514.11(A) Emergency Electrical Disconnects.

The emergency disconnect switch required by NEC 514.11(A) must be at least 20 feet away but no more than 100 feet.
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The emergency disconnect switch required by NEC 514.11(A) must be at least 20 feet away but no more than 100 feet.

Code Change Summary: Changes were made to the requirements for emergency shut-off switches for fuel dispensers.

The requirements for emergency electrical disconnects for fuel dispensers were revised in order to align with NFPA 30A, Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages. The rules are mostly the same with a few changes that make them a bit easier to understand.

The distances from fuel dispensers to the emergency disconnect switches were taken from 514.11(B) and (C) and moved to 514.11(A) so that they apply generally rather than being specific to whether the fuel island is attended or unattended.

Now, fuel dispensing systems must be provided with one or more clearly identified emergency shutoff devices or electrical disconnects. The disconnects must be installed in approved locations but not closer than 20 feet and no greater than 100 feet from the fuel dispenser that they serve.

Emergency shutoff devices or electrical disconnects must disconnect power to the following:

All other electrical equipment in the hazardous (classified) locations surrounding the fuel dispensing devices

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 2017 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2014 Code Language:

514.11(A) General. Each circuit leading to or through dispensing equipment, including all associated power, communications, data, and video circuits, and equipment for remote pumping systems, shall be provided with a clearly identified and readily accessible switch or other approved means, located remote from the dispensing devices, to disconnect simultaneously from the source of supply, all conductors of the circuits, including the grounded conductor, if any. Single-pole breakers utilizing handle ties shall not be permitted.

2017 Code Language:

514.11(A) Emergency Electrical Disconnects. Fuel dispensing systems shall be provided with one or more clearly identified emergency shutoff devices or electrical disconnects. Such devices or disconnects shall be installed in approved locations but not less than 6 m (20 ft) or more than 30 m (100 ft) from the fuel dispensing devices that they serve. Emergency shutoff devices or electrical disconnects shall disconnect power to all dispensing devices; to all remote pumps serving the dispensing devices; to all associated power, control, and signal circuits; and to all other electrical equipment in the hazardous (classified) locations surrounding the fuel dispensing devices. When more than one emergency shutoff device or electrical disconnect is provided, all devices shall be interconnected. Resetting from an emergency shutoff condition shall require manual intervention and the manner of resetting shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

Exception: Intrinsically safe electrical equipment need not meet this requirement.

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514.11(A) Emergency Electrical Disconnects.

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

Which of the following is true for an emergency disconnect switch serving a fuel pump at a gas station?

A: The disconnect must be installed in approved location but not closer than 20 feet from the fuel dispenser.
B: The disconnect must be installed in approved location but not closer than 100 feet from the fuel dispenser.
C: The disconnect must be installed no further than 20 feet from the fuel dispenser.
D: The disconnect must be installed no further than 120 feet from the fuel dispenser.
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