Overview

In the 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code, Section 230.85 was added, which requires services for one- and two-family dwelling units to be provided with an outdoor emergency disconnect. Since this revision, it has been recognized that not all one- and two-family are fed directly by a service, but instead by an outdoor feeder. The 2023 NEC has added Section 225.41 to require emergency disconnects for one- and two-family dwellings that are fed from an outdoor feeder. This change ensures that all one- and two-family dwellings are provided with emergency disconnects that are easily accessible by first responders.

Applying the 2023 Code

During an emergency, it is critical that emergency responders are able to quickly eliminate the feed of electricity to a building when necessary. This was partially addressed in the 2020 NEC by requiring all services for one- and two-family dwellings to be supplied with an emergency disconnect that located in a readily accessible location, and directly on, or within site of the dwelling unit. The 2023 NEC address one- and two-family dwellings that are fed by outdoor feeders. Section 225.41 has been added to the 2023 NEC, and requires all one- and two-family dwellings fed by an outdoor feeder to be supplied with an emergency disconnecting means located at a readily accessible location. The emergency disconnected must be marked as “EMERGENCY DISCONNECT”, and include a plaque or directory denoting the location of any other energy source disconnected located on the premises.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Section 225.41 did not exist.

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC Section 220.41 now reads as follows (less the informational note):

225.41 Emergency Disconnects.
For one-and two-family dwelling units, an emergency disconnecting means shall be installed.

(A) General.
(1) Location.
The disconnecting means shall be installed in a readily accessible outdoor location on or within sight of the dwelling unit.

(2) Rating.
The disconnecting means shall have a short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the available fault current.

(3) Grouping.
If more than one disconnecting means is provided, they shall be grouped.

(B) Identification of Other Isolation Disconnects.
Where equipment for isolation of other energy source systems is not located adjacent to the emergency disconnect required by this section, a plaque or directory identifying the location of all equipment for isolation of other energy sources shall be located adjacent to the disconnecting means required by this section.

(C) Marking.
The disconnecting means shall be marked as EMERGENCY DISCONNECT.

Markings shall comply with 110.21(B) and all of the following:
(1) The marking or labels shall be located on the outside front of the disconnect enclosure with red background and white text.
(2) The letters shall be least 13 mm (1⁄2 in.) high.