Sorry 'bout that!

[wolfman56]

I may have just made it a little tougher for us Washington spark's.
I wire a lot of rooftop heat/AC units. Our new units have breakers in the controls box to land the feeders on.
Yesterday I called my local inspector to ask if he'd have a problem with me calling that the disconnect, as code allows it inside or on the unit. It created a bit of discussion in their office. A couple of hours later the inspector called me and indicated that this would be their viewpoint from now on.
Because you have to "remove screws" it's not considered "readily accessible". So the answer is no. And also because a contractor recently informed them that ALL THE PANELS on a unit can be removed to make repairs, disconnects cannot be installed ANYWHERE on a unit.
I guess it just got tougher, sorry.
Rick

 

[hurk27]

Re: Sorry 'bout that!

I think this is a tripup of words as how can they say that it is allowed within but it has to be readily accessible?
Unless it only has to be "readily accessible from the AC unit " like after you have removed the sides to work on it?
I have worked on big units that have doors on them and all the electrical including the disconects was inside of them, Is this what it's talking about?

440.14 Location.
Disconnecting means shall be located within sight from and readily accessible from the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment . The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be installed on or within the air-conditioning or refrigerating equipment. The disconnecting means shall not be located on panels that are designed to allow access to the air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment.

 

[hillbilly]

Re: Sorry 'bout that!

I think a good example of a disconnect located "within but readily accessible" is a split heat pump system that I hooked up this week. The under house evaporator/aux heat cabinet came equipped with a 60A breaker mounted in the enclosure with the handle thru the wall. If it was totally enclosed in the housing, it wouldn't be "readily accessible".
steve