TIA Proposed for 2023 NEC Regarding Disconnecting Means for EVSE and WPTE
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released a proposed Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to the 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC). The TIA was submitted by Casandra Robinson, US Department of Homeland Security/National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL), and has a comment closing date of January 22, 2024.
TIA Log No.: 1767
Reference: 625.43
1. Revise paragraph 625.43 to read as follows:
625.43 Disconnecting Means. EVSE and WPTE shall be provided with one or more
disconnecting means in accordance with 625.43(A) and 625.43(B).
625.43(A) Equipment Disconnects. For fixed-in-place EVSE and WPTE rated more than 60
amperes or more than 150 volts to ground, the disconnecting means shall be provided and
installed in a readily accessible location. If the disconnecting means is installed remote from
the equipment, a plaque shall be installed on the equipment denoting the location of the
disconnecting means. The disconnecting means shall be lockable open in accordance with
110.25. For portable and fastened-in-place equipment, the cord-and-plug-connection shall be
permitted to serve as the disconnecting means.
625.43(B) Emergency Shutoff. For fixed-in-place equipment supplying dc power to the
vehicle, one or more clearly identified emergency shutoff devices or electrical disconnects
shall be provided and shall meet all of the following:
(1) Be installed in a readily accessible location in sight from the equipment
(2) Disconnect power to all electric vehicle power transfer system equipment on the premises
(3) Be marked “ELECTRIC VEHICLE EMERGENCY DISCONNECT”
(4) Require manual intervention in order to reset from an emergency shutoff condition
(5) Disconnect all ungrounded conductors of the circuits simultaneously from the source of
supply
The disconnecting means required in accordance with 625.43(A) shall be permitted to serve as
the emergency disconnect if it complies with all the requirements of 625.43(B)
Exception: Emergency disconnects, other than that required in accordance with 230.85, shall
not be required for EVSE and WPTE installed at one- and two-family dwelling units.
Exception: Emergency disconnects, other than that required in accordance with 230.85, shall
not be required for EVSE and WPTE installed at one- and two-family dwelling units.
Substantiation: 625.43 is lacking an emergency disconnecting requirement similar to that
required by NFPA 30A at fuel dispensing facilities. Charging stations supplying DC power to
electric vehicles (EVs) are primarily available along major highways and are also becoming
more available in public parking garages and workplace parking lots. When an emergency occurs
at one of these EV charging stations, responders need a quick means to disconnect power in
order to respond to the emergency safely.
Read the entire TIA or submit a comment on NFPA's website.