Small Town Inspections ?

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GENRT66

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We Contract In A Small Az. City And The Inspection Dept. Has Turned Down
The Location Of The A/C Compressor Disconnects, Citing That They Need Working Clearance In Frount Of Them , They Are Approx. !4" Above The Units And Meet NEC 440.14 And The International Resideetial Code. What Am I Missing Here ?:-?
 
GENRT66 said:
We Contract In A Small Az. City And The Inspection Dept. Has Turned Down
The Location Of The A/C Compressor Disconnects, Citing That They Need Working Clearance In Frount Of Them , They Are Approx. !4" Above The Units And Meet NEC 440.14 And The International Resideetial Code. What Am I Missing Here ?:-?
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read 110.26 they are right

welcome to the forum
 
GENRT66 said:
We Contract In A Small Az. City And The Inspection Dept. Has Turned Down
The Location Of The A/C Compressor Disconnects, Citing That They Need Working Clearance In Frount Of Them , They Are Approx. !4" Above The Units And Meet NEC 440.14 And The International Resideetial Code. What Am I Missing Here ?:-?
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Well, by the wording, these disconnects would have to comply with 110.26(A) so the inspector is right per this.

Roger
 
The inspector is correct as others have mentioned.

Welcome to the forum. Just a bit of advice, there's no need to CAP each word when you type; most of us can read well enough to understand what you're trying to convey. :grin: There are no specific forum rules on this and it is just my opinion but typing is difficult enough without having to hit the shift key for every word.
 
jrannis said:
I have seen this go either way correct or not. Some claim that you wont be working on anything energized in an AC disconnect and they treat them like junction boxes.
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If your a service man and your called to find out why the unit is not running,what will you be checking first for voltage ? 110.26 is a pain sometimes but is there to protect the service man.Inspectors that allow this to be violated are not doing there job.Often its not the EC to blame.Fact is its a violation and either move disco or ac unit.Far cheaper to move disco.This is why you should have a super on the job and make sure where unit is going first.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Bob,are saying its not equipment ? or saying its not likely to be serviced or checked while its live ?
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The NEC leaves the decision of what equipment is required to be serviced live up to the AHJ.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
I follow you now but don't think that was nec intent.The wording is poor.
Here you will meet 110.26 no matter how hard it is.
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Well I think it is perfectly clear, they left it up to the AHJ.

When they mean specific equipment they say it, for example take a look at 110.26(C)(1) or (D) or (E) or (F).

If they meant what you think they mean why even say 'likely to......?
 
I think the key word is " required " I am quite certain I can determine if the disconnect is functioning properly without it being energized ,.. If I want to know the voltage at the unit I would test the voltage at the unit not at the disconnect.
 
M. D. said:
I think the key word is " required " I am quite certain I can determine if the disconnect is functioning properly without it being energized ,.. If I want to know the voltage at the unit I would test the voltage at the unit not at the disconnect.
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Your being an electrician, I won't argue the point of how you check units, but, I must say I think a great percentage of service folks would start by checking power in the disconnect simply beacuse it is easier to gain access to the conductors there than inside the unit.
I enforce 110.26 on disconnects.
 
augie47 said:
Your being an electrician, I won't argue the point of how you check units, but, I must say I think a great percentage of service folks would start by checking power in the disconnect simply beacuse it is easier to gain access to the conductors there than inside the unit.
I enforce 110.26 on disconnects.
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Gus , I have a disconnect for my garbage disposal in the wall above the kitchen counter ,. you would write me up for this ??
 
Some HVAC guys don't care what they block with their equipment:

HPIM0631.jpg
 
augie47 said:
....I must say I think a great percentage of service folks would start by checking power in the disconnect simply beacuse it is easier to gain access to the conductors there than inside the unit.
I enforce 110.26 on disconnects.
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Yeah , this always is used as the excuse,.it is " easier " ,..why they think it is the disconnect causing the problem is beyond me .. And I can check fuses without the disconnect energized too;)
 
mdshunk said:
Some HVAC guys don't care what they block with their equipment:

HPIM0631.jpg
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Marc, is that orange 10/2 romex I see coming out of that right hand disconnect? :confused:

And is that your finger in the upper left hand corner? ;)
 
M. D. said:
Gus , I have a disconnect for my garbage disposal in the wall above the kitchen counter ,. you would write me up for this ??
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If it's UL lsited or manufacturer labeled as a "disconnect", yes. If it's a wall switch being used as a disconncting means, no.
 
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