gfretwell Wrote:
They use cord and plug to facilitate the use of a portable generator. My ex had her furnace (blower) rewired that way.
In that regard it is probably safer than the alternatives homeowners come up with like back feeding dryer receptacles.
I had to bail a homeowner out of a dispute between his heating contractor and the electrical inspector. I have been doing electrical work for thirty five years and only found it worth arguing with an electrical inspector five times at the most. When in doubt comply! The heating contractor had promised to make the new furnace capable of being powered by a generator but the electrical inspector was not willing to allow the cord and plug connection. As a previous poster pointed out the duct work and the gas piping argue pretty convincingly against the unit being suitable for frequent interchange or servicing. I asked the inspector if the cloth vibration section had an hand locking collar and the gas had a off appliance union would he allow the cord and plug. He obviously didn't like it but he said he would sign off. The cost of the changes were rather high though and the heating contractor didn't want to eat the parts and work. I offered to set up a recreational vehicle single pole transfer switch and a flanged inlet in a raised cover of a deep, 4&11/16ths square, (11B) box. Everyone was a lot happier and I picked up a two hour minimum service call out of the deal.
I really do understand the good faith difference of opinion on 400.8 but like other posters I don't understand why it is important. I don't see the compelling state interest in forbidding the use of cord and plug connections on these and similar appliances when the obvious reason to do so is to reduce the need for coordination between the trades involved. It just shouldn't take two visits to provide the power for a plumbing or mechanical job. The insurance companies that write insurance for the crafts very carefully exclude insuring any work beyond the individual crafts license. A plumbing or mechanical contractor that allows their mechanics to perform any work for which the firm and the mechanic are not both appropriately licensed is leaning his head way out after passing out machetes.
[This message has been edited by tdhorne (edited 02-15-2007).]
