A residential customer has two air handlers for cooling and heating in attic. One has a circuit breaker type disconnect built in to it. The other does not. There is no other means of disconnect in the attic. A home inspector made note of the fact that there are no disconnects in the attic to prevent power to the unit for service and replacement. What does the code require as to what point in time a means of disconnect should be installed in a situation such as this? Is an immediate upgrade required?
Air Handler Disconnects In Attic
- Thread starter sws
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: Air Handler Disconnects In Attic
Its in section 440.14 Disconnecting Location:
"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.
Exception No. 1: Where the disconnecting means provided in accordance with 430.102(A) is capable of being locked in the open position, and the refrigerating or air-conditioning equipment is essential to an industrial process in a facility where the conditions of maintenance and the 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." The disconnecting means has to be the type and size required by the HVAC equipment. Also a receptacle is required within sight for servicing.
Its in section 440.14 Disconnecting Location:
"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.
Exception No. 1: Where the disconnecting means provided in accordance with 430.102(A) is capable of being locked in the open position, and the refrigerating or air-conditioning equipment is essential to an industrial process in a facility where the conditions of maintenance and the 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." The disconnecting means has to be the type and size required by the HVAC equipment. Also a receptacle is required within sight for servicing.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: Air Handler Disconnects In Attic
If these are "air handlers" and not compressor units, then 430.102 would apply. It really doesn't matter as the rules in both 430 and 440 require local disconnects. Before someone cites the exception to 430.102(B) remember that 430.102(A) always requires a disconnect within sight of the motor controller. In most heating and ventilating equipment the controller is within the equipment.
Don
If these are "air handlers" and not compressor units, then 430.102 would apply. It really doesn't matter as the rules in both 430 and 440 require local disconnects. Before someone cites the exception to 430.102(B) remember that 430.102(A) always requires a disconnect within sight of the motor controller. In most heating and ventilating equipment the controller is within the equipment.
Don
- Status