Code Quiz of Day

A/C Equipment Disconnecting Means Requirements

June 15, 2015

Where the air conditioner disconnecting means is not within sight from the equipment, the disconnecting means must be ______.

Mike Holt

Where the air conditioner disconnecting means is not within sight from the equipment, the disconnecting means must be ______.

a) guarded
b) exposed
c) lockable
d) elevated

See answer and applicable Code reference

The correct answer is: c) lockable

The provisions of Art. 440 apply to electric-driven air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment. Part II of this Article focuses on the disconnecting means. As noted in Sec. 440.14, Exception No. 1: "Where the disconnecting means provided in accordance with 430.102(A) is lockable in accordance with 110.25 and the refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment is essential to an industrial process in a facility with written safety procedures, and where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the equipment, a disconnecting means within sight from the equipment shall not be required."

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.