Grease pump / trap disconnect ?

[titan1021]

I am installing power for a grease trap pump/control panel for a restaurant and the inspector is questioning my planned installation method. I am currently out of my home state on vacation and don't have my code book with me. Hoping someone can help me out.

Here's what I've got.

The pumps are located in a parking lot sump pit. The pit will contain a 750gal tank with (2) 120v pumps, and (3) 120v float switches. The control panel will be installed inside the restaurant in the electrical room. I plan to install a Christy box in the sidewalk between the sump pit and the building to splice the cords for the pumps and floats to my wiring coming from the control panel.

I had planned to either install breakers with lock-outs or a lockable disconnect ahead of the control panel beside it, in the electrical room.

The inspector is saying that he doesn't think this is permitted, he believes the disconnect has to be mounted on the exterior of the building within sight of the sump pit. It would still be an option for me to install an exterior disconnect if push comes to shove, but I'm really don't want to install an ugly disconnect on the front of this nice new building.

I would greatly appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

 

[iwire]

First some code sections

IX. Disconnecting Means

430.101 General. Part IX is intended to require disconnecting
means capable of disconnecting motors and controllers
from the circuit.

430.102 Location.
(A) Controller. An individual disconnecting means shall
be provided for each controller and shall disconnect the
controller. The disconnecting means shall be located in
sight from the controller location.

Exception No. 1: For motor circuits over 600 volts, nominal,
a controller disconnecting means capable of being
locked in the open position shall be permitted to be out of
sight of the controller, provided the controller is marked
with a warning label giving the location of the disconnecting
means.

Exception No. 2: A single disconnecting means shall be
permitted for a group of coordinated controllers that
drive several parts of a single machine or piece of apparatus.
The disconnecting means shall be located in
sight from the controllers, and both the disconnecting
means and the controllers shall be located in sight from
the machine or apparatus.

Exception No. 3: The disconnecting means shall not be
required to be in sight from valve actuator motor (VAM)
assemblies containing the controller where such a location
introduces additional or increased hazards to persons or
property and conditions (a) and (b) are met.

(a) The valve actuator motor assembly is marked with
a warning label giving the location of the disconnecting
means.

(b) 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.

So based on the above you need a disconnecting means in sight of the control panel, a locking breaker out of sight of the controller is not acceptable.

430.102(B) Motor. A disconnecting means shall be provided for a
motor in accordance with (B)(1) or (B)(2).

(1) Separate Motor Disconnect. A disconnecting means
for the motor shall be located in sight from the motor location
and the driven machinery location.

(2) Controller Disconnect. The controller disconnecting
means required in accordance with 430.102(A) shall be
permitted to serve as the disconnecting means for the
motor if it is in sight from the motor location and the
driven machinery location.

Exception to (1) and (2): The disconnecting means for the
motor shall not be required under either condition (a) or
condition (b), provided the controller disconnecting
means required in accordance with 430.102(A) is individually
capable of being locked in the open position.
The provision for locking or adding a lock to the controller
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.

(a) Where such a location of the disconnecting means
for the motor is impracticable or introduces additional or
increased hazards to persons or property

(b) In industrial installations, with written safety procedures,
where conditions of maintenance and supervision
ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment

Informational Note No. 1: Some examples of increased or
additional hazards include, but are not limited to, motors
rated in excess of 100 hp, multimotor equipment, submersible
motors, motors associated with adjustable speed drives,
and motors located in hazardous (classified) locations.

Informational Note No. 2: For information on lockout/tagout
procedures, see NFPA 70E-2009, Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace.

Based on the above, in my opinion the inspector is correct that there must be a disconnecting means in sight of the motor.

The only way around that is if it was impracticable or introduces additional or increased hazards to persons or property.

Keep in mind that 'impracticable' is not the same as 'impractical'. Impracticable basically means 'not possible'.

Definition of IMPRACTICABLE
1
: impassable <an impracticable road>
2
: not practicable : incapable of being performed or accomplished by the means employed or at command <an impracticable proposal>

In my opinion this is an AHJ call, they could wave the requirement based on the exceptions but I do not think they have to.

 

[jumper]

Nice post Bob.:thumbsup: