Service Outlet

[jeber]

Can a service outlet be on the same ciruit as the furnace. If so, does this fall under article 422.12 Auxiliary Equipment. If not, why does article 210.63 state that the outlet cannot be connected on the load side of the discconect. If it connot be on the ciruit then where is this stated.

[ September 21, 2004, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: jeber ]

 

[charlie b]

Re: Service Outlet

Originally posted by jeber: . . . why does article 210.63 state that the outlet cannot be connected on the load side of the disconnect?

The purpose of the outlet is to give the maintenance technician a place to plug in any tools that may be needed. If the outlet is connected to the load side of the equipment?s disconnect, then when the equipment is turned off for maintenance, the outlet will be dead, and there will not be a place to plug in the tools.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Service Outlet

Originally posted by jeber: Can a equipment outlet be on the same circuit as the furnace?

What do you mean by the phase ?equipment outlet?? Are you talking about the receptacle to which I refer in my earlier post? To me, the phrase ?equipment outlet? means a permanently mounted box in which a major piece of equipment (such as a furnace or an air handler) is hard-wired, or a special receptacle is installed for plugging in such equipment. I would not use that phrase for a standard 120 volt, 3-prong receptacle.

 

[hbiss]

Re: Service Outlet

I always supply the receptacle from another circuit. Sometimes it is necessary to open the breaker and that would remove power from any portable lighting etc. I think you are correct in that the the receptacle can be supplied by the furnace or boiler circuit before the disconnect but it's usually a simple matter to supply the receptacle from another circuit.

-Hal

 

[jeber]

Re: Service Outlet

I should have used the phase, service outlet, for servicing and working on the furnace (article 210.63). When we do a retrofit in an exsisting home, like a furnace change out in a crawlspace, there will only be the individual circuit for the furnace. Some inspectors in the Denver area has allow a GFCI outlet, a switch, and a light to be on the line side of the disconnecting means in the circiut for the furnace. Now some inspectors are saying because of article 422.12 these items are not auxiliary equipment, such as a pump, and cannot be on the individual circuit with the furnace. This will cause additional costs to the job which I feel is unneeded. What articles can I state to the inspectors to convince them it is OK to do this.

[ September 21, 2004, 07:08 PM: Message edited by: jeber ]

 

[charlie b]

Re: Service Outlet

I think you can point them back to 210.63. It explicitly states that the required receptacle ?shall not be connected to the load side of the equipment disconnecting means.? If the intent was that the receptacle also not be connected to the line side of the disconnect, then the article would have been worded differently. They would have said, ?The receptacle outlet shall not be connected to the same branch circuit as the heating, ventilating, or air conditioning equipment.?

It?s not a very strong argument, and it is an easy argument to lose. But it?s the best I can offer.

 

[gndrod]

Re: Service Outlet

An additional safety comment to having the service outlet receptacle and lighting on a separate general purpose BC is in the event of the furnace circuit tripping out, then the line side also drops out the lighting. Most furnace areas are tight spaced and very dark.

rbj 'HOUSE WIRING & THE PROCESS'

 

[iwire]

Re: Service Outlet

I would say that a service outlet may not be on the same circuit as the furnace on either side of the disconect.

422.12 Central Heating Equipment.

Central heating equipment other than fixed electric space-heating equipment shall be supplied by an individual branch circuit.

Exception: Auxiliary equipment, such as a pump, valve, humidifier, or electrostatic air cleaner directly associated with the heating equipment, shall be permitted to be connected to the same branch circuit.

I would say you may install an outlet to feed a humidifier, or electrostatic air cleaner etc.

For this use I would say it should be on the load side of the local disconect switch.

 

[jimwalker]

Re: Service Outlet

I too agree that it is a risk should the circuit be tripping the breaker,the last thing the service man needs is to be put in the dark.There must be plenty of other circuits near by to tap this outlet and light from.