TIA on Emergency Disconnects for EVSE - 27 January 2026 Comment Deadline

[brycenesbitt]

This is unfortunately a messy requirement. It has already resulted in this attempt at a patch.
But at least there's now an alternative to the really unworkable manual reset requirement.

NFPA 70®-2026 Edition National Electrical Code®
TIA Log No.: 1874 Reference: 625.43(D)
Comment Closing Date: January 27, 2026
Submitter: Kris Dooley, Department of Homeland Security National Urban Security www.nfpa.org/70

1. Revise section 625.43(D) to read as follows:

(D) Emergency Shutoff.
(1) Emergency Disconnect Devices. For other than one- and two-family dwellings, all permanently connected EVSE and WPTE shall be provided with one or more clearly identified emergency disconnect shutoff devices or electrical disconnects in accordance...
(5) Be a manual reset type
Exception to (5): An alternative reset type shutoff shall be permitted if approved by the AHJ.

For full details see
https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-70-standard-development/70

 

[Elect117]

Ahhh yes. Because shut off and disconnect are almost the same thing.

Your computer's power button is a shut off. It doesn't disconnect power. It just turns it off.

Example, your computer is smoking. Is the power button disconnecting power? no. it is just turning it off. The disconnection from power comes from the cord being removed from the receptacle.

I don't really care for the disconnect requirement. It seems like a pointless addition to the code. Because, only in non-residential it is important.... These things are silly. It is either important and should be treated like motors (or HVAC without exception) or it shouldn't be required.

They want shut off and visible because it is easier to make vague? And the justification is the rule is too restrictive and jurisdictions are going to ignore it. lol. They seem to be missing the damn point. Stop trying to add equipment. Instead, go after NEMA or testing standards to put in automatic disconnection or force them to put it on a transfer switch if you are worried about back feed.

And don't forget the silent addition of needing a "qualified person" and the AHJ to approve. Not just the AHJ. Who would be qualified to say whether or not the shut off was in a good location if not the code or the AHJ. Would it be the fire dept? Would it be an engineer? Would it be the electrician?

 

[brycenesbitt]

We have a local jurisdiction that adopted a local code to the same effect (disconnects).
That same jurisdiction came to my company asking for installs. We said "nope", there's lower hanging fruit elsewhere.
They seemed unclear that the actual problem with EVs is the battery, not the AC charger. But kind of like the person who searches for lost keys where the light is better, there's nothing they can do about the battery.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

But at least there's now an alternative to the really unworkable manual reset requirement.

What type of shut-off would not require a manual action to restore power?
An actual disconnect, requires physical action to restore the power.
A button that trips a breaker with a shunt trip device, requires the breaker to be reset to restore power.