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Electrical Wiring

Disconnect box and ac unit

6 years ago

Having issues with my AC and had a guy over to take a look. Turns out my condenser is not running. Didn't realize it since inside the house the ac appeared to be running, just blowing cold air. Okay, first issue found.

Anyway, the ac guy told me that he would not work on my unit because I do not have a disconnect box AND the I have an older electrical panel (pushmatic). Okay, is this normal? Guy recommended that I change my panel before working on the ac unit. The cost would be over $3000 for new panel. He also mentioned that the panel was humming. I did not notice this when I came home.

So what's going on? Do I need a disconnect box if my electrical panel is right next to the ac condenser? I mean literally within arms reach.

So I called an electrician who I've worked with before. He told me he would not advise I change the panel just for the sake of it. Said he'd install a disconnect box but that was before I realized the panel and ac were so close to each other.

So I guess my main question is, what should I do here? Call another hvac guy who may or may not work on my ac unit? Call an electrician to confirm that my electrical panel is fine and maybe install a disconnect box that will be no close to condenser than panel?

Thanks.

Featured Answer

ionized_gw

6 years ago

Everything I have seen indicates that the NEC says within sight or maybe there is a 50' limit. Apparently some local codes require closer, like 6' for example. It the HVAC tech in nervous about using the circuit breaker, lock the panel door (lockout) if you provide him with the key for the door (if there is one) or a small padlock with its key.

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Comments (10)

ionized_gw
6 years ago
You could ask the electrician to straighten out the AC guy. I believe that if the panel is within sight and a few feet of the AC unit, it counts as a disconnect. My memory says that it only has to be within sight. Lot of panels hum. They don't know the words :-)
klem1
6 years ago
Most places it's code to have disconnect within arm's reach but that's no reason to refuse working on unit. You simply lockout-tagout if you are nervous.
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mike_home
6 years ago
How would a HVAC tech know which breaker to flip in order to guarantee he won't be electrocuted? Even if is labeled "AC" would you trust the breaker labeled and wired correctly?

If the circuit panel is right near by, then why would it cost $3000 to add a disconnect box? Something does not add up.
klem1
6 years ago
"How would a HVAC tech know which breaker to flip in order to guarantee he won't be electrocuted?" Hvac techs carry little devices call vom for those situations.

"If the circuit panel is right near by, then why would it cost $3000 to add a disconnect box?" It wouldn't. You must be talking about something that has not been discussed here. OP said " The cost would be over $3000 for new panel."

Now back to our original program.

.
Mike C
6 years ago
If you have an FPE power panel, I would change it out period; no matter what the condition of the AC unit.
Vith
6 years ago
http://inspectapedia.com/electric/Pushmatic.php

Appearently the stab-lock types (FPE as mentioned above) are the most concerning, otherwise there isnt that high of a fail rate on the pushmatics, which get their name from the button you push on the breaker.

The panel next to the unit is close enough to be the disconnect.
ionized_gw
6 years ago
I asked my dad's electrician about dad's 125A main Stab-loc panel. He said that the house hadn't burned down yet. A few years later, it was changed out in favor of a combo main panel/transfer switch.
klem1
6 years ago
"if you provide him with the key for the door (if there is one) or a small padlock with its key."

Technicians carry their own locks for lock-out tag-out,it's da law.
User
6 years ago
Disconnects are to be within sight and less than 50', and can be in the main panel, BUT, from a design aspect, the disconnect has to be very close because the flexible conduit used to go between the disconnect and AC can only be 6' without having to find some crazy way to strap the conduit to dirt.;)

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