gfci & residental AC

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bill@usps06492

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When installing a service for central AC at a private home (residental) is it required to install a gfci in the vicinity of the unit, if there is already a gfci on the outside of the house, but it is not within sight of the AC units disconnect? 210.63 states its not required for evap coolers. Are these swamp coolers?

Bill???
 
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Try 210.63

210.63 Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Equipment Outlet.
A 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere-rated receptacle outlet shall be installed at an accessible location for the servicing of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle shall be located on the same level and within 7.5 m (25 ft) of the heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. The receptacle outlet shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment disconnecting means.
Exception: A receptacle outlet shall not be required at one- and two-family dwellings for the service of evaporative coolers.
 
210.63. There has to be a receptacle within 25 feet, but the fact that it is for the use of the A/C maintenance person is not enough to require it to be GFCI. Most likely, the receptacle will be outdoors, and that fact will bring GFCI to the party. If you have a GFCI receptacle within 25 feet that will meet the code, even if the receptacle is not within sight of the A/C equipment. The idea is to give the maintenance person some place to plug in a tool. But there is no need for that person to see the plug or the receptacle, while the work is going on.
 
This one might confuse some readers. Bill changed the question during the same minute that Mike and I answered the original question.
 
bill@usps06492 said:
210.63 states its not required for evap coolers. Are these swamp coolers?
Bill???
Click to expand...

Yes, an evaporative cooler is also known as a swamp cooler.

Interestingly, UL lists evaporative coolers as ventilation equipment, not heating, not air conditioning, not refrigeration. So in 210.63, we have an exception to a rule that doesn't exist!
 
You are in Conn., I would doubt you would have a swamp cooler in that location due to the cold weather yall have there.

You most likely would have a heat pump or gas pack unit.
 
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