a/c disconnect

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citrus a&e

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can someone please tell me when the breaker supplied with a heater package for an airhandler that is visible from the outside of the unit, is not considered as a disconnect for this unit:-? . ( you do not need to remove the unit cover to access the breaker)
 
That would be the disco for the Air handler/inside unit! Not for the Condenser that is wired separately and is on the outside of the house! I only stated that since you mentioned A/C which means that you have air conditioning as well as the heating. Therefore the outside unit must have a disco by 440.15
 
citrus a&e said:
can someone please tell me when the breaker supplied with a heater package for an airhandler that is visible from the outside of the unit, is not considered as a disconnect for this unit:-? . ( you do not need to remove the unit cover to access the breaker)
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I can't, because it is.
 
His title was a/c disconnect not airhandler/heat exchanger disconnect! So how would this be the ac disconnect? I would think an ec/ac guy would know the appropriate terms? AC has nothing to do with the breakers on the furnace other then to control the fan!
 
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IMO the factory installed, listed breaker is an acceptable disconnect and pass inspections all day long where this method is used. (whether integral to the inside or outside unit!)
 
barbeer said:
IMO the factory installed, listed breaker is an acceptable disconnect and pass inspections all day long where this method is used. (whether integral to the inside or outside unit!)
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I do not agree! I have not seen an HVAC inside unit that disconnects the power to the outside condensor. I am not saying there is not one but you still cannot get by the code for the disco by the outside unit!
 
Terrynistler said:
I do not agree! I have not seen an HVAC inside unit that disconnects the power to the outside condensor. I am not saying there is not one but you still cannot get by the code for the disco by the outside unit!
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Re-read the original post and I believe that you will understand what he is saying. The OP is talking about the AHU, FCU whatever you yourself may call it - not the CU. If the AHU has a breaker integral to the unit that disconnects the circuit feeding it from the rest(heatstrips) of the internals, that IMO is an acceptable means of disconnect. Likewise for the outside unit or condenser.

On a side note look for mini split systems which are installed exactly the way you are thinking, they are all over the net!
 
You need to read article 440.14. For a residential system if both the a/h and the compressor have built in disconnects thats fine, however if the disconnects are only in the air handler then you must install a disconnect by the compressor as per 440.14. In an industrial setting it may be possible to use 1 disconnect for both units as per exception #1
 
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Terrynistler said:
His title was a/c disconnect not airhandler/heat exchanger disconnect! So how would this be the ac disconnect? I would think an ec/ac guy would know the appropriate terms? AC has nothing to do with the breakers on the furnace other then to control the fan!
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"ac disconnect" is a common term used for any 60a non-fusible disconnect, whether it be on an ac, heat, water heater, well, whatever. and he wants to know if the breakers on the air handler can be used as a disconnect for the air handler. he didn't say anything about the condenser outside.
 
Barbeer


I'll just wait and read! I have done hundreds of them and can't believe you are giving out that advice.

Other then the OP wasn't really specific and quite obviously is not a licensed and insured EC/AC guy or the title would not have been as stated!

I have 4 of them as subs and I called to check since I am not an HVAC person but since I wire them all I was pretty sure I understand whats on the market today!
 
brantmacga said:
"ac disconnect" is a common term used for any 60a non-fusible disconnect, whether it be on an ac, heat, water heater, well, whatever. and he wants to know if the breakers on the air handler can be used as a disconnect for the air handler. he didn't say anything about the condenser outside.
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There you go! I had not considered that. I hate the written word sometimes lol. We can all read what we want.... I wish the op would clarify that is what he meant.

Thanks for straightening me out.....:smile:
 
citrus a&e said:
can someone please tell me when the breaker supplied with a heater package for an airhandler that is visible from the outside of the unit, is not considered as a disconnect for this unit:-? . ( you do not need to remove the unit cover to access the breaker)
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If the breaker installed with the above mentioned unit is for the heat (sometimes it is a supplemental CB, but can be used as the disconnect), it may not disconnect all of the supply conductor to the "whole" unit, such as the fan. Then another disconnecting means would be required to disconnect the supply conductor for the unit.

I have inspected units where the heat portion is supply with 240V and the fan/other equipment is supply with 120v.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
If the breaker installed with the above mentioned unit is for the heat (sometimes it is a supplemental CB, but can be used as the disconnect), it may not disconnect all of the supply conductor to the "whole" unit, such as the fan. Then another disconnecting means would be required to disconnect the supply conductor for the unit.

I have inspected units where the heat portion is supply with 240V and the fan/other equipment is supply with 120v.
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I agree.:smile: (not that you needed me to!?)
 
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