gas furnace requires a switch ?

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Stevenfyeager

Senior Member
Location
United States, Indiana
Occupation
electrical contractor
Customer wants me to just put a cord and plug on his renter's gas furnace and plug it into a nearby outlet. I've always (and hvac guys too) put a switch on the furnace, wired from above in conduit. NEC rules on this ? Thanks.
 
I think an appliance is supposed to be listed for cord-and-plug connection to do that.

But I've done it for someone who wanted to be able to plug it into a generator during a power outage
 
Wouldn't that be a case of using a cord in place of permanent wiring, especially since furnaces are stationary?
 
I don't think I've ever seen a residential furnace fastened in place. Just placed on the floor, with nothing more than gravity and friction as the "fastening means".

But I also haven't worked in any jurisdiction with seismic codes.
 
drcampbell said:
I don't think I've ever seen a residential furnace fastened in place. Just placed on the floor, with nothing more than gravity and friction as the "fastening means".
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How about the ductwork and gas line? There is no way that you could consider a furnace not fastened in place.

I've heard this one before. In parts of the country, it's common for the HVAC equipment to be wired with a cord and plug. I have no idea why except that it was probably wired by the HVAC installer because he didn't know any better. Ridiculous!

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
How about the ductwork and gas line? There is no way that you could consider a furnace not fastened in place. ...
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Just playing the Devil's Advocate today. Is it "fastened in place" if it's just sitting there? I honestly can't say. Potato, potatoe.

hbiss said:
... HVAC equipment to be wired with a cord and plug. I have no idea why ...
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C&P would facilitate safely using a portable standby generator without installing a formal transfer switch, and reduce the incentive for guys like my dad to cobble together a dryer cord.

A good compromise would be hard-wiring in a single-item transfer switch like one O'Deeze:
Less invasive and less costly than a whole-house transfer switch; satisfies everybody who insists on permanent hard wiring.

generator-EZ-generator-switch.jpeg
 
drcampbell said:
I have seen disposals hardwired with MC. (and probably also BX) I think it's common in Chicago, where they require metal conduit for just about everything.
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I've seen BX a bunch in 20s to 60s houses. After that, hardwired with Romex.

But rarely see a hardwired disposal from the 90s on
 
I think there is some other mechanical code or maybe IRC or IBC that requires a shutoff switch for a furnace that has to be somewhere out of the immediate vicinity of the furnace. I can't find where that requirement comes from--maybe they've done away with it or it's only for oil furnaces?
 
Electromatic said:
I think there is some other mechanical code or maybe IRC or IBC that requires a shutoff switch for a furnace that has to be somewhere out of the immediate vicinity of the furnace. I can't find where that requirement comes from--maybe they've done away with it or it's only for oil furnaces?
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No. The I-codes refer to the electrical code as far as electrical requirements are concerned.

Ron
 
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