A/C disconnect used as junction to feed garage

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Jeffnmoe@comcast.net

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I have recently come accross a few garage builders that have started using the outside central air disconect switch as a path to run service to new garages. I have worked in Chicago for years and this was not accepted. Does the NEC allow this?
 
Nothing wrong with using that disconnect enclosure, so long as box fill is being taken into consideration.

If they were going as far as using the A/C branch circuit to supply a feeder/BC out to the garage, it would be doubtful that the existing conductors would have the ampacity to cover the existing A/C and the new loads in the garage.
 
i wouldnt think the manufacturer would'nt support that..
they want to sell another enclosure..seeing this is a
manufacturer driven code if you know what i mean.
i would never alow it, that disconnect is for a specific
peice of equip and not a splice box. just use a lb
 
NEC 312.8 specifically allows enclosures for switches or overcurrent devices to be used as raceways and junction points as long as there is room.

If you do the calculations there is almost always room.
 
No ,they are not using the same circuits. They are pulling either underground cable or 3 seperate conductors thru the disco. It doesnt seem like good practice to pull the feed to a structure that will most likely be around for several years thru a disconect that may be removed to re-side or replace the a/c unit before the garage is removed. Seems like the contractor is only trying to keep from drilling another hole!
 
Jeffnmoe@comcast.net said:
It doesnt seem like good practice to pull the feed to a structure that will most likely be around for several years thru a disconect that may be removed to re-side or replace the a/c unit before the garage is removed.
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Good practice is different from code compliant.

The NEC sets minimum standards considered necessary for safety.

Good design, good practice, etc are up to the installer and the customer.
 
Jeffnmoe@comcast.net said:
No ,they are not using the same circuits. They are pulling either underground cable or 3 seperate conductors thru the disco. It doesnt seem like good practice to pull the feed to a structure that will most likely be around for several years thru a disconect that may be removed to re-side or replace the a/c unit before the garage is removed. Seems like the contractor is only trying to keep from drilling another hole!
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"Seems like the contractor is only trying to keep from drilling another hole!"
I don't understand what you mean by that statement. . What hole are they avoiding ?

I would of guessed that they know they are required to have a disconnect for the structure and they're just looking for the cheapest disconnect they could find. . It's not a design or quality decision, it's minimum code and dollar sign only.

Sometimes I find myself siding with the corner cutting installors. . There's only so many jobs you can bid and lose to someone bidding 2 bucks less than you before you realize that most GCs and a large percentage of homeowners are fixated with the dollar sign and quality is the farthest thing from their minds. . Or at least farthest from their minds on the front end of the job and then paramount on the back end.

The usual "act" of the GC consists of 4 basic parts.
1) Bidding
What's cheapest is their main concern followed by interest in what's cheapest and a close third consideration of what's cheapest.

2) First half of the job
"Can you work over here for 2 hours and then bounce over to there and then pick up your whole crew and move the the other side of the complex for about 45 minutes ? . And by the way, you'll need to get all of your guys off the site tomorrow while we pour concrete everywhere all at the same time and then next week we want you to come back in with 50 guys and play catchup so we can meet our target and get a bonus. . And if we miss that target, we'll have to work all the trades overtime and back charge you for their extra charges."

3) Second half of the job
"Hurry we're behind, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry ! . Why do your guys need more than 10 minutes for a lunch break ? . And Mr Inspector, can you come out and spend half a day making us a punch list and give us a final and an occupancy permit even if the punch list is longer than the job spec book ? . We'll promise to actually complete the list or at least read the list and think about doing some of the things on it."

4) Punch list time
"Why is all of this material from every contractor the cheapest crap they could find ? . These contractors are screwing me ! . I just don't understand why they all took all of these short cuts just to save a buck or two."

David
 
My least favorite quote, "The electricians are holding up the entire project." Like they don't realize our work is in almost every facet of a project, guess it's the price we pay for having such a critical part of the industry. David I'm going to post your reply at work, it's great.
 
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