Water heater disconnect

[Cub57]

Interpretation of code on disconnects on water heaters.My understanding of the code on disconnects for water heater is that it is not required as long as breaker is lockable .is this correct ?


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[LarryFine]

That's my understanding.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Here is the section that is relevant to your question

422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances.


(B) Appliances Rated over 300 Volt-Amperes. For permanently
connected appliances rated over 300 volt-amperes, the
branch-circuit switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to
serve as the disconnecting means where the switch or circuit
breaker is within sight from the appliance or is lockable in
accordance with 110.25.

 

[GerryB]

Here is the section that is relevant to your question

I wanted to use that section for a hot tub once but for that it says readily accessible, in sight of, and the 5 foot rule. But why? A hot tub or whirpool is GFI protected, The disco I would think is for work purposes. Also, if someone is in the tub and there is a problem, the disco in not reachable from in the tub.

 

[kwired]

I wanted to use that section for a hot tub once but for that it says readily accessible, in sight of, and the 5 foot rule. But why? A hot tub or whirpool is GFI protected, The disco I would think is for work purposes. Also, if someone is in the tub and there is a problem, the disco in not reachable from in the tub.

Hot tub also has to comply with art 680. I didn't look but pretty certain the disconnect needs to be a certain distance from the tub (maybe 5 feet) but still within sight. They don't want a user in the tub to be able to reach it.

GFCI is not required to be at the tub, though most of the time it is - partly because the least cost is to purchase the spa gfci/disconnect packages vs a GFCI to put back at the main panel.