Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

[aelectricalman]

Is there a distance needed to be kept from the water pipes when placing a water heater disconnect. Usually I keep it 2 to 3 feet to the side, but im confined in area and have only one place to put the disconnect. That is directly under the water lines going to the heater. Thanks

 

[cpal]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

Reference 110.26 for work space

Charlie

 

[jimwalker]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

Why use a disconnect? use a lockout on breaker

 

[pierre]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

In order to use the "lockout" as per 422.31(B), the device is not the typical "lockout" type such as used for working on a circuit during routine maintenance.
The lock out mechanism has to be permanently mounted to the panel.
The hot water heater will require a disconnect within sight from the hot water heater

 

[cpal]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

pierre

Are saying that a permanent lock is not capable of being installed on a load center ??

Charlie

 

[pierre]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

Charlie
No that is not what I was trying to say. What I meant (poorly explained the first time - let me see if I can get it better this time) was the "lockout' type device used during maintenance or construction to safe off a circuit is not the permitted method.
Mounting a locking type device to the panel cover is permitted.

 

[cpal]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

pierre


Thanks I agree but the requirement to be attached to the cover is not spelled out in the paragraph as I read it! "The device remain in place with or with out the lock installed".

What do you think??

Is anyone aware of a product that will fulfill this requirement and not mounted to a panel cover or trim???


Charlie

 

[aelectricalman]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

Thanks guys,

110.26 does not directly say anything about water pipes and shut off valves. Should it, does it? Am I overlooking this. As for the work space, there is plenty of room to access the disconnect, but its just very close to the feed thru water pipes leading to the water heater. Thanks again for any help.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

cpal,

The breakerlocks for Siemens breakers fit snug over the breaker with the panel off, then putting the panel cover on "secures" it in. Pretty cheesy, but it works. It complies with 422.31(B).

 

[izak]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

would it be illegal to put a cord and plug (such as a 30 amp dryer cord) on a water heater? i have seen it done a couple times...
or are we talking about something larger than a residential water heater?

 

[charlie]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

422.16 prohibits a flexible cord unless the appliance is designed for a flexible cord. In other words, ya cant doit.

 

[hurk27]

Re: Water shut off valve and Water heater disconnect.

They do make a double pole 30 amp wall switch that will fit in a single gain box.