Ken Bates
11-04-2008, 09:55 AM
I regret telling my client an FYI opinion and actually transcribing it in my report (essentially to CMA as he would be hiring an electrician to correct defects and deficiencies if he purchased.)
I said, "that technically there should be a cut-off switch next to the 80 gal water heater as is was out of sight of it's overcurrent protection breaker that is located in the abutting room. It is less than 50 feet from the panel and there is no other means to get to the panel and you have to pass the water heater bay to get to the panel and there is no locking mechanism on the dedicated water heater breaker."
Lo and behold my client tries to use this as a bargaining chip and includes this in his punch list.
My client then sends me an email copy of the seller's response which stated,
"while a local switch would be nice it is not necessary."
So, I checked the NEC and was confused by the term Volt-Amperes.
422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances.
(A) Rated at Not Over 300 Volt-Amperes or 1⁄8 Horsepower.
For permanently connected appliances rated at not
over 300 volt-amperes or 1⁄8 hp, the branch-circuit overcurrent
device shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
(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. The provision for locking or
adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed
on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting
means and shall remain in place with or without the
lock installed.
FPN: For appliances employing unit switches, see 422.34.
So,does this common 80 gal. water heater (two-4500 resistance elements on 240V AC) have to have a local switch as STRICTLY DEFINED by the NEC??
Bottom line--- What the h*ll doesVolt-Amperes mean???
I said, "that technically there should be a cut-off switch next to the 80 gal water heater as is was out of sight of it's overcurrent protection breaker that is located in the abutting room. It is less than 50 feet from the panel and there is no other means to get to the panel and you have to pass the water heater bay to get to the panel and there is no locking mechanism on the dedicated water heater breaker."
Lo and behold my client tries to use this as a bargaining chip and includes this in his punch list.
My client then sends me an email copy of the seller's response which stated,
"while a local switch would be nice it is not necessary."
So, I checked the NEC and was confused by the term Volt-Amperes.
422.31 Disconnection of Permanently Connected Appliances.
(A) Rated at Not Over 300 Volt-Amperes or 1⁄8 Horsepower.
For permanently connected appliances rated at not
over 300 volt-amperes or 1⁄8 hp, the branch-circuit overcurrent
device shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
(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. The provision for locking or
adding a lock to the disconnecting means shall be installed
on or at the switch or circuit breaker used as the disconnecting
means and shall remain in place with or without the
lock installed.
FPN: For appliances employing unit switches, see 422.34.
So,does this common 80 gal. water heater (two-4500 resistance elements on 240V AC) have to have a local switch as STRICTLY DEFINED by the NEC??
Bottom line--- What the h*ll doesVolt-Amperes mean???