440.11 General.

If the disconnecting means is readily accessible to unqualified persons (like in this public parking garage), any enclosure door or hinged cover of the disconnecting means enclosure that exposes energized parts when open requires a tool to open or must be capable of being locked.
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If the disconnecting means is readily accessible to unqualified persons (like in this public parking garage), any enclosure door or hinged cover of the disconnecting means enclosure that exposes energized parts when open requires a tool to open or must be capable of being locked.

Code Change Summary: New requirements added to address access to HVAC system equipment disconnecting means.

NEC Section 440.11 provides requirements to ensure that a disconnecting means for HVAC equipment can disconnect the air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment, including motor-compressors and controllers, from the circuit conductors.

In the 2023 NEC®, Section 440.11 was expanded to provide additional requirements for proper guarding of the HVAC system equipment disconnecting means.

Now, if the disconnecting means is readily accessible to unqualified persons (see Article 100 definition of “Accessible, Readily”), any enclosure door or hinged cover of the disconnecting means enclosure that exposes energized parts when open requires a tool to open or must be capable of being locked.

Note that this new requirement is not dependent on the position of the switch handle when the enclosure is being opened. There are many enclosed switches with a hole in the side and a slot to allow a screwdriver to be inserted to permit the enclosure door to be opened while the switch is closed (energized).

Similar code language was added in Section 404.30 to address enclosed switches in general, but the requirements are based on if the switch is in the closed position.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2020 Code Language:

440.11 General. Part II is intended to require disconnecting means capable of disconnecting air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment, including motor-compressors and controllers from the circuit conductors.

2023 Code Language:

440.11 General. Disconnecting means shall be capable of disconnecting air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment, including motor-compressors and controllers, from the circuit conductors. If the disconnecting means is readily accessible to unqualified persons, any enclosure door or hinged cover of a disconnecting means enclosure that exposes energized parts when open shall require a tool to open or be capable of being locked.

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440.11 General.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2023 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: The code change in Section 440.11 applies to disconnecting means that are readily accessible to unqualified persons.
B: The code change in Section 440.11 applies to disconnecting means that are accessible to qualified persons.
C: The code change in Section 440.11 applies only to an HVAC system disconnect rated over 30 amps.
D: The code change in Section 440.11 applies only to an HVAC system disconnect rated over 60 amps.
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