Fan Coil Unit

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jumathum

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I have an apartment building with each unit having its own load center located within the unit. The units each have a Fan Coil Unit installed recessed in the closet ceiling. These were all wired with a dedicated 20A,
208V circuit, hard wired directly to the unit. The breaker is located no more than five steps from the unit but is not within sight. In Art. 424.19 (A) (2)
(2) it states that the disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the open position. The circuit breaker is capable of being locked in the off position. Could this serve as my disconnecting means?
 
jumathum said:
I have an apartment building with each unit having its own load center located within the unit. The units each have a Fan Coil Unit installed recessed in the closet ceiling. These were all wired with a dedicated 20A,
208V circuit, hard wired directly to the unit. The breaker is located no more than five steps from the unit but is not within sight. In Art. 424.19 (A) (2)
(2) it states that the disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the open position. The circuit breaker is capable of being locked in the off position. Could this serve as my disconnecting means?
Click to expand...


I would think it would work but I have heard that some inspectors want a lock installed in the panel before they will accept it. I would check with the AHJ but it should fly.
 
the interpretation that I have heard is that a lock on the panel door is not good enough.

but you CAN buy a breaker locking clip that snaps on the breaker, behind the dead front and allows a small padlock to be installed, locking the breaker in the 'OFF' position.
my contact with IAEI says that is sufficient to use a breaker as a disconnect.

look here, the ones i have seen look similar
http://www.galesburgelectric.com/store/files/images/large/d_5867.jpg
 
Art. 424.19 (A) (2)
(2) it states that the disconnecting means shall be capable of being locked in the open position. The circuit breaker is capable of being locked in the off position. Could this serve as my disconnecting means?
Click to expand...

Open = off, so ......yes.

I don't know how the discussion got to panel covers so quickly :rolleyes:
 
he didnt say anything about breaker locks, which have to be added, and I have seen many people try to use the fact that the panel could be locked as meeting the requirements.

(the breaker is in the panel, the panel door can be locked. thus : if we move the breaker to the open position and close the panel door, then lock it, the breaker is "locked in the open position)

besides, I wasnt the first to respond from the standpoint of panel door being locked.

so stop quoting me ;)
 
and I was winking

breaker locks are an awesome way to go, as far as saving money in material, and labor.

I tried to get our local inspector to ok us using them on all new construction

(to avoid disconnects at water heaters, air handling units in the attic, cords on dishwashers and disposals)

but he said he wasnt going to allow us to do it "just to save money" were his exact words.

o well... i dont do residential anymore, and when i do, it doesnt get inspected, so I do it my way and install breaker locks instead of disconnects
 
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