Water Heaters

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Matt_Vitt

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Journeyman electrician
I’m in a discussion with another electrician that works at a different branch of my company. He is in Texas and is saying that it is legal to use a cord and plug as a disconnecting means for a water heater. Is this the case? I have always used a switch and whip for water heaters and have never heard of someone using a cord and plug. TIA
 
This has come up in the past and I believe the specification of the water heater do not allow cord and plug.
 
There are water heaters that plug in (link below). Therefore, probably is nothing preventing it from having a cord + plug connection. However, unless the instruction manual indicates that you should provide a cord + plug, then it probably would not be code compliant. Most instruction manuals show a whip to a j-box or safety switch.

www.bosch-homecomfort.com

Tronic 3000T | Electric Storage Water Heaters | Water Heating Systems | Products | Residential

Point-of-Use Electric Mini-Tank Water Heaters
www.bosch-homecomfort.com www.bosch-homecomfort.com
 
One could also argue 422.16 which allows cord and plug for frequent interchanges

422.16A) General

Flexible cord shall be permitted as follows:
  • (1)
    To connect appliances to facilitate their frequent interchange or to prevent the transmission of noise or vibration.
  • (2)
    To facilitate the removal or disconnection of appliances that are fastened in place, where the fastening means and mechanical connections are specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance or repair and the appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection.
  • (3)
    All cord-and-plug-connected electrically heated appliances that produce temperatures in excess of 121°C (250°F) on surfaces with which the cord is likely to be in contact shall be provided with one of the types of heater cords listed in Table 400.4.
Click to expand...
 
Npstewart said:
There are water heaters that plug in (link below). Therefore, probably is nothing preventing it from having a cord + plug connection. However, unless the instruction manual indicates that you should provide a cord + plug, then it probably would not be code compliant. Most instruction manuals show a whip to a j-box or safety switch.

www.bosch-homecomfort.com

Tronic 3000T | Electric Storage Water Heaters | Water Heating Systems | Products | Residential

Point-of-Use Electric Mini-Tank Water Heaters
www.bosch-homecomfort.com www.bosch-homecomfort.com
Click to expand...

That is a point-of-use unit.
 
From UL174

UL 174, clause;

11.1.2 requires that a water heater shall have provision for the connection to a permanent wiring system in accordance with 11.3.1.

Exception: A small capacity storage tank water heater is not required to be permanently connected when it complies with Electrical Supply Connections – Cord Connection, Section 12.

11.3.1 A water heater shall be provided with wiring terminals or with pigtail leads for connection to the supply conductors.

Clause 5.7 defines a small capacity storage tank water heater as a water heater marked with a rated capacity within the range of 1 gallon (3.8 L) to 5 gallons (18.9 L).

Clause 48.9 states that a cord- and plug-connected water heater shall be plainly and permanently marked with the word "CAUTION " and the following or the equivalent: "Risk of Electric Shock and Fire Hazard. Do not connect to supply by extension cord".
 
augie47 said:
From UL174

UL 174, clause;

11.1.2 requires that a water heater shall have provision for the connection to a permanent wiring system in accordance with 11.3.1.

Exception: A small capacity storage tank water heater is not required to be permanently connected when it complies with Electrical Supply Connections – Cord Connection, Section 12.

11.3.1 A water heater shall be provided with wiring terminals or with pigtail leads for connection to the supply conductors.

Clause 5.7 defines a small capacity storage tank water heater as a water heater marked with a rated capacity within the range of 1 gallon (3.8 L) to 5 gallons (18.9 L).

Clause 48.9 states that a cord- and plug-connected water heater shall be plainly and permanently marked with the word "CAUTION " and the following or the equivalent: "Risk of Electric Shock and Fire Hazard. Do not connect to supply by extension cord".
Click to expand...
Good find Augie. But just to be complete, how does that get us to a NEC requirement? My inspector doesn't enforce UL174. Do I have to look for instructions that tell me I can't cord and plug it and then use 110.3?
 
electrofelon said:
Good find Augie. But just to be complete, how does that get us to a NEC requirement? My inspector doesn't enforce UL174. Do I have to look for instructions that tell me I can't cord and plug it and then use 110.3?
Click to expand...
I don't cord and plug my WHs and I'd never try it but having provision for something isn't the same as requiring.

An old school range hood can be either hardwired or cord and plug. It has provisions for hardwiring though. Same as a DW and a Range.
 
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