Electric baseboard radiators

[JohnDS]

Hey guys,

I am a little unclear on article 424. for installing electric baseboard heaters so hopefully you guys can clear some things up. Keep in mind this scenario would be for a residential home.

It states that there shall be no receptacles installed above heaters on wall and also the circuit needs to be 125% of its load which I understand.

What I dont get is that the article states that you need a means of disconnect within sight of the heater. This is for a residential home with four apartments. Each apartment has its own service located in basement. There are two apartments on first floor and two apartments on second floor. Each apartment has four 4ft heaters, 4 homeruns total, 16 heaters in total.
My partner is telling me you do not need a disconnect within sight of and that the circuit breaker will be fine although it is in the basement.

1) Am I wrong in thinking that you do in fact need a disconnect?
2) If you do in fact need a disconnect:
Since each apartment's 4 baseboards are located in different rooms within each apartment, do you need a disconnect for each baseboard since they are not exactly with sight of eachother, or will one disconnect be fine for all four?
3) Can a thermostat be considered a disconnect means in this case?

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

 

[iwire]

See 424.20

You can use the thermostat as the disconecting means if you get one with a marked off postion.

 

[goldstar]

See 424.20

You can use the thermostat as the disconecting means if you get one with a marked off position.

Good point. I would also check the wiring diagram on the T-stat. If it's for a 240V heater some of these T-stats only break one leg to turn the heater on an off.

 

[iwire]

Good point. I would also check the wiring diagram on the T-stat. If it's for a 240V heater some of these T-stats only break one leg to turn the heater on an off.

That is true.

It is code compliant to only break one leg if using the t-stat as only a controller but if you want it to serve as the required disconnecting means as well it must open all ungrounded conductors.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Good point. I would also check the wiring diagram on the T-stat. If it's for a 240V heater some of these T-stats only break one leg to turn the heater on an off.

Just get a dp T-stat. They are regularly available here - but they are available

 

[JohnDS]

Thanks guys!

 

[kwired]

Good point. I would also check the wiring diagram on the T-stat. If it's for a 240V heater some of these T-stats only break one leg to turn the heater on an off.

Typical thermostats designed for this application do only switch one leg for control purposes but open both legs when placed in the "OFF" position. Those are suitable for the disconnecting purpose required by 424.20.