404.8 Switches - disconnect high on wall?

[Dark Sparky]

An owner wants to install a disconnect for some HVAC equipment - high up on a wall (perhaps 12+ feet). It is unclear whether this disconnect may be accessible from the HVAC equipment's platform.

1) If accessible from the platform, I assume NEC 2020 404.8, Exception 2 applies ("Switches and circuit breakers installed adjacent to motors, appliances, or other equipment that they supply shall be permitted to be located higher than 2.0m (6' 7") and to be accessible by portable means."). (In this case, portable means would not even be required.) Correct that this would be permissible?

2) If not accessible from the platform (in other words, if the disconnect's position on the wall is too far away from the platform to reach), does 404.8 Exception 3 apply? Exception 3 reads: "Hookstick operable isolating switches shall be permitted at greater heights." I am not certain how long the hooksticks practically can be (it seems a 10' hookstick for example, might invite AHJ commentary?). Also - I am not certain I understand the intent of the NEC definition of an isolating switch: "A switch intended for isolating and electrical circuit from the source of power. It has no interrupting rating, and it is intended to be operated only after the circuit has been opened by some other means." Is that definition intended to include simple non-fusible disconnects like we have here?

Thanks in advance - love the interaction on this forum!

 

[infinity]

The switch can be located adjacent to the equipment even if that equipment requires portable means such as a ladder to access it.

 

[augie47]

I don't disagree with Rob but logically it would seem that if you can't reach it from the platform you would be better served with it at the 6'7" level.

 

[Dark Sparky]

Update: It can be reached from the platform - with a maximum of a 30" reach. Thoughts?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Update: It can be reached from the platform - with a maximum of a 30" reach. Thoughts?

I have a thought- something new to me- If the platform has room for a ladder than I believe you are okay with being higher than 6'7" but I don't believe that is the intent. I think they were thinking if the unit was up high as in a ceiling then the disconnect is allowed to be higher than 6'7" however if the disconnect is higher than 6'7" from the platform than IMO that is an issue especially if no ladder is able to be installed on the platform.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Here is the 2020 Nec section

404.8(A) Location.

All switches and circuit breakers used as switches shall be located so that they may be operated from a readily accessible place. They shall be installed such that the center of the grip of the operating handle of the switch or circuit breaker, when in its highest position, is not more than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) above the floor or working platform.
Exception No. 1:
On busway installations, fused switches and circuit breakers shall be permitted to be located at the same level as the busway. Suitable means shall be provided to operate the handle of the device from the floor.
Exception No. 2:
Switches and circuit breakers installed adjacent to motors, appliances, or other equipment that they supply shall be permitted to be located higher than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in.) and to be accessible by portable means.
Exception No. 3:
Hookstick operable isolating switches shall be permitted at greater heights.

 

[Dark Sparky]

I have a thought- something new to me- If the platform has room for a ladder than I believe you are okay with being higher than 6'7" but I don't believe that is the intent. I think they were thinking if the unit was up high as in a ceiling then the disconnect is allowed to be higher than 6'7" however if the disconnect is higher than 6'7" from the platform than IMO that is an issue especially if no ladder is able to be installed on the platform.

Appreciate all of that input. So the HVAC unit is on a platform. The platform is raised off the main floor - say 10-12'. The platform has a railing around it. Someone standing on the platform could reach over to the disconnect - at most reaching 30" (across a "gap" of 30") - to operate the disconnect. The disconnect is high above the main floor (say 10' platform + 48", about 14' above the main floor). But compared to the platform height, the disconnect is just above the top of the railing. Hopefully that clarifies it.

I suppose my question has become more about the disconnect being across a 30" gap - rather than it's height. It somewhat now fits Exception 2 - it's higher than 6' 7" and is adjacent to motors, without needing portable means to access it. But that 30" gap - is that acceptable?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I don't think there is a clear answer to this in the NEC. If the disconnect has fuses and one can actually work on the disconnect from the platform then, IMO you are okay however, this will be an authority having jurisdiction call.

 

[wwhitney]

One issue I have with the way the NEC is written is that some portions read like this:

Requirement A must be met and parameter B shall be not less than B₀.
Exception. If Requirement C is met, parameter B shall be permitted to be not less than B₁ (which is less than B₀).

Then if requirement C is met, is requirement A still necessary? My logical reading is "no," the exception replaces the entire proceeding text. Sometime it appears the text intends that requirement A still has to be met, and often people read an exception that way.

So having said that, for Exception 2 to 404.8(A), I would say as soon as a switch or circuit breaker is "installed adjacent to motors, appliances, or other equipment" that it supplies, 404.8(A) is satisfied.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[LarryFine]

It sounds adjacent enough to me.

 

[Dark Sparky]

Thanks, guys. Really appreciate all your input!