Water Heater Disconnect
- Thread starter gent
- Start date
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jmc
Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
See section 422.31 and 422.33.
See section 422.31 and 422.33.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
Breakers, switches, and disconnects yes, cord-and-plug no. I do not think a water heater meets the requirements of 422.16. Water heaters should be "hard wired".
Breakers, switches, and disconnects yes, cord-and-plug no. I do not think a water heater meets the requirements of 422.16. Water heaters should be "hard wired".
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
This came up on a previous post. It wasn't ever 100% determined if a water heater could be cord and plug connected, however, after looking at the UL listing information, I feel it is dependant on what the manufacture states in the instructions.
The disconnecting means does not have to be within site if it is capable of being locked open.
This came up on a previous post. It wasn't ever 100% determined if a water heater could be cord and plug connected, however, after looking at the UL listing information, I feel it is dependant on what the manufacture states in the instructions.
The disconnecting means does not have to be within site if it is capable of being locked open.
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
I've always been taught that a water heater should have a disconnecting means, either cord or switch within reach of the unit. However, after reading more carefully the cited articles, I'm going to have to agree with Bryan regarding 422.16. Water heaters are not frequently interchanged, and their other mechanical connections are not designed to permit ready removal.
I'm still all for the local switch however, even though 422.31B allows the overcurrent device to serve that function, it seems good sense to me to have a local means.
Tom, I don't think the manufacturers' instructions would be enough by itself due to the wording of 422.16a2 which reads in part "..specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance or repair and the appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection." The "and" in there indicates, to me, that being listed or intended for a cord is not enough alone, that the appliance must also satisfy the previous requirements.
Of course, water heaters in tract homes are cord connected left and right, so it's obviously not something everyone agrees on. Interesting stuff tho.
-Noxx
I've always been taught that a water heater should have a disconnecting means, either cord or switch within reach of the unit. However, after reading more carefully the cited articles, I'm going to have to agree with Bryan regarding 422.16. Water heaters are not frequently interchanged, and their other mechanical connections are not designed to permit ready removal.
I'm still all for the local switch however, even though 422.31B allows the overcurrent device to serve that function, it seems good sense to me to have a local means.
Tom, I don't think the manufacturers' instructions would be enough by itself due to the wording of 422.16a2 which reads in part "..specifically designed to permit ready removal for maintenance or repair and the appliance is intended or identified for flexible cord connection." The "and" in there indicates, to me, that being listed or intended for a cord is not enough alone, that the appliance must also satisfy the previous requirements.
Of course, water heaters in tract homes are cord connected left and right, so it's obviously not something everyone agrees on. Interesting stuff tho.
-Noxx
physis
Senior Member
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
I find in "The Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code" This:
"Water heaters shall not be connected with flexible cords >>422.16(A)<<
If my interpretation is correct a water heater doesn't meet either of the two conditions required to be allowed attachment with a flexible cord.
[ May 09, 2003, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
I find in "The Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code" This:
"Water heaters shall not be connected with flexible cords >>422.16(A)<<
If my interpretation is correct a water heater doesn't meet either of the two conditions required to be allowed attachment with a flexible cord.
[ May 09, 2003, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
2002 NEC
[ May 09, 2003, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
2002 NEC
And the commentary for this article from the 2002 NEC Handbook.
I do not see any reason to use cord for a water heater and as someonelse pointed out probably more money for 30 amp cord cap and outlet than a disconnect.
[ May 09, 2003, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
Yes Bennie I would agree 100% as any of those I have seen come with a factory installed cord and cord cap.
Yes Bennie I would agree 100% as any of those I have seen come with a factory installed cord and cord cap.
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
I don't really think I would connect a water heater with a dryer cord, but I don't think there is any problem with the procedure.
My dryer has been in the same place, except for moving to clean under it, for 14 years. My water heater has been changed two times.
I don't really think I would connect a water heater with a dryer cord, but I don't think there is any problem with the procedure.
My dryer has been in the same place, except for moving to clean under it, for 14 years. My water heater has been changed two times.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
Would that be a 3W dryer cord or a 4W dryer cord, can you still get 3W versions?
Would that be a 3W dryer cord or a 4W dryer cord, can you still get 3W versions?
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
I do not know what can make two applainces have two different classifications, but for whatever reason:
Ranges, refrigerators, counter-top appliances, dish washers, disposals, dryers, washers. These can be cord-and-plug connected.
Water heaters, air-handlers, furnaces, a/c units, range hoods. These should be hard wired with means of disconnect.
The only discernible difference is the appliance installation itself. Fastened in place or not. It just seems weird to me to have a cord-and-plug attachment to a water heater. I still feel the code prohibits this, but I really cannot see any safety issue with it.
I do not know what can make two applainces have two different classifications, but for whatever reason:
Ranges, refrigerators, counter-top appliances, dish washers, disposals, dryers, washers. These can be cord-and-plug connected.
Water heaters, air-handlers, furnaces, a/c units, range hoods. These should be hard wired with means of disconnect.
The only discernible difference is the appliance installation itself. Fastened in place or not. It just seems weird to me to have a cord-and-plug attachment to a water heater. I still feel the code prohibits this, but I really cannot see any safety issue with it.
frenchelectrican
Senior Member
- Location
- Nord'est Wisconsin et Paris France
Re: Water Heater Disconnect
but here one catch i see few gaz fired waterheater have cord attchment there allready for blower and ingiter assambly unit and i left there with reguair singleplex outlet for it . for bigger devices if i recall the nec 422.14.a (96 code) shall be rated for 15 or 20 or 30 amps but there is a fine line for usage i am not done digging up on 02 codes yet i know there are some change there but validly i remeber that if under 1.5 kw or less can be cord attached if over 1.5 have to be hard wired i cant remeber where excat location it state there .
bob i see few peoples use 3 wire dryer cords attached to waterheater but not straght 6-30 set up at all ( straght 240 volts cord ) even thru one person did use that for both waterheater and dryer and they told me that they switch back and froth i say i am not crazy with it. it must be on seprarte crk .
merci marc
but here one catch i see few gaz fired waterheater have cord attchment there allready for blower and ingiter assambly unit and i left there with reguair singleplex outlet for it . for bigger devices if i recall the nec 422.14.a (96 code) shall be rated for 15 or 20 or 30 amps but there is a fine line for usage i am not done digging up on 02 codes yet i know there are some change there but validly i remeber that if under 1.5 kw or less can be cord attached if over 1.5 have to be hard wired i cant remeber where excat location it state there .
bob i see few peoples use 3 wire dryer cords attached to waterheater but not straght 6-30 set up at all ( straght 240 volts cord ) even thru one person did use that for both waterheater and dryer and they told me that they switch back and froth i say i am not crazy with it. it must be on seprarte crk .
merci marc
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