Now that we have several months post the adoption of the 2020 NEC in Washington State you will see a new item on the exterior of homes ( Single family and Two family (Duplexes)). The emergency disconnect.

In Washington State the new code became effective November 1 2020. It was originally to be July 1, 2020 but was pushed back.

The main reason for this is during an emergency event, earthquake, fire, flood etc. we want to have the response personnel to be able to deenergize the building quickly and safely without having to pull the meter. Pulling meters can create a dangerous scenario for these responders and they do not need any additional risk when they have to respond to a situation.

I am now seeing a lot of these installation out in the field when doing home inspections and other inspection services.  This will become the norm as we move forward. In existing building this will not be required unless there is a service upgrade.

When you are doing a home inspection you will need to know if the disconnect is your service equipment or just just a disconnect. This will help you on how panels are to be wire post the the disconnect.

The new code language read as this-

From the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC):

230.85 Emergency Disconnects.

For one- and two-family dwelling units, all service conductors shall terminate in disconnecting means having a short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the available fault current, installed in a readily accessible outdoor location. If more than one disconnect is provided, they shall be grouped. Each disconnect shall be one of the following:

(1) Service disconnects marked as follows:

EMERGENCY DISCONNECT,

SERVICE DISCONNECT

(2) Meter disconnects installed per 230.82(3) and marked as follows:

EMERGENCY DISCONNECT,

METER DISCONNECT, NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT

(3) Other listed disconnect switches or circuit breakers on the supply side of each service disconnect that are suitable for use as service equipment and marked as follows:

EMERGENCY DISCONNECT, NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT

Markings shall comply with 110.21(B).

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Here is an example of 230.85 (3)

Here is an example of 230.85 (1)

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If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

Coordinator & Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection-  Bellingham Technical College

Former WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board

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