Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
What is the highest i can make the pull out ? This is a typical 60 amp cheap pullout disconnect for my outside unit. I am thinking it is 6 foot 6 inches.
HEIGHT of an AC DISCONNECT pull out
- Thread starter Jim W in Tampa
- Start date
- Status
masterinbama
Senior Member
- Location
- Huntsville Alabama
I believe you are correct. Going from my ever failing memory.
The best references I could think of would be 404.8 & 240.24 which provide for a 6 FT 7 maximum. (above floor or working platform), however 404.8 has an exception if the equipment is located above that height.
kacper
Member
- Location
- Islamorada
240.24 Location in or on Premises.
(A) Accessibility. Overcurrent devices shall be readily accessible
and shall be installed so that the center of the grip
of the operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker,when in its highest position, is not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.)
above the floor or working platform,
(A) Accessibility. Overcurrent devices shall be readily accessible
and shall be installed so that the center of the grip
of the operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker,when in its highest position, is not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.)
above the floor or working platform,
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
Thanks, wanted to be sure. It is only place i have available and still meet 110.26. As is i will need to add 3 inches of dirt or gravel.
masterinbama
Senior Member
- Location
- Huntsville Alabama
I allowed the extra 1" for future erosion 
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
If this is the required means of disconnecting an HVAC component within sight of the equipment, then it is not an "overcurrent device." So 240.24 will not apply. Also, this is not a "switch," so 404.8 does not apply.
So I turn to 440.14. The disconnecting means must be "within sight from and readily accessible from" the A/C equipment. The definition of "within sight of" requires an item to be within 50 feet. The definition of "readily accessible" only requires that it be reachable without removing obstacles or using a portable ladder. So as long as the disconnecting means is no more than 50 feet up the wall, as as long as you can get to it without a ladder, you are good to go.
So I turn to 440.14. The disconnecting means must be "within sight from and readily accessible from" the A/C equipment. The definition of "within sight of" requires an item to be within 50 feet. The definition of "readily accessible" only requires that it be reachable without removing obstacles or using a portable ladder. So as long as the disconnecting means is no more than 50 feet up the wall, as as long as you can get to it without a ladder, you are good to go.
mcclary's electrical
Senior Member
- Location
- VA
I think he means a pullout, not OCPD, so this does not apply. The disconnect can be anywhere from 1" off the ground, or 50 feet above unit(within sight), if accesible.
stew
Senior Member
- Location
- federal way,washington
fusible pullout or non fusible?
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Actually the disconnecting means is required to be readily accessible not just accessible.
That means that you can't resort to using a ladder to reach the disconnecting means from the A/C unit location.
Chris
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
non fuse, it is the $8 cheapy at HD. Location is directly above the unit and will meet 110.26 my biggest concern is if it being a pull out rather than a breaker if it changes anything. I can easily reach it as i am 6-0 but i try to make all my work to be to code so no problem if i ever sell it.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
The fact that it is not a breaker eliminates the 6 foot 7 inch requirement. If a person shorter than yourself can stand on the AC unit itself and reach the disconnect, I would say that even that would meet code. The AC unit would not be an "obstacle," and the person would not have to resort to a temporary ladder, so it passes as "readily accessible" in my book.
charlieb, I stand corrected on my Code references and thank you for your knowlegable answer.
elohr46
Senior Member
- Location
- square one
I have to disagree, without seeing the actual unit it may be tall enough that a person would have to climb over it making it not "readily accessible" by definition, it could in itself be an obstacle.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
But if it is possible to stand on the unit, and if it is not necessary to climb over it, then it may still fit the definition of "readily accessible." Without a photo, it is not possible to say for certain.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
dcspector
Senior Member
- Location
- Burke, Virginia
It's not?
What is a 'switch'?
To me the pull out is a switch.
I agree it is a switch. 404.8 and 440.14 is met
dcspector
Senior Member
- Location
- Burke, Virginia
Pierre I hope so......
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
I have to agree with Bob on this Charlie.
A common AC disconnect pullout has the same contact making mechanism (a blade between one or two wiping contacts) as the ancient "knife switch".
In the application of the AC disconnect, the pullout is a simple Controller that, when operated, serves to govern, in a predetermined manner, the electric power delivered to the AC. That is, upon operation, the power is turned off.
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