dfairbank
Member
- Location
- United States
Does the disconnect need to be within site from the tap location or can it be remotely mounted?
Feeder Taps
- Thread starter dfairbank
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Massachusetts
It is not required to be within sight but the length limitations will generally force it to be.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
The definition of "within sight" requires you to be able to actually see the item. In this case, as Bob points out, the Tap Rule's distance limits will influence the ability to see the item. However, there can be a wall between the two items, and if the length of the conductor is within the limit, the overcurrent device (it is not just a "disconnect") will no longer be within sight of the tap location. That is not a violation.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
When using the provision allowing for outdoor taps of unlimited length, they will not be within sight, unless your tap makes several circles or goes out and back to a location that is within sight.
Another good example that maybe is pretty common would be a feeder tap originating on outside of a building and the overcurrent device it supplies on the inside.
Another good example that maybe is pretty common would be a feeder tap originating on outside of a building and the overcurrent device it supplies on the inside.
dfairbank
Member
- Location
- United States
Well I understand all, am well within all applicable codes but this AHJ is telling me that I need a disconnect "within site" guess I gotta listen...
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Choose your battles well. 
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Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Ask for a code reference.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
I dont believe there is any requirement for a disconnect.
Not specifically a disconnect but Tap conductors must terminate into an OCPD which in turn will act like a disconnect.
Question to the OP. In sight from what? You mean the OCPD has to be within sight of where the tap is made? So another words you have to be able to see the tap and the OCPD at the samem time?
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
We just need to be clear to avoid any confusion to the OP. A disconnect is not an OCPD, and a OCPD probably is but may not be a disconnect. Also feeder taps do not necessarily have to terminate on a OCPD.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Sure looks to me like disconnect (likely containing OCP) and "within sight" of tap location are the conditions being asked about in the OP.
There is no such requirement. It is fairly common for them to both be within sight but not a requirement.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
Does the feeder tap serve a separate structure, such as a shed? That would require that a disconnect be provided as the means of turning off power to the structure. But even so, that disconnect need not be within sight of the tap point.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
Or perhaps provide a link to this thread. :happyyes:
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
dfairbank
Member
- Location
- United States
OK here are the details;
PV system, tap in the MSP and then immediately outside to a fused knife swicth with no equipment located indoors.
PV system, tap in the MSP and then immediately outside to a fused knife swicth with no equipment located indoors.
Again, not required by the NEC. However, some POCO's require a line-side-tapped PV system disconnect to be adjacent to the service disconnect.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Hold on: is this a feeder tap or a service conductor tap?
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Now that a little more information has been given, that is a fair question, and changes the discussion if it is a tap to a service conductor.
- Status