July 20, 2005—A new auxiliary power safety switch is an alternative to running a separate 120-volt circuit to a rooftop, or other locations, where a receptacle outlet is required, according to the industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation, a major provider of electrical systems and components.
The new Cutler-Hammer brand Auxiliary Power Heavy-Duty Switch provides a convenient and cost-effective power source for servicing HVAC (heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration) equipment. According to National Electrical Code (NEC) Section 210.63, a 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-amperere-rated receptacle outlet is required at an accessible location for servicing HVAC equipment. The receptacle must be located on the same level and within 25 feet (7.5m) of the equipment that requires servicing. This code requirement presents challenges for rooftop air conditioning applications if a separate 120-volt circuit is run to the roof, and it can vary greatly by location, adding several hours or days of labor plus costs for material required for the 120-volt circuit.
Eaton’s new Auxiliary Power Heavy-Duty safety switch eliminates the need to run a separate circuit to a rooftop air conditioning unit by combining a safety switch, control transformer, and ground-fault interrupter (GFI) receptacle in a single product, says the company. The main switch compartment is located on the right side of the product, while auxiliary circuitry containing the control transformer and receptacle is on the left side. The auxiliary circuit is tapped off of the line side of the safety switch and can be operated independently of the main switch circuit.
For more information, visit the Eaton Web site.
