worst ac disconnect

**John Arnold** · 01-02-2011, 12:04 PM

Worse than no disconnect at all, in a way, because there isn't room to open the cover far enough to use the freakin disconnect!

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**Nick Ostrowski** · 01-02-2011, 01:38 PM

You sure are picky John.

**John Arnold** · 01-02-2011, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski

You sure are picky John.

I know.
Here's what it looks like when opened fully.

**Marc M** · 01-02-2011, 02:37 PM

How bout this disco?

**Bob Burke** · 01-02-2011, 11:54 PM

The positive thing here is that it looks like the installer left a tube of caulk just in case a refrigerant line developed a leak...

**Rich Goeken** · 01-03-2011, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Worse than no disconnect at all, in a way, because there isn't room to open the cover far enough to use the freakin disconnect!

Was there a sticker from the electrical inspector for this installation? I'll bet not. However, I had a discussion with an inspector once about mechanical protection for the wiring to a HVAC unit. He said although it was recognized as an issue and required in commercial installations---it was not required in residential installations. I asked him "Do you mean that the wiring can get damaged in commercial installations---but never in a residential installation?" No answer.....

Rich

**John Arnold** · 01-03-2011, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by Rich Goeken

Was there a sticker from the electrical inspector for this installation? I'll bet not...

Actually, there was a final inspection sticker from the city on the panel.
This is new construction.
The receptacle outlets in the garage and at the bar sink did not have GFCI protection.
There were AFCI breakers only for the bedrooms, even though we're under 2008 NEC now. There was over-fusing in the panel.
The water service line appeared to be the sole system ground.
Etc, etc.

**John Arnold** · 01-03-2011, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by Marc M

How bout this disco?

Hmmm. Maybe I should have said "worst ac disconnect placement".

**neal lewis** · 01-03-2011, 08:50 AM

John, how's the clearances to the wall and the fence, as far as the condenser's concerned?

**Dana Bostick** · 01-03-2011, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Worse than no disconnect at all, in a way, because there isn't room to open the cover far enough to use the freakin disconnect!

Yep, pretty stupid placement. It's actually against code to have it where you have to contact the unit in order to operate the disco due to electrical shock issues.

Usually not that big a deal to slide the whole unit out a few more inches from the wall. There should be enough play in the connections to allow for this. I've moved these things a few feet in the past when a deck was added.