Electric Water Heater Disconnecting Means

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1

Originally Posted By: jtedesco
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Electric Water Heater Disconnecting Means


Is it required at the unit or within sight (visible and not more that 50 feet away" or must the circuit breaker be capable of being locked in the "off position" at the source of supply?

--
Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant

www.nachi.org/tedescobook.htm

2

Originally Posted By: bbadger
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


If the breaker is visible and within 50’ of the water heater no provision for locking the breaker is required.


Beyond 50' or just not in sight of the breaker must have provisions for locking it off.

Or you can simply put a disconnect switch at the unit, my normal choice. ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

--
Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN

3

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


jtedesco wrote:
Electric Water Heater Disconnecting Means

Is it required at the unit or within sight (visible and not more that 50 feet away" or must the circuit breaker be capable of being locked in the "off position" at the source of supply?


Yes ... yes ... and yes to each.

But that is what Bob said also.

--
Jerry Peck
South Florida
4

Originally Posted By: psmothers
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


What’s the code reference for that requirement?

–
Foxe Smothers


"Its not a matter of will we rebuilt it is matter of how soon..."

"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
5

Originally Posted By: bbadger
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


psmothers wrote:
What's the code reference for that requirement?


Here you go.


2002 NEC ARTICLE 422 Appliances

Quote:
422.30 General.
A means shall be provided to disconnect each appliance from all ungrounded conductors in accordance with the following sections of Part III. If an appliance is supplied by more than one source, the disconnecting means shall be grouped and identified.


Quote:
422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances.

(B) Appliances Rated Over 300 Volt-Amperes or 1/8 Horsepower. For permanently connected appliances rated over 300 volt-amperes or 1/8 hp, 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 capable of being locked in the open position.


Quote:
In Sight From (Within Sight From, Within Sight). Where this Code specifies that one equipment shall be ?in sight from,? ?within sight from,? or ?within sight,? and so forth, of another equipment, the specified equipment is to be visible and not more than 15 m (50 ft) distant from the other.


![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

--
Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
6

Originally Posted By: psmothers
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Thank you Bob.


icon_smile.gif

–
Foxe Smothers


"Its not a matter of will we rebuilt it is matter of how soon..."

"A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson