receptacle?
I would move this thread again but there isn’t a silly section.
jar546
CBO
Why? Is compliance impossible?
Jar546 ... first thanks for getting this in the right section. I appreciate the input from everyone on the forum. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything and it doesn't look like I am. Thank you.
Of course, compliance is not impossible - in some cases it is just insane. The new change that was illogically thought through, is silly (actually it is absolutely STUPID). Compliance with the new rule is taking a safe and sane situation and turning it into an asinine setup just to ensure compliance. The only people benefitting from having to relocate A/C disconnects to comply with work space requirements are electricians. It is not making anyone safer and is not helping a homeowner. I think we can all agree that no one (if we are truly being honest) thinks that we had a problem with electricians trying to repair/replace a non-fused A/C disconnect while the circuit was energized. If it was reasonable to assume that we would be working on an energized circuit, I would agree with the change and the need for a clear workspace - this is not the case. This change to the 2023 NEC is "silly." Even trying to keep this change and fix the language will only create a "double standard" with no rationale as to why a certain type of disconnect is okay in one instance, but not another. A plug disconnect is okay for a 300lb built in refrigerator, but not for a 200lb A/C condenser. A plug disconnect is okay for 50a room air conditioning unit, but not for a 50a A/C condenser. A plug disconnect doesn't need workspace clarences when under a counter, but does when it is located elsewhere. Double standards are .... SILLY.
You know another silly 2023 change? The outlet requirement for a kitchen island. Those crappy pop-ups are just that -- crappy. They are inserted into a counter top where liquids will get spilled into/onto them (repeatedly) causing corrosion and other issues. In my opinion this is less safe than having an outlet on the side of the island. Sure, maybe those side outlets should be within a few inches of the counter top and slightly recessed to prevent snagging of an appliance cord, but resorting to either using pop-ups or having nothing at all is ..... you guessed it ..... SILLY.
klarenbeek
REGISTERED
AC replacement on an apartment deck. Where do you move the disconnect to to make it code compliant? We went with move it next to the patio door to make it as close to compliant as possible without making it ridiculous.
steveray
SAWHORSE
If you go through the IEBC you likely have to do nothing….but good on you for making it better…
This arrangement scares even me. I was talking with an Edison lineman and I remarked that his occupation is extremely dangerous. He said that the only fatality of an Edison employee that he was aware of was a meter reader that touched an AC condenser with a hot case. As an inspector I have encountered dozens of installs with no case ground. They are sitting there waiting for a short to metal and you become the equipment ground path.
So while I have been lenient with the working space on a generic disconnect, I have a limit and laying on the unit to cut the power is not happening.
One of the things mentioned is working/inspecting the disconnect while the circuit is energized. Never have I gone to the panel and tripped a breaker first. Lazy maybe, or what breaker do you trip when nothing is labeled? Ya just lazy....but I lived through it. A Fluke non-contact voltage tester was used before I touched metal. The example in this picture would be a correction to move it without me touching anything.
Another thing that's mentioned here is "electrician". So the assumption is that you have them where you reside. We have people that do electrical work, One in a hundred might be an electrician.
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wwhitney
REGISTERED
If the unit has a non-removeable panel that has the necessary clearance in front it, you could mount the disconnect to the unit there. Otherwise install it on a post on the deck, either an existing one for the guardrail, or a new one just for the disconnect.
Cheers, Wayne