heat pump

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jap2525

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A heat and air contractor was debating the need for a disconnect I had figured in on my bid.The heat pump will be installed in the crawl space under the house,with 15kw heat strips,240v 1ph.80 amp feeder,fuses only no disconnecting means,no on off switch.I figured a nofuse disconnect near the unit,He would like me to buy a cheap breaker lockoff for the panel which is out of sight in the utility room.I have never agreed that a breaker lockoff that wasn't permanantly installed serves as a disconnect.(that is just my opinion)Those little red fast attach breaker lockoff's to me are a joke.Can someone give me a code reference to allow the breaker lockoff instead of the disconnect? and if so does the lockoff have to be permanantly attached?
 
Re: heat pump

422.31(B) "the circuit breaker shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means where the circuit breaker is capable of being locked in the open position". If I were working on the equipment I would want to be able to see the disco. and know that it is off and remains off. Plus if you dont have a padlock on hand then what? I also think breaker lock out devices are a joke. I have been on several jobs where someone will actually cut the lock and re-energize the circuit.
 
Re: heat pump

Silveromex, Let's get out of Art.422 which is for appliances and go to Art.440 which is for Air Conditioning.Try Art.440-11 and go from there.
 
Re: heat pump

440.14 insists there be a disconect within sight.One jurisdiction here wanta a disc. adjacent to the AHU go 30 miles non required
 
Re: heat pump

Originally posted by benaround:
Silveromex, Let's get out of Art.422 which is for appliances and go to Art.440 which is for Air Conditioning.Try Art.440-11 and go from there.
Yeah, I made a mistake there. Im still learning where certain things are in the code. It helps me to read someones question and then try to find the answer in the code book. In the future I will not post what I beleive to be the answer to the persons question. I will leave that to the code experts as I don't want to confuse anyone. From now on I will only be an observer. ;)
 
Re: heat pump

silverromex IMO there are very few code experts.

There are members here that are on Code Making Panels that do not consider themselves code experts.

I would say our host Mike Holt is a code expert but it is going to be a slow and boring forum if we wait for code experts to answer questions.

Jump in with both feet, if you make a mistake it is no big deal. :)

JMO, Bob
 
Re: heat pump

With both feet in have big shoulders to fade the heat.these guys like to load it up but thats ok.That`s why we come back.Keeps us sharp ;)
 
Re: heat pump

OK guys, I am a recognized "expert" on the Code and am on Code Making Panel 10. What does that really say about me? I am aware of what I do not know about the Code . . . which is a lot. There is more that I don't know than what I do know. I have been in the industry for quite a while and have opinions. I know what needs to be done to look out for the interests of my industry (electric utilities) and our positions.

The upshot is that there are no persons that know and understand the whole Code . . . period. Most of have a good understanding of the parts that pertain to us. Please do not ever think that an "expert" has anything on you. Most of the experts have migrated to administrative or teaching type jobs. You are the ones in the trenches fixing other's mistakes, trouble shooting, building electrical systems, and making business work.

The biggest reason I am here is to hear your opinions. When I am in the panel meetings, what you have said on this forum will affect my views. Please do not feel like your opinions do not matter because someone else knows a particular Code reference. Additionally, if you make a mistake here, it will be pointed out to you and you will learn. Trust me, that has happened to me a lot because there are a lot of "experts" here.
 
Re: heat pump

JAP22525
Is the heatpump a single unit or split system, and does the crawl space provide adequate air circulation headroom? If single unit, provisions for separate compressor and staged heat elements disconnects are needed. Split system air handler-exchanger units usually have built-in breakers.
 
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