AC Unit Disconnect

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infinity

infinity

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Why are engineers requiring units disconnects switches when the units have disconnects built in? Is there anywhere in the NEC where this is required? I say no but I'm being told that the NEC requires that all the power to unit has to be disconnected.
 
Here is the section

440.14 Location. Disconnecting means shall be located within
sight from, and readily accessible from the air-conditioning or
refrigerating equipment. The disconnecting means shall be
permitted to be installed on or within the air-conditioning or
refrigerating equipment.
The disconnecting means shall not be located on panels that
are designed to allow access to the air-conditioning or refrigeration
equipment or to obscure the equipment nameplate(s).

Exception No. 1: Where the disconnecting means provided in accordance
with 430.102(A) is lockable in accordance with 110.25 and the
refrigerating or air-conditioning equipment is essential to an industrial
process in a facility with written safety procedures, and where the conditions
of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified
persons service the equipment, a disconnecting means within sight from
the equipment shall not be required.

Exception No. 2: Where an attachment plug and receptacle serve as the
disconnecting means in accordance with 440.13, their location shall be
accessible but shall not be required to be readily accessible.
Click to expand...
 
I agree. Not required but often you are required due to contractual obligations. It shows on the print, you gotta give it to them.
 
Boilerplate spec and they didn't even look into whether the unit already has an integral compliant disconnect?
Or not certain if specified unit will actually be what is installed and spec this just as a CYA?
 
I find that when discussing this with various people they seem to think that it is required by the NEC to have the disconnect external to the unit so that the unit is entirely de-energized when the switch is open. I'm adding this to my list of electrical industry myths.
 
It's my understanding that an integral disconnect qualifies only if it's readily accessible, requiring no tools.
 
So, you are saying a local manually operated disconnect is not required for HVAC equipment?
 
LarryFine said:
It's my understanding that an integral disconnect qualifies only if it's readily accessible, requiring no tools.
Click to expand...

This statement kind of supports your thoughts but at the same time contradicts it self.

"....readily accessible from the air-conditioning or
refrigerating equipment. The disconnecting means shall be
permitted to be installed on or within the air-conditioning or
refrigerating equipment."

If it is within the equipment how can it be "readily accessible"?
 
edward said:
Curious, is this an A/C disconnect? I suppose it is a commercial unit?
Click to expand...
This one appears to be an air handler, found on the interwebs.

It's just an example of what integral disconnects look like.

I've seen them in both residential and commercial units.
 
Most service tech like a disconnect within site at the AC for repair work. Just always done it so haven't looked for code reference, now I have to look for it, (Thanks Guys) lol
I'm told the 2020 also requires GFCI for AC units.
 
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