Disconnect for Electric WH

[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.

Does anybody know any better? I have always seen a service disconnect right by the appliance.

[Bill Kibbel]

It would be unusual if I saw a local disconnect for a water heater, in addition to the breaker at the panel.

[hausdok]

Hi,

There's this:

Electric water heaters require an in-sight or lockable disconnect [iRC T4001.5/NEC422-31b]

OT - OF!!!

M.

[Jim Katen]

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

[kurt]

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.....

[fqp25]

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.

[kurt]

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.

[Eric B]

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.

[chicago]

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.

[kurt]

Required in new construction.

[pi]

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.

[kurt]

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.

[fqp25]

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...

[kurt]

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.