Code Change Summary: A new code section provides requirements for the term “Within Sight”.

The terms “In Sight From”, “Within Sight From”, and “Within Sight” are used throughout the NEC^®. This code cycle, Article 100 has a revised definition of the term which ensures compliance with the NEC^® Style Manual since the previous definitions contained “requirements”. The NEC^® Style manual states that definitions shall not contain “requirements” or recommendations.

Equipment (such as a disconnect switch) is considered “in sight from” other equipment (such as a rooftop fan motor supplied by the disconnect switch) if it is visible and not more than 50 feet away from the other equipment and can be seen while standing at the other equipment.

In the 2023 NEC^®, new Section 110.29 provides the “requirements” for the above-mentioned terms defined in Article 100.

The intent of the revised definition and new code section is to ensure that an electrician servicing the equipment can see the disconnecting means while standing at the equipment being serviced and the disconnecting means is not further than 50 feet from the equipment it serves.

Before the revised definition and new code section, most felt that this concept was well understood but some felt that additional clarity was needed.

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.