Master Electrician

Status
Not open for further replies.
1

1993almc

New member
Does The Use Of A Dryer Cord And Receptacle Meet NEC requirments for the disonnect for an electric water heater ?
 
you'll have a hard time conviencing the inspector with permitted usage of flexible cord and cable 400.7. Waterheaters are permanently connected pieces of equipment.

Rick
 
We have seen picutures here of WH with dryer cords, its common in some parts of the country. Its allowed by the NEC if the WH instructions state a dryer cord can be used.
 
It was very typical in the Greater Baton Rouge area for a cord to be installed on the water heater around '80 to 96' or so
 
The county inspection allows to use the 30 amp 3 wire (dryer cords) to use as a means of disconnect for a water heater. I dont know why because in the next county over I must install a disconnect like if it was a CAC unit.
 
aftershock said:
The county inspection allows to use the 30 amp 3 wire (dryer cords) to use as a means of disconnect for a water heater. I dont know why because in the next county over I must install a disconnect like if it was a CAC unit.
Click to expand...

Next time you see one of them inspectors that permit it ,ask him what he is using for the ground. It's 2 hot's and a neutral and no ground. On the dryer they bonded the frame to the neutral (ligal at the time ), dryer 3 prongs have no ground.
 
If the waterheater met the intent of 400.7 (A) (8) a properly sized cord and plug with a ''ground prong" could be used. Unless the AHJ pulls out his vest pocket rules.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Next time you see one of them inspectors that permit it ,ask him what he is using for the ground. It's 2 hot's and a neutral and no ground. On the dryer they bonded the frame to the neutral (ligal at the time ), dryer 3 prongs have no ground.
Click to expand...

In the way that cord is used on a water heater you have 2 hots and a ground.
 
I checked the instruction manual that came with my latest water heater and its says to install according to the instruction manual, local codes, utility codes, or in the absence of local codes, use the latest edition of the nec.
According to the instruction manual, flexible cords are not listed in the approved cable types.

According to 400.7(A)10; Where specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code, I only see range hoods, cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, disposals,washers, dryers, trash compactors, and central vacs. Water heaters haven't made the list.

Rick
 
Why would you want to install an extension cord type application on a hot water heater? Is this heater being moved around on a daily basis or what? Doesnt make sense. All the hot water heaters I've seen are fixed in place.
 
mdakxotaz said:
Why would you want to install an extension cord type application on a hot water heater? Is this heater being moved around on a daily basis or what? Doesnt make sense. All the hot water heaters I've seen are fixed in place.
Click to expand...

Extension cord? Just a cord and plug application like washing machine. It's just that it is not the right way to do it per NEC. I guess some local cord enforcement allow it, like here in Shelby county.

I never understood Shelby county as in the way things are allowed and accepted to be done, but yet I have learned from this forum that I was comitting a code violation per NEC.

Water heaters are allowed to have a cord and plug for the means of diconnect.
Furnace units are allowed to be done the same way.
We are allowed NM outdoors in conduit.
Our 8' ground rods are to be a few inches above ground with an exposed ground clamp.
I can use a Murray breaker in a Cutler Hammer panel and it will pass inspection.
An island in a kitchen does not require a receptacle.
There are others I cant think of at the moment.

This forum has shown me that I have been violating the NEC code per acceptable practices permitted by my AHJ.

I have always been wanting to be able to go by the book and not have to wonder if something is OK or not with my AHJ.

Im going down to south central Texas this weekend to start work due to the fact the Memphis economy has gone down enough to not have any work to make a living. I hope down in Texas the NEC is followed as it should be.


BTW. Tennessee has gone to the 2008 NEC cycle, but Shelby county will continue under the 2002 for atleast another year.
 
aftershock said:
Extension cord? Just a cord and plug application like washing machine. It's just that it is not the right way to do it per NEC. I guess some local cord enforcement allow it, like here in Shelby county.

I never understood Shelby county as in the way things are allowed and accepted to be done, but yet I have learned from this forum that I was comitting a code violation per NEC.

Water heaters are allowed to have a cord and plug for the means of diconnect.
Furnace units are allowed to be done the same way.
We are allowed NM outdoors in conduit.
Our 8' ground rods are to be a few inches above ground with an exposed ground clamp.
I can use a Murray breaker in a Cutler Hammer panel and it will pass inspection.
An island in a kitchen does not require a receptacle.
There are others I cant think of at the moment.

This forum has shown me that I have been violating the NEC code per acceptable practices permitted by my AHJ.

I have always been wanting to be able to go by the book and not have to wonder if something is OK or not with my AHJ.

Im going down to south central Texas this weekend to start work due to the fact the Memphis economy has gone down enough to not have any work to make a living. I hope down in Texas the NEC is followed as it should be.


BTW. Tennessee has gone to the 2008 NEC cycle, but Shelby county will continue under the 2002 for atleast another year.
Click to expand...

If a county allowed panels to be installed in closets,or nema 1 panels
installed out doors. Woud you do it?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top