According to the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), every new home in Melbourne, FL must have an external disconnect switch. Also known as electrical service safety switches, disconnect switches serve the same function as main breakers and fuse blocks.
In the event of an emergency or when electrical hazards exist, homeowners, first responders, and repair technicians can throw disconnect switches to interrupt the flow of electricity.
While a disconnect switch might seem like a redundant installation, there are many good reasons to have one. At Mister Sparky, we’re sharing several of them.
Reasons You Need A Disconnect Switch
Location Means Everything
To comply with the 2020 NEC, disconnect switches must be installed outdoors or right inside primary building entrances. This makes them incredibly easy to access, especially for people who aren’t familiar with the internal layouts of properties. In comparison, circuit breaker boxes and fuse boxes can be just about anywhere. Although they’re sometimes found in main hallways, these are boxes often in utility closets, basements, or crawlspaces. When there are active electrical hazards in the building, no one should have to brave the interior of your home to seek out your main breaker.
Disconnect Switches Are Durable and Built for Frequent Use
Shutting off your main breaker or pulling out the fuse blocks in your fuse box are both effective ways to turn off your power. However, these measures are only intended for emergencies. Main breakers aren’t built to be used like light switches. In fact, the more that you use them, the shorter their lifespans will ultimately be.
Emergency service safety switches got their start in commercial and industrial environments. These switches are built to last. They’re durable enough to withstand daily use without sustaining any significant wear. Companies regularly use them to completely disconnect potentially dangerous equipment before exiting their facilities. In homes, disconnect switches offer an easy way to cut the power supply in emergencies, for repairs, and to prevent energy waste. For instance, you can use your disconnect switch to cut power before leaving for vacation or closing up your summer home for the season.
First Responders Are Increasingly Looking for Disconnect Switches
At one time, first responders cut the power to entire buildings by accessing the shutoff switches at electrical meters. Now, however, they’re discouraged from doing so. Firefighters and other first responders are increasingly being trained to locate and use disconnect switches instead. Disconnect switches provide a standard, safe, and easy-to-use way to ensure the electrical safety of buildings before entering them.
Having One Will Make Your Melbourne Home Code-Compliant
The 2020 NEC only requires the installation of electrical disconnect switches in new construction. However, you can make your home fully code-compliant by having one installed now. Doing so will make it easier for first responders to serve your residence. It might also make it easier to pass lender-required inspections if you choose to sell your property later on or refinance it.
You Can Customize Electrical Disconnections With External Disconnect Switches
Electrical disconnect switches offer a level of flexibility that fuse blocks and main breakers cannot. There may come a time when you want to stop the flow of electricity to specific building areas or hardwired appliances. With an external disconnect switch, contractors can tailor electrical disconnections to suit the needs of their projects.
You’ll Have Multiple Ways to Respond to an Emergency
Disconnect switches also give homeowners more than one way to respond to emergencies. If you have an in-house fire or an electrical malfunction, you won’t have to run down to your basement or crawlspace to mitigate the resulting damage or prevent resident harm. You can make exiting the building your first priority and can cut the power as you leave.
To find out more about using an electrical disconnect switch or to have one installed, contact Mister Sparky today!