Disconnect Switches

[JDewey]

I am working to finish out the wiring inside my shop. I would like to put what is referred to as "Safety Switches" (but I call "cut-off boxes") at several points in the shop. These will be located at each location I have "heavy" power equipment. Specifically, where I will have a welder plug in or a mill plug-in, etc. These boxes will have a lever shut-off/turn-on switch that will shut down or turn on the equipment that is plugged in to the switch.

Because the welders, etc. are rated at 50A (240V single phase), I am looking at a 60A, single phase, non-fusible NEMA 1 style box, suitable for 15 hp and I will wire them to the circuit box at either 30A or 50A, as applicable for the specific equipment limits. The leading contender (based upon price) is the Siemens GNF322 60A, 240V, single phase safety switch. Square D looks good also, but is much more expensive.

The plan is to wire to the "Safety Switch" from my Circuit Breaker-based distribution box and use the lever on the "Safety Switch" to turn on or cut off the equipment.

Any thoughts?

 

[frankzlt1]

Nec Code state that any equipment out of sight of and 60 feet from the electrical panel the equipment is feed from needs to have a disconnect. Could be a plug in an outlet, the switch on the equipment or a non fused lever disconnect. Sounds to me that you just want the convenients of not going to the equipment its self and shutting it off or going to the breaker just having a disconnect to shut the equipment off, theres nothing wrong that i see just money spent thats not really needed other than convenients.

 

[pattenp]

Nec Code state that any equipment out of sight of and 60 feet from the electrical panel the equipment is feed from needs to have a disconnect. Could be a plug in an outlet, the switch on the equipment or a non fused lever disconnect. Sounds to me that you just want the convenients of not going to the equipment its self and shutting it off or going to the breaker just having a disconnect to shut the equipment off, theres nothing wrong that i see just money spent thats not really needed other than convenients.

I don't believe there is footage requirement anymore. The code just says within sight of the appliance. 2011 NEC 422.31 (C)

 

[JDewey]

biggest reason for my wanting the lever disconnects is that (1) I want to be able to change out the various welders at different locations in the shop depending upon what I am doing (e.g., Mig, Tig, Arc, etc.) and (2) I want to use the cut-off to turn off the compressor every night (there is no on/off switch on the compressor) when it is not under load.