It is truly a safety consideration for someone servicing a water heater, be they a contractor or a home owner. Here is the section that is relevant to your question. In this case, the supply circuit is 240 volts.

You should charge them double..:laughing: It depends on the inspector, if the inspector feels that disconnect switch is likely to require service or testing while energized than 110.26 applies and you would have to have it out in the open. Particular requirements for storage water heaters. You and I dont have enough information to debate over whether there was a qualifying disconnecting means or not, however, a disconnecting means is certainly required according to the NEC. It also means that it could be 5 away in the same room and not be within sight. Thanks for the help! You should reread the citation ref: shall be provided to disconnect each appliance.

"If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, Infinite. Rest in peace Black4Truck..B4T.Bob. He studied business management at Triton College. (B) Appliances Rated Over 300 Volt-Amperes or 1/8 Horsepower. Article 100 of the NEC defines within sight as being visible from the equipment up to 50. My response is " yes, it is required, there is just not any enforcement in the unincorporated areas". Come join the discussion about trade knowledge, tools, certifications, wiring, builds, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! 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. Before calling it out, carefully observe the breaker. You re-read it. Only Mr. Bushart argued the point, as he did not understand the Insight part of the requirement. Where this Code specifies that one equipment shall be in sight from, within sight from, or within sight of, and so forth, another equipment, the specified equipment is to be visible and not more than 15 m (50 ft) distant from the other. They are not required by any code that I am familiar with. Electric water heater disconnecting means is it required at the unit or within sight (visible and not more that 50 feet originally posted by: I placed a call to the inspector for her and he has not called back and it's been 3 days. A hot tub or whirpool is GFI protected, The disco I would think is for work purposes. Below is a preview of the nec. William Blake. A means shall be provided to disconnect each appliance from all ungrounded conductors in accordance with the following sections of Part III. But why? ya I don't charge my family money either ha ha. Rinnai tankless water heater beeping. Always check with your local code enforcement officials before modifying an electrical system. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Suburban Chicago native Chris Edwards, began writing for his school newspaper in 1991. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed. Status not open for further replies. Electric water heaters exceed the 300 volt-amp requirement of this section and are subject to additional requirements. The Realtor and the electrician were right? If the switch or circuit breaker is capable of being locked in the open position, it doesn't need to be within sight. 422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances. (B) Appliances Rated **Over **300 Volt-Amperes or 1/8 Horsepower. He has written self help and how to articles on photography for numerous photography websites. As already stated, the same rule that applies to disconnects at furnaces, AC condensers, dishwashers applies to water heaters. If there is no disconnecting means within sight, then the circuit breaker must be lockable. It clearly states that the service panel breaker can serve as the disconnect device. (A) Rated at Not Over 300 Volt-Amperes or 1/8 Horsepower. Code requirements must be met when installing electric water heaters. Problems With a S8610U Honeywell Controller. 99.99% of our water heaters are electric. I wanted to use that section for a hot tub once but for that it says readily accessible, in sight of, and the 5 foot rule. For some appliances, this is simply a cord that can be unplugged from an outlet. I'd just rip it out and install a gas water heater. The National Electric Code stipulates disconnect requirements for water heaters. Disconnection of permanently connected appliances. Article 422.30 of the National Electric Code requires that an electric appliance have a means to disconnect it from all ungrounded, or current-carrying, conductors. I only see the shutoff by the unit in new construction. Just one other thought, the locked in the open position provision of 422.31(B) does not apply to most dwelling A/C compressors/fan units. If there was no approved disconnecting means for the water heater, Ken was correct to call it out. You are using an out of date browser. JavaScript is disabled. Yet that same inspector would probably have no problem if it were a snap switch. For appliances rated over 300va or 1/8 hp, a switch or circuit breaker located within sight from the appliance can serve as the appliance disconnecting means. It clearly states that the service panel breaker can serve as the disconnect device. Enter Our Dog Days of Summer BBQ Giveaway Now! Electric water heater disconnecting means is it required at the unit or within sight (visible and not more that 50 feet originally posted by: There must be a disconnecting means to disconnect the ungrounded conductors from the appliance. 1" gas line, with a drip. I continue to call them out on my inspection reports, yet relators tell me the electricians say they are not required. In future I may just use a switch as you guys suggested. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed. How to Force Frigidaire Freezers Into Auto Defrost Mode, Copyright 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Lifestyle, All Rights Reserved. Ken S. I did (reread) and **I **believe you to be right. For permanently connected appliances rated over 300 volt-amperes or 1/8 hp, the branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means where the switch or circuit breaker is within sight from the appliance or is capable of being locked in the open position. P.S. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Up to at least the 1980s for permanently connected appliances of greater rating the branch-cricuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve as the dis connecting means where readily available to the user of the appliance. 1984 422-21. If the over-current device does not meet this provision, than an additional disconnect must be provided that does meet the requirement. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed. Appliances that fall under this description can be disconnected by an over-current device, such as a circuit breaker or a fuse, without any additional means of disconnection required. When someone gives one of my clients a line like that, I suggest that they request that the electrician write it down on their company letterhead and sign it with their name and license number because they want to double check with the department of licencing and regulation. sorry for the typo, I ment I don't see why an AC pull type disconnect wouldn't meet code, not why it would work. No need to worry about electrical codes. Like Brian said, sometimes they are capable of being locked out and that is acceptable. (A) Rated at Not Over 300 Volt-Amperes or 1/8 Horsepower. It doesnt say if, or when, or maybe, or sometimes. Under the current code all water heaters require that there be a disconnect within sight or have provisions to install a lock on the switch or circuit breaker. It would be incorrect to imply that all water heaters needed a disconnect. Run a nice B-vent all the way up through the roof. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside water heater, etc.) 1: Where the disconnecting means provided in accordance with 430.102(A) is capable of being locked in the open position, 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. A forum community dedicated to professional electricians, contractors, and apprentices for residential and commercial work. Where I live now the Water Heater Breaker has a Lockable Breaker as required. In fact all i found was a means of way of disconnecting the unit has to be within line of site of the water heater. The provisions for locking shall remain in place with or without the lock installed. That could be in another room. That is they have to have a disconnect if they are not within light of sight of the panel (unless the breaker is lockable). Either way the unit must have a disconnecting means or a breaker lockout. I found one at Home D for only $7.50 vs the larger landle switch type for $45. Tools for electricians, installers, maintenance & service technicians: In fact all i found was a means of way of disconnecting the unit has to be within line of site of the water heater. You re-read it. Article 424 applies to fixed electric space heating equipment. **

JavaScript is disabled. Electric water heater disconnecting means is it required at the unit or within sight (visible and not more that 50 feet originally posted by: A water heater is an appliance and falls under the requirements of article 422. A means for disconnecting an electric hot water supply system from its energy supply shall be provided in accordance with nfpa 70. For permanently connected appliances rated over 300 volt-amperes or 1/8 hp, the branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means where the switch or circuit breaker is within sight from the appliance or is capable of being locked in the open position. A means shall be provided to disconnect each appliance from all ungrounded conductors in accordance with the following sections of Part III. If an appliance is supplied by more than one source, the disconnecting means shall be grouped and identified. If you are even thirsty, you are two quarts low. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside water heater, etc.) It does say that under certain conditions the circuit breaker is permitted to serve as the disconnecting means. Start date dec 3, 2003; Even if 424.19 did apply, you're feeding this equipment from more than one source and all disconnects are required to be grouped. I am not a lic electrian but I do a lot electrical wiring nothing over 240V thou. I write it up on 80% of all water heaters. The majority of house I inspect in Riverside County CA, with electric water heaters do not have insight disconnects. Under the current code all water heaters require that there be a disconnect within sight or have provisions to install a lock on the switch or circuit breaker. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting. For permanently connected appliances rated over 300 volt-amperes or 1/8 hp, the branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means where the switch or circuit breaker is within sight from the appliance or is capable of being locked in the open position. Why not use a double pole 30 Amp rated switch? That has not always been the code. They would be covered under 440.14: 440.14 Location. Exception No. The National Electric Code addresses disconnection requirements for appliances. How do I Convert a 240V Hot Tub to a 120V? It contains two heating elements. I calculated that it needs 10awg wire as well, I don't know if that's what he has used I have only seen a picture she sent me of the install. Electric water heater disconnecting means is it required at the unit or within sight (visible and not more that 50 feet originally posted by: The disconnecting means must be capable of being locked in the open position. // Leaf Group, International Association of Certified Home Inspectors; Electric Water Heater Disconnect; August 7, 2010, "National Electrical Code 2011 (National Fire Protection Association National Electrical Code)"; National Fire Protection Association; 2010. Also, if someone is in the tub and there is a problem, the disco in not reachable from in the tub. Article 422.31(a) of the National Electric Code defines the means of disconnection for permanently connected appliances that are rated not higher than 300 volt-amps or 1/8 horsepower. 422.13(B) Appliances Rated **Over **300 Volt-Amperes or 1/8 Horsepower. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. I have builders tell me that is not required in the county for any number of things. Any thoughts? Tools for electricians, installers, maintenance & service technicians: In this case, the supply circuit is 240 volts. Particular requirements for storage water heaters. they make a 30A pull out that is a few cents cheaper:thumbsup: The inspector asked for a disconnect at the unit. Below is a preview of the nec. The guys at hd really didn't know much about typical code requirements for a. Amendments are sometimes made by localities. They are required for the same reason that an A/C condenser needs one: So that a technician can work on it without risk of being electrocuted by someone switching on the circuit breaker. A means shall be provided to simultaneously disconnect each appliance from all ungrounded conductors in accordance with the following sections of part iii. It clearly states that the service panel breaker can serve as the disconnect device. Interesting thing is if the water heaters used 4500 watt elements then you would still have to use #10 wire however you could use a 20 amp snap switch. Some earth quake straps, and your done. Dennis I know you mention 20 amp snap switch but due the water heater circuit rating IMO it pretty much contionous* so therefore it cost little more to get proper 30 amp switch instead of useing 20 amp switch it will become crispy. You talking code now? The disconnecting means shall not be located on panels that are designed to allow access to the air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment or to obscure the equipment nameplate(s). Exception No. that is serving more than one rental dwelling unit. For permanently connected appliances rated at not over 300 volt-amperes or 1/8 hp, the branch-circuit overcurrent device shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means. Rinnai tankless water heater beeping. Potential causes of the beep include; Electric water heater disconnecting means is it required at the unit or within sight (visible and not more that 50 feet away or must the circuit breaker be. Here are the four options: To remove a hot water heater, we first had to disconnect the various. The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be installed on or within the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. Potential causes of the beep include; Particular requirements for storage water heaters. 422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances. Disconnecting means shall be located within sight from and readily accessible from the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. As already stated, the same rule that applies to disconnects at furnaces, AC condensers, dishwashers applies to water heaters. The disconnecting means for a permanently connected water heater must comply with 422.31(b). So are we all agreed? Particular requirements for storage water heaters. Article 424 applies to fixed electric space heating equipment. According to the NEC an electric water heater does not require any disconnect other than a circuit breaker at the main panel or sub panel and it does not need to be insight. If an appliance is supplied by more than one source, the disconnecting means shall be grouped and identified. Below is a preview of the nec. Most electric water heaters are intended to be hard wired. Second question can it be mounted above the water heater between the hoses going in and out of the water heater? Water Heater Disconnecting Means. Either way the unit must have a disconnecting means or a breaker lockout. When OSHA wrote its lock-out/tag-out rules, they didnt grandfather existing facilities. :mrgreen: I just wanted to thank my fellow inspectors for their fine input on the Insight Disconnect for electric water heaters. that is serving more than one rental dwelling unit. At least, that is my understanding. This section covers electric water heaters that lack a cord for plugging into an outlet; it states that the over-current device can serve as the disconnecting means only if it is visible from the appliance or if the over-current device is capable of being locked in the open (off) position. Either way the unit must have a disconnecting means or a breaker lockout. I don't charge my family for work they need to have done. It is not optional. When I get a respose from a so called electrician (who is more likely a handyman), I like Mr. Evans response: When someone gives one of my clients a line like that, I suggest that they request that the electrician write it down on their company letterhead and sign it with their name and license number because they want to double check with the department of licencing and regulation. I guess I will go ahead and use the pull switch I bought at HD, sounds like it is all I need. Self taught, Edwards extensive knowledge of photography comes from years of passionate pursuit of the art. For permanently connected appliances rated at not over 300 volt-amperes or 1/8 hp, the branch-circuit overcurrent device shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means. The provision for locking or adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting means and shall remain in place with or without the lock installed. I believe the panel breaker must be in the same room for this to apply, if not you would need another disconnect located within sight of the water heater. It would be reasonable to assume that the electricians that argued with the report did not choose to apply this particular part of the code to the heaters in question. Interesting thing is if the water heaters used 4000 watt elements then you would still have to use #10 wire however you could use a 20 amp snap switch. To apply this code, one has to assume that the water heater is not within view of the service panel. The National Electric Code is a guide that localities may adopt as part of their local building codes. 422.30 General. As far as disconnecting means, the mentioned cord and plug where permitted is permitted to be the disconnecting means, or else you must have a disconnecting means withing sight of the appliance, or a lockable branch circuit device if it is not within sight of the appliance. Obviously if there was a sub-panel in view of the appliance it would not be required and I have seen a few like that, in which case I did NOT call those out. 422.30 General. That is they have to have a disconnect if they are not within light of sight of the panel (unless the breaker is lockable). Electric water heater disconnecting means is it required at the unit or within sight (visible and not more that 50 feet away or must the circuit breaker be. A permanently connected appliance is one without a cord plugged into an outlet. Where a disconnecting means is required to be lockable, it shall be capable of being locked in the open position. Whether code or not, no matter the age of the home, working on any appliance without being able to control the power source is a recognized hazard and should be called out by a home inspector IMO. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Article 422.31(b) of the National Electric Code expands on section (a) to include the requirements for permanently connected appliances that exceed 300 volt-amps and/or 1/8 horsepower. If panel with the branch circuit CB is *within sight *then it qualifies as the maintenance disconnect. Where a disconnecting means is required to be lockable, it shall be capable of being locked in the open position. In Sight From (Within Sight From, Within Sight). Interpretation of code on disconnects on water heaters.My understanding of the code on disconnects for water heater is that it is not required as long as breaker is lockable .is this correct ? This does not make this part of the code choosable as far as applicability nor does it nullify the code. Here's my question, can I install a non-fused 60amp pull out type disconnect that would typically be used on AC unit out doors. 422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances. I originally posted this and was impressed with the proffessional replies. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo.

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