A/C service outlet

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Praedatus1

Praedatus1

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Portland, Oregon
Maybe one of you guys can tell me the reason for an a/c service outlet on the outside of a residential home. Maybe someone can name a SINGLE tool or piece of equipment that needs to plug into a service plug, besides, of course, the dryer pump which is used ONCE.

Hmmmmm...I couldn't think of any either.
 
Hey, I do a/c service too, and that outlet gets used pretty hard during servicing. Even annual PM, to plug in a little pressure washer.
 
Praedatus1 said:
Maybe one of you guys can tell me the reason for an a/c service outlet on the outside of a residential home. Maybe someone can name a SINGLE tool or piece of equipment that needs to plug into a service plug, besides, of course, the dryer pump which is used ONCE.

Hmmmmm...I couldn't think of any either.
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Battery charger, radio, cell phone.
 
almost ALL of the a/c's I hook up are in the backyard corner of the house, and the service plug is in addition to at least 3 other outside outlets around the house. I just think this code is silly, and who only carries or uses 25' extension cords anymore? All mine are at least 50.
 
Feel free to put in a code change proposal. I think you have a couple weeks before the deadline to get it considered for the 2011 NEC.
 
Praedatus1 said:
almost ALL of the a/c's I hook up are in the backyard corner of the house, and the service plug is in addition to at least 3 other outside outlets around the house. I just think this code is silly, and who only carries or uses 25' extension cords anymore? All mine are at least 50.
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Not every house gets 50 outside receptacles, the required receptacle makes sense to me. its serviceable equipment. Besides all that, its just one more thing you actually get to charge out and make money on, why the fuss?
 
Praedatus1 said:
Maybe one of you guys can tell me the reason for an a/c service outlet on the outside of a residential home.
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I can't tell you the reason, but I've been over it for a long time.

:smile:
 
no fuss, just irritating. every remodel we do gets an a/c, and with every a/c comes a service plug. I just think its redundant, I have never seen anyone actually use the service plug except the homeowner, who does NOT use it for a "service plug" for the a/c, which is the "code" reason for installing. It ends up getting christmas lights, or something. I can understand the service plug in an attic, or crawl, but when does service on a condenser unit need an outlet?
 
Praedatus1 said:
no fuss, just irritating. every remodel we do gets an a/c, and with every a/c comes a service plug. I just think its redundant, I have never seen anyone actually use the service plug except the homeowner, who does NOT use it for a "service plug" for the a/c, which is the "code" reason for installing. It ends up getting christmas lights, or something. I can understand the service plug in an attic, or crawl, but when does service on a condenser unit need an outlet?
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So you hate making money? I'm just not getting your point of selling something thats actually required by code?
 
Battery charger for the cordless tools we all use. :smile:

Homeowner.....weed eater


A/C related.....evacuation pump?
 
Praedatus1 said:
Maybe one of you guys can tell me the reason for an a/c service outlet on the outside of a residential home. Maybe someone can name a SINGLE tool or piece of equipment that needs to plug into a service plug, besides, of course, the dryer pump which is used ONCE.

Hmmmmm...I couldn't think of any either.
Click to expand...

Who cares, it is electrical work and thats how we make our money, charge for it, mark it up and install it.
 
frizbeedog said:
I can't tell you the reason, but I've been over it for a long time.

:smile:
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Here is one good reason.

From the 08 NECHB

Section 210.63 is intended to prevent makeshift methods of obtaining 125-volt power for servicing and troubleshooting heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HACR) equipment. The reference to 210.8 in the fine print note to 210.63 reminds the Code user of the GFCI requirements for these receptacle outlets. The requirements in 210.52(E) for outdoor dwelling unit receptacles located within 25 ft of HACR equipment meet the requirements of 210.63.
The requirements of 210.63 were expanded in the 2002 Code to improve worker safety. As a result, a receptacle outlet is required for troubleshooting HACR equipment at grade-accessible outdoor equipment and at rooftop units associated with one- and two-family dwelling units. An exception added in the 2005 Code exempts evaporative coolers (commonly referred to as ?swamp coolers?) from the receptacle requirement where the cooler is installed at a one- or two-family dwelling. It should be noted that although this type of cooling equipment is exempt from 210.63, one- and two-family dwellings are required to have outdoor receptacle outlets at the front and the back of the structure in accordance with 210.52(E).
Click to expand...
 
Praedatus1 said:
no fuss, just irritating. every remodel we do gets an a/c, and with every a/c comes a service plug. I just think its redundant....
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Ya know...any exterior outlet [same level, yadi yadi yadi] within 25' will do - you don't always have to add one.

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