Disconnect switches, mounted directly to the fan or remotely, are a recommended and necessary safety feature for every fan. According to Kendall Gullo, application engineer in the Fan and Ventilation Department of Greenheck, Schofield, WI, “Disconnect switches provide the best protection against accidental start-up during service or inspection.”
The switches are offered in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are classified under several different NEMA (National Electrical Manu-facturers Association) ratings. For design-build contractors, said Gullo, “Understanding the similarities and differences in disconnect switches will offer dollar savings to the contractor and his customers.”