Is there any reason a switched receptacle and the controlling switch couldn’t be mounted in the same single gang box? Maybe there is such a device already made? Like this one…
Scenario is that customer is getting a pre-fab metal gas fireplace but not the optional blower. The fireplace is installed with a 120v (14/2?) piece of romex hanging out the back of it. Inside the fireplace, behind the bottom front access panel, is a duplex receptacle in a single gang box. The optional blower would be plugged into that and and switched on and off from a wall switch the electrician installs. On past houses my electricians had been running that wire to a (powered) wall switch so that later, just incase the customer wanted to get a blower the switch would be there. This leaves me with the question from the customer “What is this switch for? It doesn’t control anything.”
What I want the electrician to do is to wire the internal fireplace receptacle directly to a circuit without the wall switch. Then, if the customer wants to get the blower later, all he would have to do is have the switch/receptacle device installed in the single gang box that comes with the fireplace… Then the customer would have to open the bottom access panel to switch on or off the newly installed blower. I don’t know – maybe NEC says that an appliance has to be switched on/off by an external switch? I know this is the case with dish washers (at least in NC). I think NC uses NEC 2005.
Edited 4/2/2008 5:44 am ET by Matt
Edited 4/2/2008 6:35 am ET by Matt
Replies
To be honest I can't think of anyone who would want to open the access on their fireplace to turn the fan on.
My gas fireplace fan is controlled by an internal thermostat it comes on automatically when the temp rises above a certain point & shuts off after dropping past that point.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” —Albert Einstein
I personally thing your two options are i) do it right with a wall-switch,or, ii) leave it out altogether; and I would vote for "i".
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Barring what the others have said, two points: 1. you ask if there is a switch/outlet combo, where the outlet is controlled by the switch. You showed it... Note the following from the data sheet: "
Break-off provision for wiring both devices on same circuit or on separate circuits."
So, you break the tie bar ("break-off provision") between the hot for the switch and outlet, then wire the switched hot (from the switch) to be the feed to the outlet hot side.
2. Your reference about switches in the NEC... this is for service. Essentially "in place" equipment needs a disconnect for service, be it a disconnect in sight and readily available (i.e. NOT the breaker panel located elsewher) or being able to unplug the appliance (assuming the plug is accessible).
I'd agree with others re: the wall switch. Install a box, and if you're concerned about having a switch that does nothing, leave it out of the box. Dead-end the romex into the box and put a blank cover over it.
Thanks - that pretty much gave me what I need. I also talked to the head electrician today, and he said there would not be an inspection problem with leaving the wall switch out.
As I said, the customers declined to pay the $200 for the blower. I get tired of answering the question "what is this switch for? - it does nothing" To me answering "that is for an option you didn't buy" just isn't a good answer. Today, I had the electricians direct wire the box in the one house, and the one next door is tomorrow.