Motor disconnect location
Each motor controller needs a disconnect in sight of it, and the motor and the machinery it drives generally need a disconnect in sight of them too. In sight means visible and no more than 50 ft away.
What the code requires
Under 430.102(A), each motor controller generally needs its own disconnecting means, located in sight from the controller. Exceptions cover some installations over 1000 volts, a group of coordinated controllers on one machine, and valve actuator assemblies.
Under 430.102(B), there must also be a disconnect in sight from the motor and from the machinery it drives. The controller's disconnect can fill that role if it is in sight of the motor and the driven machinery as well.
In sight means visible and not more than 50 ft (15 m) away, as defined in 110.29. At least one of these disconnects must be readily accessible (430.107).
On the job
- A locked room or a locked panel door does not replace a lockable disconnect.
- When the disconnect at the motor is left out under an exception, the controller's disconnect must be lockable in the open (off) position per 110.25.
Exceptions that matter
- To (A): over 1000 volts, a lockable disconnect may be out of sight if the controller is marked with the disconnect's location.
- To (A): one disconnect may serve a group of coordinated controllers that drive parts of a single machine, if it is in sight of the controllers and the controllers and disconnect are in sight of the machine. A valve actuator motor assembly's disconnect may be out of sight where in-sight placement adds hazards, if the assembly is labeled with the disconnect's location and the disconnect is lockable per 110.25.
- To (B): no disconnect is needed at the motor if the controller disconnect is lockable per 110.25 and an in-sight location is impracticable or adds hazards, such as motors over 100 hp, multimotor equipment, submersible motors, adjustable-speed drives or hazardous locations.
- To (B): the same applies at industrial installations with written procedures where only qualified persons service the equipment.
Related sections
- NEC 110.25
- NEC 110.29
- NEC 430.107
- NEC 430.109
- NEC 440.14: Air-conditioner disconnect location
Where this comes from
- NFPA: 2026 NEC First Draft meeting agenda, CMP-11 (reprints 2023 430.102)
- Mike Holt: NEC requirements for motors, part 2 of 2 (EC&M, Aug 2023)
- Leviton Captain Code 2023: 110.29 in sight
- Electrical Contractor, Locking it up: motor disconnect purpose and location (May 2025)
- Read the official NEC free at NFPA
Send a photo. Get a real answer.
Text is fastest, and a photo quote is free. Call if it is urgent, if you smell something burning, or if a breaker will not reset.
CSLB #354550 · C-10 Electrical · Licensed since 1978 · $25,000 contractor's bond