sign disconnect

[vanwalker]

NEC 2002 art 600.6 has no reference to the disconnect being on the sign and it does not use the word accessible.
does the switch have to be on or in the sign?
THANK YOU GEO

 

[caj1962]

Re: sign disconnect

Go back and read the section you are questioning. Does it not say externally operable? IMO that means outside the sign box. You are correct with the statement that it does not accessable or readily accessiable this is so the the switch may be on the sign which may be more than 6'8" off the ground. However does say within sight off the sign or controller that it operates.

Hope this answers your question for you.

 

[batch]

Re: sign disconnect

Within sight of the sign is a great form of debate for inspectors. I had two inspectors who insisted that the switch had to be within 2' of the sign on the left side. LOL

One thing to remember if the switch is going to be mounted to the sign then it must disconnect ALL ungrounded conductors within the sign. A common mistake by sign manufacturers is to put the disconnect on the cabinet or raceway and have the electric come in and either run in the raceway or in one of the wireways unprotected by conduit.

They should be enclosed in a conduit until the enter the switch enclosure. This way once the switch is turned off you have no energized conductors in the raceway. Also make sure your switch enclosure has the correct fill capacity for the conductors and devices which it encloses.