nec 2020 code requirment ?
- Thread starter wireman1
- Start date
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kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
there is a new requirement in 230.85 that applies to one and two family dwellings that requires a disconnect for emergency purposes to be installed at a readily accessible outdoor location. It can also be the service disconnecting means or it can be just a switch that is not the service disconnecting means. Needs to be marked accordingly and there is no mention of location relative to metering, just that there needs to be an outside disconnect for emergency purposes.
IMO it leaves some questions and I wouldn't be surprised to see changes in the next code to clear up some those questions.
IMO it leaves some questions and I wouldn't be surprised to see changes in the next code to clear up some those questions.
Coppersmith
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa, FL, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Long after I retire and probably after I'm dead, electricians doing panel changes will have a much easier time because they won't have to pull the meter.
ggunn
PE (Electrical), NABCEP certified
- Location
- Austin, TX, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer - Photovoltaic Systems
Do you know if the main breaker in an exterior MDP will qualify? Austin Energy (where I am) has required an external disconnect for years and the MB in the MDP if it's externally mounted satisfies them.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
The POCOs here give rebates for installing transfer switches close to the meters. In our rural settings this could easily be a couple hundred feet from the house. Close enough?
Lots of questions and changes for this article.
Lots of questions and changes for this article.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
I don't see why not. New code section does tell you how you must label it, so you will need to add "EMERGENCY DISCONNECT" to your usual SERVICE DISCONNECT labeling.
PaulMmn
Senior Member
- Location
- Union, KY, USA
- Occupation
- EIT - Engineer in Training, Lafayette College
I can see a new Halloween prank-- see how many breakers you can shut off before the cops show up! 
Coppersmith
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa, FL, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I can see a new Halloween prank-- see how many breakers you can shut off before the cops show up!
Many houses around here have outside panels and I've never heard of a vandal turning off someone's breakers.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
The thing that code leaves somewhat vague however is that if said disconnect meets criteria for a "service disconnecting means" then must one consider it to be the service disconnect and run your GES to that point as well as keep grounded and grounding conductors separated beyond that point? It is reasonably clear that an unfused switch is permitted to be used as this emergency disconnect but does not make it clear if you can use something that otherwise qualifies as a service disconnect yet place the service disconnect somewhere down stream from it.
I can see a new Halloween prank-- see how many breakers you can shut off before the cops show up!
I have to say, every time I drive through a Mcdonalds drive thru I think about jumping out and pulling that big handle down.
JAP>
ggunn
PE (Electrical), NABCEP certified
- Location
- Austin, TX, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer - Photovoltaic Systems
I have a padlock on mine.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
The long wait is what triggers the want to jump out and pull the handle in the first place.
JAP>
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Might as well plan on leaving after you pull that handle, your wait went from long to eternity.The long wait is what triggers the want to jump out and pull the handle in the first place.
JAP>
Add: power going out is bad enough, the fact the computers went down potentially killed business for the rest of the day.
Might as well plan on leaving after you pull that handle, your wait went from long to eternity.
Add: power going out is bad enough, the fact the computers went down potentially killed business for the rest of the day.
Pull the handle AFTER you receive your order. Problem solved.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Then you have to work your way backward in the line, that disconnect is usually back near the ordering station and not by the receiving station.Pull the handle AFTER you receive your order. Problem solved.
shortcircuit2
Senior Member
- Location
- South of Bawstin
Clear as mud, huh.
2020 NEC 230.85 option 3 appears to allow equipment that meets the criteria of a "service disconnecting means" and label it NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT and now it is not what it is and you can run 3-wires inside to a main breaker panel without separating the neutrals and grounds.
An option 3 disconnect meeting the criteria for a "service disconnecting means" must also comply with new 2020 section 250.25 and have a 250.24(B) Main Bonding Jumper and a 250.24(D) Grounding Electrode Conductor connected to grounding electrode(s) required by Part III of article 250.
Any clearer now? Not to me as now both inside and outside pieces of equipment will need to be connected to a GES.
Other interpretations needed.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Not sure what 250.25 is all about just yet. 250.24 (A)(1) I think is unchanged and has always let you land the GEC at any point between service drop/lateral and the service disconnecting means, which commonly allowed us to land it in a meter socket (where POCO will allow it). Emergency disconnect that is not the service disconnecting means would still be allowed to be a place where you can run the GEC as it is between the service drop/lateral and the service disconnecting means.
Maybe there is more to it than what I am seeing so far?
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