Use of switch hook switch for disconnect switch

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cvirgil467

Senior Member
Location
NewYork
We have a electric water heater installed under a sink. The disconnect switch for the heater is installed above an accessible celing. Disconnect is at a height of 9'-0" aff. Would a hook switch be required for this installation based on NEC requirements? 2008 edition appplies in this situation.

Thanks.
c
 

cvirgil467

Senior Member
Location
NewYork
The disconnect swicth above the ceiling is lockable in the open position per 422.31. Line of sight doesn't apply. Just trying to figure out the use of the hook switch.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
The disconnect swicth above the ceiling is lockable in the open position per 422.31. Line of sight doesn't apply. Just trying to figure out the use of the hook switch.

422.31 applies to the branch circuit switch or breaker, the disconnect above the ceiling is neither of those.


422.31(B) Appliances Rated over 300 Volt-Amperes. For permanently
connected appliances rated over 300 voltamperes,
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. 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.
 

Cavie

Senior Member
Location
SW Florida
Your install is problematic because nobody would know about the disconnect in the attic. They would turn the breaker off. therefor it must be lockable.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
The disconnect swicth above the ceiling is lockable in the open position per 422.31. Line of sight doesn't apply. Just trying to figure out the use of the hook switch.

Why doesn't line of sight apply? If this switch is the origin of the branch circuit then maybe there is 110.26 problems with the location of the branch circuit overcurrent device. If just a disconnect and not the branch circuit switch then 110.26 maybe doesn't apply.
 

cvirgil467

Senior Member
Location
NewYork
The heater is labelled and states that the associated local unfused disconnect switch is located directly above in the hung ceiling. I don't believe the line of site is an issue. But we could installed a lockable breaker at the panelbaord if teh local AHJ argues.

Putting all this aside, would a hook switch be needed to operate the unfused disconnect switch in the ceiling? The switch handle is mounted above 6'-7".

Thanks.
c
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
The heater is labelled and states that the associated local unfused disconnect switch is located directly above in the hung ceiling. I don't believe the line of site is an issue. But we could installed a lockable breaker at the panelbaord if teh local AHJ argues.

Putting all this aside, would a hook switch be needed to operate the unfused disconnect switch in the ceiling? The switch handle is mounted above 6'-7".

Thanks.
c

Given those conditions and assuming the branch circuit switch or breaker is easier to access, the lock provisions of the branch circuit switch or breaker sounds to me like the smart way to install this. Your local disconnect, is questionable, but if not easy to access will likely not be used anyway even if deemed acceptable.
 
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