Location For Disconnects

Status
Not open for further replies.
Mr. McDowell,
One of the first things a service tech will do when troubleshooting the AC unit will be to check the voltage at the disconenct. This troubleshooting work requires 110.26 working space.
(A) Working Space Working space for equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized shall comply with the dimensions of 110.26(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3) or as required or permitted elsewhere in this Code.
Click to expand...
Don
 
Does this same rule apply to all equipment ? How about a switch or receptacle.Same hazard.When he opens up the AC unit he will not likely have this required space.There is a point where skill level needs to be high enough for safety even when the work space is not there.
 
Was this a non-fused disconnect or a fused disconnect? If this was a non-fused disconnect then you would not have to provide the working clearance per 110.26
 
Trevor nd Don

Recognizing discussions are often at a national level, Mcdowellb is correct in this case. In New Mexico, where the original poster Dennis Franklin has this problem, the State Code exempts disconnects that don't have OCPD's from the clearance requirements of 110.26.

I know the inspector who cited him, he recently cited a project I designed where the plumber installed gas pipe in front of the disconnect. We told the Contractor that he screwed up and had two choices, provide a nonfused disconnect or move something.

Jim T
 
I'm sorry Don but you are completely wrong about that. A non-fused disconnect is just a switch and does not require working clearance. There are no parts inside of a safety switch that would require servicing, adjustment,examination ect. Please read 110.26(A). This is only a switch nothing more. Also I'm really not Mr. Mcdowell
 
Does a light switch require work space per 110.26. When the lights go out here I guess I should check voltage at the switch before I change out a burned out bulb.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Mr. McDowell,
One of the first things a service tech will do when troubleshooting the AC unit will be to check the voltage at the disconenct. This troubleshooting work requires 110.26 working space.

Don
Click to expand...
If you have a fused disconnect where it is set up when you pull the pull out the fuses are in the disconnect pull out, why would you need working clearence in front of the disconnect? If what you said was true, then ALL junction boxes would be required to have clearences in front of them?
 
marcb,
There are no parts inside of a safety switch that would require servicing, adjustment,examination ect. Please read 110.26(A).
Click to expand...
I have read and I understand the section. It requires working space. No exceptions. If anyone would ever use a voltage tester on the equipment, that is examination and 110.26(A) applies.
Does a light switch require work space per 110.26.
Click to expand...
Yes, per the code wording it does. That was the point of one of my other posts in this thread. The section is poorly written and applies to all electrical equipment.
Don
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
marcb,

I have read and I understand the section. It requires working space. No exceptions. If anyone would ever use a voltage tester on the equipment, that is examination and 110.26(A) applies.

Yes, per the code wording it does. That was the point of one of my other posts in this thread. The section is poorly written and applies to all electrical equipment.
Don
Click to expand...
I disagree with what you said Don. What about a disconnect in an attic or above a suspended ceiling. You said NO EXCEPTIONS.
 
Last edited:
What about a J-box located in an attic or underfloor? If I'm checking voltage then these must have working clearance. I'm sorry you're wrong.
 
McDowellb said:
I disagree with what you said Don. What about a disconnect in an attic or above a suspended ceiling. You said NO EXCEPTIONS.
Click to expand...

It would still need the required clearance.

Roger
 
If so, what about the cover on the disconnect? Per your clearence requirements the cover would impede on the clearence. I see it as there is no need to have 36"x30" when there are no serviceable parts...Ie breaker, fuse..etc...
 
Why not? In many large jobs we may (and do) have panelboards, enclosed breakers, and disconnects (fused and unfused) located in attics, why would any one of these be an exception for the required clearances?

Roger
 
roger said:
Why not? In many large jobs we may (and do) have panelboards, enclosed breakers, and disconnects (fused and unfused) located in attics, why would any one of these be an exception for the required clearances?

Roger
Click to expand...
Roger I'm not saying they don't need clearence, I'm saying they don't need 36"x30" clearence in front of them. I think you just need to be able to operate the switch / disconnect. If they have breakers or fuses then certainly they do need the minimum 36"x30" clearences.
 
McDowellb said:
Roger I'm not saying they don't need clearence, I'm saying they don't need 36"x30" clearence in front of them. I think you just need to be able to operate the switch / disconnect. If they have breakers or fuses then certainly they do need the minimum 36"x30" clearences.
Click to expand...

Thank you, as bad as I hate to admit it, I agree that a switch on its own does not need the required clearance, at least until all switches (including snap switches) are addressed.

Roger
 
roger said:
Why not? In many large jobs we may (and do) have panelboards, enclosed breakers, and disconnects (fused and unfused) located in attics, why would any one of these be an exception for the required clearances?

Roger
Click to expand...
What about a toggle switch for a light fixture? According to your interpretation, 36"x30" clearence would be required not to mention headroom, doors, exits....There would be virtually nowhere deamed safe to put a disconnect?
 
(A) Working Space. Working space for equipment operating
at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground and likely to
require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance
while energized shall comply with the dimensions of
110.26(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3) or as required or permitted
elsewhere in this Code.


Ive just came back to this thread, am I reading correctly that there is a concensus that a disconnect (fused or unfused ) does not fall under these requirements??

Charlie
 
McDowellb said:
What about a toggle switch for a light fixture? According to your interpretation, 36"x30" clearence would be required not to mention headroom, doors, exits....There would be virtually nowhere deamed safe to put a disconnect?
Click to expand...

You are misunderstanding what I'm saying. I'm saying until a Plane Jane switch, be it a safety switch, or a snap (toggle) switch is addressed as separate issues in the NEC they are both the same in my eyes and neither would need the required clearances of 110.26.

If I choose to use a single pole, two pole, or three pole toggle switch for a piece of equipment verses a safety switch, I wouldn't need to pay any attention to its accessibility and can install it behind the equipment or over a counter top.

In other words, as bad as hate it, I agree with you.

Roger
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top