Air conditioning disconnects (ACD) are located between a loadcentre and an air conditioner. ACDs provide a visible disconnecting means when performing maintenance and are commonly referred to as disconnects, pullouts or air conditioning switches.
Does a condensing unit need a disconnect?
Disconnects are not used for regular control of the circuit, but are employed as a safety precaution. The disconnect must be within sight from the AC unit to prevent someone who doesn’t know the technician is working on the unit from turning the power on causing unit damage or human life concerns.
What is an electrical disconnect for HVAC?
Quote from Youtube video: Could be a switch a breaker and technically a plug in cord. The main objective is to stop the flow of power. You need this when installing or servicing any piece of electrical equipment disconnects.
Can you mount a disconnect on a condenser?
The disconnect is required to be within sight and readily accessible, according to the National Electrical Code (NEC 440.14). It can be mounted directly on the equipment, but cannot obscure the nameplate or be located on a panel designed for service access.
How far does a disconnect have to be from a condenser?
This distance is typically described as within 50 feet (15 meters), and in practice at most residential properties the disconnect is much closer (3-6 ft), on a wall or standard near the compressor/condenser unit.
Where are electrical disconnects required?
This code states that any large and permanently-wired equipment must have a disconnecting means within sight distance. This applies to your HVAC unit, your attic exhaust fans, and other major household equipment. In addition, the NEC states that this disconnecting means must be a device included on their list.
Where must a disconnect for an air conditioner be located?
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.
What height does a disconnect need to be?
61/2 feet
The minimum working space height required for the disconnect switch is 61/2 feet (see Figure 6). The minimum working space height for electrical equipment has not always been 61/2 feet. For many years, the working space height (or headroom) was required to be at least 61/4 feet (or 6 feet, 3 inches).
How high can an electrical disconnect be mounted?
6 feet 7 inches
All switches and circuit breakers must be installed so the center of the grip of the operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker, when in its highest position, isn’t more than 6 feet 7 inches above the floor or working platform.
How far can a disconnect be from equipment?
The disconnect that is provided to meet the requirements of 430.102(A) can also serve as the disconnect for the motor if it is located within sight from and not at a distance greater than 15 m (50 ft) from the motor and equipment.
What is code for electrical disconnects?
The 2020 NEC requires an exterior emergency disconnect for one- and two-family dwelling units.
What is the 6 disconnect rule?
The rule is six disconnecting means for each service, not six service disconnecting means per building. If the building has two services, you can have a total of 12 service disconnects (six disconnects per service).
What appliances need A disconnect?
Small motorized appliances such as a ceiling fan or a gas tankless water heater formerly required a disconnect device, but it was not required to be within sight of the appliance. The disconnect could be a switch or the branch-circuit overcorrect device (circuit breaker).
Is a service disconnect required?
Per 2020 NEC section 230.70, a service disconnect is required to be installed for a building on the exterior of the building or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.
When should you use a disconnect switch?
In industrial applications disconnect switches may be used to interrupt power to machinery and motors when there is a safety hazard or when repair is needed. In fact, disconnect switches are mandated by the National Electrical Code (NEC) to be used in all industrial and manufacturing facilities.
Is a main disconnect required?
Every service requires a main disconnect. This disconnect is typically a single circuit breaker, but might also be a fuse block that pulls out. This disconnect need not consist of a single breaker, however. Section 230.71(A) of the NEC allows for up to six main disconnects grouped together or in a common enclosure.
Can a breaker be used as a disconnect?
422.31(B), “For permanently connected appliances rated over 300VA, 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.”
Can you have two main disconnects?
The Six Disconnect Rule: The 2020 NEC revision has major impacts on electrical installations. Sometime between the 1925 and 1933 National Electrical Codes , the maximum number of service disconnects changed from one or two disconnects to a maximum of six.
