Maintenance Disconnect

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jeff43222

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Minneapolis, Minnesota
I have seen several references to the required maintenance disconnect for an outdoor hot tub to be at least 5' away, but I can't find it anywhere in the code. The closest I could find was the commentary in Exhibit 680.2 in the 2005 NECH, but of course commentary isn't inforceable. If anyone can provide a code reference, I'd appreciate it.
 
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Me too...

Me too...

jeff43222 said:
Nope -- I saw that one, and it doesn't apply in this case because the installation is at a single-family dwelling.
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Look at 680.12. all I can see is that it must be within sight from its equipment.

I see nothing about distance.
 
switch location

switch location

680.42 states that outdoor hot tubs shall comply with parts I and II of 680.... that being said 680.22(C), which is found in part II, states:

(C) Switching Devices: Switching devices shall be located at least 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally from the inside walls of a pool unless separated from the pool by a solid fence, wall, or other permanent barrier. Alternatively, a switch that is listed as being acceptable for use within 1.5 m (5 ft) shall be permitted.

Pete
 
I perused the sections again and looked at the definitions, and I think a case could be made that a switching device is not a maintenance disconnect since the term "Switching Device" is "applicable only to parts of the article specifically covering installations and equipment operating at over 600 volts, nominal." That's what it says in Part II of Article 100. The commentary that follows 680.22(C) in the NECH, however, seems to imply that it applies to all voltages.

My guess is that the CMP inadvertently used the wrong term in 680.22(C), but in the real world it's being enforced as though the CMP meant to refer to switches rather than just to "switching devices."

It doesn't make a lot of sense to say that having a "switching device" (over 600V) must be kept at least 5' from the pool, while having a 480V switch right next to the pool is perfectly safe.
 
jeff43222 said:
I perused the sections again and looked at the definitions, and I think a case could be made that a switching device is not a maintenance disconnect since the term "Switching Device" is "applicable only to parts of the article specifically covering installations and equipment operating at over 600 volts, nominal." That's what it says in Part II of Article 100. The commentary that follows 680.22(C) in the NECH, however, seems to imply that it applies to all voltages.

My guess is that the CMP inadvertently used the wrong term in 680.22(C), but in the real world it's being enforced as though the CMP meant to refer to switches rather than just to "switching devices."

It doesn't make a lot of sense to say that having a "switching device" (over 600V) must be kept at least 5' from the pool, while having a 480V switch right next to the pool is perfectly safe.
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Interesting point Jeff. It seems that you've stumbled across a generic term "switching devices" that just happens to be defined in a section regarding over 600 volt installations. I agree with your contention that this was merely an oversight on someones part.
 
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