fqp25 Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Inspected a electric water heater today with no service disconnect in sight of appliance. This seemed kind of odd; checked the installation manual, and it had no mention of a service disconnect. What I did find in the NEC (422.31) was an appliance not rated over 300V or 1/8 hp, the current overload device can serve as a disconnect. Does anybody know any better? I have always seen a service disconnect right by the appliance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 It would be unusual if I saw a local disconnect for a water heater, in addition to the breaker at the panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Hi, There's this: Electric water heaters require an in-sight or lockable disconnect [iRC T4001.5/NEC422-31b] OT - OF!!! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Originally posted by fqp25 Inspected a electric water heater today with no service disconnect in sight of appliance. This seemed kind of odd; checked the installation manual, and it had no mention of a service disconnect. What I did find in the NEC (422.31) was an appliance not rated over 300V or 1/8 hp, the current overload device can serve as a disconnect. That's not correct. It's 300 volt-amperes, not 300 volts. There's a big difference. Does anybody know any better? I have always seen a service disconnect right by the appliance. As Mike pointed out, the water heater should have either an in-sight disconnect or a locking provision at the out-of-sight disconnect. - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 I don't see many (almost no) electric water heaters. I have never, ever seen one w/a shutoff. Including my own @ the shack. Hmmmm..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fqp25 Posted November 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 This municipality goes by their amended version of the IRC, and under their code for electric WH they refer to the NFPA70 (2005 NEC). I guess I got a little confused with the Vol-Amp, but either way I noted that this is not a correct installation. (I am sure 4 out of 5 dentist agree...) Kurt, have you ever seen a switch for a dishwasher in the city? I use to work construction up there, and there were a few Polish and Ukrainian electricians who installed switches for the dishwasher; like right by the switch for the disposer. We always said it must be a European thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Originally posted by fqp25 Kurt, have you ever seen a switch for a dishwasher in the city? I use to work construction up there, and there were a few Polish and Ukrainian electricians who installed switches for the dishwasher; like right by the switch for the disposer. We always said it must be a European thing. There's supposed to be a shutoff for the dishwasher; a lot of guys put them on the countertop, and the cognizant electricians put them down in the sink base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric B Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 I see a fair number of electric water heaters - virtually all with no adjacent disconnect. I do not take issue with it. Now on electric furnaces - I note missing disconnects. Why are they installed differently? I have no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicago Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 I used to do appliance installs for SEARS and none of us ever wasted time placing an extra shutoff for the dishwasher.That would have cost extra and was never requested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Required in new construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pi Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Let's remember that there have been numerous NEC and other code changes over the years. Unless one knows when a subject installation was installed, has the past code books and is willing to look up the applicable code to back up a finding, I do not think the item should be written up as needing correction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 This ain't about NEC; it's about Chicago unions wanting to install shutoffs for dishwashers. It's been in effect for about 8 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fqp25 Posted November 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Hey Kurt, Do you know if that's required in Lake County? I have a cousin building a house in the Gurnee area and I'll probably check the rough for him; when it's ready. Would appreciate a Heads-UP...If it's not too much to ask... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 No, it's just a City thing. Every darn municipality in the tri-county area has their own code; no such thing as a county wide code. Heck, Glencoe even approves NMC, although no one uses it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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