HEIGHT of an AC DISCONNECT pull out

[iwire]

Some people (Al claims to be one) may choose to turn off a running AC unit by pulling out the pullout. But I think that is bad idea, and an inappropriate use of the component.

It looks like UL lists these to be used as a controller.

SWITCHES (WFXV)​

PULLOUT SWITCHES, DETACHABLE TYPE
(WGEU)​

USE AND INSTALLATION​

This category covers switches having detachable pullout heads, with or
without fuseholders, for cartridge fuses. These switches may be enclosed or
nonenclosed.
Nonenclosed switches are intended for use in other assemblies, such as
panelboards, service equipment, or the like.
Enclosed pullout switches may contain meter sockets and/or neutral
assemblies and contain more than one independent switch without connection
between switches.
Some enclosed pullout switches incorporate neutrals that are factory
bonded to the enclosure. Such switches are marked ??Suitable Only for Use
as Service Equipment.??
Enclosed pullout switches marked for use as service equipment may also
be used to provide the main control and means of cutoff for a separately
derived system or for a second building.
Class CTL pullout switches have the physical size, configuration or other
means which, in conjunction with the physical means provided in a Class
CTL assembly, are designed to prevent the installation of more switch poles
than that number for which the assembly is designed and rated.
Class CTL pullout switches may be identified by the words ??Class CTL??
or ??CTL?? on the switch as part of the marking.
Enclosed pullout switches that are rain-tight or rainproof are marked
accordingly.
These pullout switches are intended for use with copper conductors
unless marked to indicate that certain terminals are suitable for use with
aluminum conductors. Such markings are independent of any marking on
the terminal connectors and appear on a wiring diagram or other readily
visible location.
Unless a switch is marked to indicate otherwise, the termination provisions
are based on the use of 60?C ampacities for wire sizes 14 ? 1 AWG,
and 75?C ampacities for wire sizes 1/0 AWG and larger as specified in Table
310.16 of ANSI/NFPA 70, ??National Electrical Code.?? Termination provisions
are determined based on values provided in Table 310.16, with no
adjustment made for correction factors.​

RATINGS​

Ratings of enclosed or nonenclosed pullout switches are limited to 600 V​

or less, 400 A or less.

Switches without fuseholders (unfused) have been tested to determine
their acceptability for continuous operation at their marked rated load.
Fused pullout switches are marked ??Continuous load current not to
exceed 80 percent of the rating of fuses employed in other than motor
circuits.??
Pullout switches with horsepower ratings in addition to amp ratings are
suitable for use in motor circuits as well as for general use. Pullout
switches with amp ratings only are suitable for general use only.
Pullout switches rated higher than 100 hp are restricted to use as motor
disconnecting means and are not intended for use as motor controllers.
Motor-circuit pullout switches are intended for use only in motor circuits
and are marked ??Motor-Circuit Pullout Switch.??
Horsepower ratings are associated with particular voltages and number
of phases. A horsepower-rated switch is not intended for use with motors
on circuits having voltages or number of phases different from that
shown on the marking.
Some pullout switches have dual horsepower ratings, the larger of
which is based on the use of fuses with time delay appropriate for the
starting characteristics of the motor. Switches with such horsepower ratings
are marked to indicate this limitation and are tested at the larger of
the two ratings.
Switches marked ??Suitable For Use On A Circuit Capable of Delivering
Not More Than ___ Amps, RMS, Symmetrical, ___ Volts Maximum: Use
Class ___ Fuses Having An Interrupting Rating Of No Less Than The
Maximum Available Short-Circuit Current Of The Circuit,?? have been
investigated for the additional rating indicated.
Some enclosed pullout switches are suitable for use as service switches.
Such switches are marked ??Suitable For Use As Service Equipment.??
Enclosed pullout switches with the neutral bonded to the frame or enclosure
at the factory are marked ??Suitable Only for Use as Service Equipment.??​

RELATED PRODUCTS​

Products with similar uses are covered under Switches, Enclosed
(WIAX), Motor Controllers, Manual (NLRV), Switches, Dead-front
(WHXS) and Switches, Open Type (WHTY).​

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION​

For additional information, see Electrical Equipment for Use in Ordinary
Locations (AALZ).​

REQUIREMENTS​

The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is
ANSI/UL 1429, ??Pullout Switches.??​

UL MARK​

The Listing Mark of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. on the product is
the only method provided by UL to identify products manufactured
under its Listing and Follow-Up Service. The Listing Mark for these products
includes the UL symbol (as illustrated in the Introduction of this
Directory) together with the word​

​

​

​

?LISTED,? a control number, and one
of the following product names as appropriate: ??Pullout Switch,??
??Enclosed Pullout Switch,?? ??Motor Circuit Pullout Switch?? or ??Enclosed​

Motor Circuit Pullout Switch.??

 

[roger]

Okay, I don't mean to throw gas on a fire but, I have installed many switches that you need a ladder to get to. Water heaters above the T-bar.
Air handlers above the T-bar. Role up doors. Too many things to mention.:roll:

And this is allowed by 404.8 Exception # 2.

Roger

 

[M. D.]

In view of the article 100 definition of "externally operable," which I should have looked for before I called this a "proof" (mea culpa), I must now withdraw my claim that 404.3(A) provides the proof that the pullout is not a switch.

That said, I maintain my position that the pullout does not constitute a "swich" in the context of the 6'7" rule. ....

Sooo,...what is your position based on??

 

[al hildenbrand]

Some people (Al claims to be one) may choose to turn off a running AC unit by pulling out the pullout. But I think that is bad idea, and an inappropriate use of the component.

The pull-out switch is rated in horsepower. Even the little NEMA 3R $9 unit I just grabbed out of the garage. The FAQ on the manufacturer's site says the unit is rated for load break within its HP rating.

isn't there something in the 6'7" rule that talks about the switch handle being in the up position?

You're probably thinking of the prior section:

2008 NEC
404.7 Indicating.
. . . Where these switch or circuit breaker handles are operated vertically rather than rotationally or horizontally, the up position of the handle shall be the (on) position.

So you see, the indicating limit you're thinking of only applies to a sub set of all allowable switch types.

 

[quogueelectric]

I was thinking a little more about the comment about climbing on top of the A/C unit. The disconnecting means is there not only for the technicians/electricians, but possibly for the consumer. I find it hard to believe someone would consider climbing on top of the unit is a good idea for any reason, let alone to open a disconnect.

This scenario reminded me of working on a high priced chandelier lift which was just out of reach of the scaffold as the mechanic who wired the controls who was rushing my assist because above all he did not want to be late for lunch. He was pissing and moaning because I wanted to get into position to operate the switch which was just out of my reach hurry hurry so he said hit the switch with your radio antenna which I did and sent the priceless chandelier crashing into the ground because he wired the controls backwards and overriding the controler on the ground. 2600$ to replace one crystal plate broken on the botom of the chandelier. I will NEVER be rushed again. Worried about 3 minutes into his 10 minutes before noon wash up time . I was jumping trying to reach this disconnect after I realized that he had no control over it to no avail.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

This scenario reminded me of working on a high priced chandelier lift which was just out of reach of the scaffold as the mechanic who wired the controls who was rushing my assist because above all he did not want to be late for lunch. He was pissing and moaning because I wanted to get into position to operate the switch which was just out of my reach hurry hurry so he said hit the switch with your radio antenna which I did and sent the priceless chandelier crashing into the ground because he wired the controls backwards and overriding the controler on the ground. 2600$ to replace one crystal plate broken on the botom of the chandelier. I will NEVER be rushed again. Worried about 3 minutes into his 10 minutes before noon wash up time . I was jumping trying to reach this disconnect after I realized that he had no control over it to no avail.

Well, that is crystal clear!!!

 

[glene77is]

Charlie B.,
Quoting you:
""Please don’t call into question the professional integrity of any member of this forum. We are all professionals, and we are all aware of our responsibilities with regard to safety.""

That was not my intent. I used poor wording.
These forums have been a great source of experience and information.

"" But I must now invoke “Charlie’s Rule”: “The code does not say what you think it says.” Under discussion here is what the code does say, what the inspector can enforce. We are not discussing the best practices, or emergency procedures. We are discussing the wording of the code itself. ""

Thanks for the comments,
especially the last one.
They are all appropriate to my post.
I'll take them all under advisement.

These forums have been a great source of experience and information.
My background has been 'conceptual' and
I get lost in literal "wording of the code itself" discussions.
I like the "Charlie's Rule" cite.

 

[glene77is]

iWire,

The UL quote seems like a good idea for this discussion.

You wrote "It looks like UL lists these to be used as a controller."

Is this the section you used for support?
""... Enclosed pullout switches marked for use as service equipment may also be used to provide the main control and means of cutoff... ""

 

[iwire]

No it is this

Pullout switches with horsepower ratings in addition to amp ratings are suitable for use in motor circuits as well as for general use. Pullout
switches with amp ratings only are suitable for general use only.
Pullout switches rated higher than 100 hp are restricted to use as motor
disconnecting means and are not intended for use as motor controllers