NEC 625.23: What is considered a "readily accessible" disconnect?

[Jon456]

I need to install a Wall Connector for a Tesla which is rated at 240V/80A. This will be installed on the wall in a vehicle bay (i.e., executive garage area) inside a commercial building.

According to the 2011 NEC (adopted in California), a locking disconnecting means must be installed.

625.23 Disconnecting Means
For electric vehicle supply equipment rated more than 60 amperes or more than 150 volts to ground, the disconnecting means shall be provided and installed in a readily accessible location. The disconnecting means shall be 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. Portable means for adding a lock to the switch or circuit breaker shall not be permitted.

What is not clear to me is, what is considered a "readily accessible location"? While this vehicle bay is not a showroom, for esthetic purposes I would prefer to not place a disconnect on the wall next to the charger. Does "readily accessible" mean within line-of-sight? Or can the disconnect be in another room? Also, is there a maximum distance that would still be considered "readily accessible"?

Seems like this term should be defined in Article 100.

 

[GoldDigger]

I need to install a Wall Connector for a Tesla which is rated at 240V/80A. This will be installed on the wall in a vehicle bay (i.e., executive garage area) inside a commercial building.

According to the 2011 NEC (adopted in California), a locking disconnecting means must be installed.



What is not clear to me is, what is considered a "readily accessible location"? While this vehicle bay is not a showroom, for esthetic purposes I would prefer to not place a disconnect on the wall next to the charger. Does "readily accessible" mean within line-of-sight? Or can the disconnect be in another room? Also, is there a maximum distance that would still be considered "readily accessible"?

Seems like this term should be defined in Article 100.

Readily accessible refers to not only not having to remove building finish to get to it but also not requiring moving things or using tools. There is no limit implied or expressed as to how far away it can be from the connector, which is why you can use an appropriate lockable circuit breaker as the disconnect, even if it is in another room entirely.
Now if you had to unbolt the breaker panel cover instead of just opening the door, you would not have "readily accessible" anymore.

And, BTW, it is in Article 100, you just have to translate "Readily Accessible" to "Accessible, Readily"

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.

There have been discussions about whether having it behind a locked panel cover or in a locked room makes it no longer readily accessible, and the answer tends to be that as long as "those to whom ready access is requisite" have keys, it would be OK. Pretty much limited in practice to controlled commercial or industrial premises though.

 

[dm9289]

Keep in mind for this some companies make disconnect rated receptacles that reject the plug so that would be readily accessible and better looking.

 

[dm9289]

Disco receptacle

Disco receptacle

http://www.meltric.com/?gclid=CPaS6bX49cACFQto7AodgVIANw

Check out the link

 

[Jon456]

Keep in mind for this some companies make disconnect rated receptacles that reject the plug so that would be readily accessible and better looking.

There will be no receptacle & plug. The Tesla wall connector is a self-contained electronically-controlled current limiting device and contactor, with an attached charging cord to connect to the vehicle. It looks like this:

It will be permanently wired with conduit passing through the wall behind the unit.

 

[Jon456]

Readily accessible refers to not only not having to remove building finish to get to it but also not requiring moving things or using tools. There is no limit implied or expressed as to how far away it can be from the connector, which is why you can use an appropriate lockable circuit breaker as the disconnect, even if it is in another room entirely.

Thanks GoldDigger, that was my interpretation. But when I did a search, I found some posts claiming it needed to be within line-of-sight of the wall connector. Even the Tesla tech support for charging stated the disconnect had to be within sight of the unit in order to comply with 625.23.

And, BTW, it is in Article 100, you just have to translate "Readily Accessible" to "Accessible, Readily"

Oops. Being an ex-Navy guy, I should have thought of that. :slaphead:

There have been discussions about whether having it behind a locked panel cover or in a locked room makes it no longer readily accessible, and the answer tends to be that as long as "those to whom ready access is requisite" have keys, it would be OK. Pretty much limited in practice to controlled commercial or industrial premises though.

My plan is to place it in a locked utility room. The building staff all have key-access to the room.

 

[Jon456]

So I just looked up the cost of a 240V/100A general duty safety switch: $400! (Although, that looks like a bargain in the shadow of the Tesla Wall Connector, which costs $1,200!)

In order to satisfy 625.23, could I use one of these locking frames installed on the breaker instead?: