Disconnect Question

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GerryB

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Location
woodbridge, ct. USA
A 480 volt chiller motor. The drawings show a 600 amp disconnect installed outside the unit. The unit has a disconnect inside accessible by removing an access panel. The engineer is asking if that inside disco is sufficient citing 440.14. I say no because there are live exposed conductors inside when the access is removed. Anyone have a thought or section to support that?
 
The NEC would only require the integral disconnect that is in the unit as a disconnecting means.
 
From a Code standpoint I thing this would be pertinent:
440.14 Location. Disconnecting means shall be located within sight from, and readily accessible from the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to take actions such as to use tools (other than keys), to climb over or under, to remove obstacles, or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth
 
440.14 “ Readily Accessible “ Removing a panel would not meet this requirement.
 
Funny because a motor does not have the readily accessible requirement. So is this an Article 440 installation or Article 430?
 
It is two chillers actually for AC in a large office type setting, high ceiling exposed ductwork, etc. Art 440.14 has an exception for the disconnect being locked out (the circuit breaker could be locked out), written safety procedures and only qualified persons servicing the equipment, so that is probably what they are looking at.
 
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