ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion Canadian Electrical Code Topics Canadian Q about Heat Pumps

Greetings to all!

The CEC and NEC is close on many levels, most in fact. So any input here would be great!

I am an electrician who is installing the electrical for a small outside heat pump. The heat pump requires 20A 208. I have that covered. My questions are about disconnects and protection.

So it goes...

Ctrl Head---3Pole disconnect--3c14---MAIN
Ctrl Head---3Pole disconnect--3c14---UNIT---2c10--PANEL
Ctrl Head---3Pole disconnect--3c14---208V

There has to be a 3 pole disconnecting means between the ctrl head and main unit.

The main unit is located outside.

My questions are:
Main Unit
---------------
1a. Does the main unit have to have a disconnect?
1b. If so does, the disconnect have to be within sight (in this case, outside in a wet area)?
1c. If so, does the main unit disconnect have to have lockout capabilities?
1d.Does the main unit need to be protected by ground fault protection (either HP rated unit or an expensive GFCI breaker).

Control Units (located inside, basically a fan with coolant lines going into it)
--------------
2a. Do the control unit disconnects have to be within sight?
2b. And if so, do they have to have lockout capabilities?

Local disconnects are required at evey machine with a motor in it. lock off is required where a disconnecting means is out of site or maybe if there is a chance that unauthorized persons may operate it. Certainly if the weatherproof is right beside the outdoor unit that no lock off is required but do chck with local OSH authority.
No GFCI protection is required. Local disconnect at the fan unit too.
CEC rules are in sight and within 9 meters for a local disconnect. If you are working on an industrial site lockout may apply by putting a lock on the disconnect but that is only going to be true for a place where lockout is a recognized work procedure to satisfy WCB WorkSafe or other provincial authority for OSH.