Disconnecting Means

[Ern740]

New inspector here in the state of WV just curious on a couple of things. We have adapted the 2020 NEC. My first question is, does a new service on a commercial building require the outside emergency disconnect? My other question is that the code states for the emergency disconnect for one- and two- family dwellings, well in my town we have plenty of large houses that are considered multi family dwelling units, 3 and 4 family homes. Are these multi family dwelling units required to have an outside disconnect? Thanks

 

[charlie b]

For starters, it's not an "emergency disconnect." It's not there to allow someone to quickly turn off power. Rather, its role is to allow all power to the building to be removed, in order to establish a safe electrical environment.

I don't know whether WV has it's own electrical code. The NEC rules say that there must be a device that will disconnect all power, and that that device must be either outside the building or inside nearest to the point at which power enters the building. The NEC does not give a specific maximum distance (i,e., the meaning of "nearest"), but some states do establish a limit.

 

[Ern740]

For starters, it's not an "emergency disconnect." It's not there to allow someone to quickly turn off power. Rather, its role is to allow all power to the building to be removed, in order to establish a safe electrical environment.

I don't know whether WV has it's own electrical code. The NEC rules say that there must be a device that will disconnect all power, and that that device must be either outside the building or inside nearest to the point at which power enters the building. The NEC does not give a specific maximum distance (i,e., the meaning of "nearest"), but some states do establish a limit.

I was referring to 230.85 Emergency Disconnects with my question

 

[acrwc10]

Sec. 230.70(A)(1) "Readily accessible location, inside or outside the building".
My 2 cents on this is the fire department does (should be) regular inspections of commercial sites and not single family homes.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

For starters, it's not an "emergency disconnect." It's not there to allow someone to quickly turn off power. Rather, its role is to allow all power to the building to be removed, in order to establish a safe electrical environment.

I don't know whether WV has it's own electrical code. The NEC rules say that there must be a device that will disconnect all power, and that that device must be either outside the building or inside nearest to the point at which power enters the building. The NEC does not give a specific maximum distance (i,e., the meaning of "nearest"), but some states do establish a limit.

The code says otherwise in 225. 41 and 230.85 for one and two family dwellings.

225.41 Emergency Disconnects.
For one-and two-family dwelling units, an emergency disconnecting means shall be installed.

230.85 Emergency Disconnects.
For one- and two-family dwelling units, an emergency disconnecting means shall be installed.

For these applications its role is to permit the first responders to easily remove power from the inside of one and two family dwellings. It is very definitively there to allow the power to be quickly and safely turned off.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

New inspector here in the state of WV just curious on a couple of things. We have adapted the 2020 NEC. My first question is, does a new service on a commercial building require the outside emergency disconnect? My other question is that the code states for the emergency disconnect for one- and two- family dwellings, well in my town we have plenty of large houses that are considered multi family dwelling units, 3 and 4 family homes. Are these multi family dwelling units required to have an outside disconnect? Thanks

There is no requirement in the NEC for an outside disconnect for other than one or two family dwellings in the NEC. So no requirement for an outside disconnect for commercial or multifamily dwellings in the 2020 or 2023 NEC.

This may change in the future as there are Public Inputs for the 2026 code that would expand the "emergency disconnect" rules to all occupancies.

As a former firefigher, I see a greater need for an outside disconnect at a commercial occupancy than I do at a one or two family dwelling. However, it would be a big step to require this for all occupancies, and expect that the PI will be "resolved" (rejected).