ICC Residential Electrical Inspectors Practice Exam

What must be provided to disconnect a heater and any motor controllers for fixed electric space heating equipment?

1. isolated switch

2. overcurrent protective devices

3. circuit breaker

4. power supply

The correct answer is: overcurrent protective devices

The correct choice highlights the requirement for overcurrent protective devices when disconnecting fixed electric space heating equipment. Overcurrent protection is crucial to ensure the safety of the electrical system by preventing excessive current flow, which can lead to overheating and potential fire hazards. In the context of heaters and motor controllers, these devices are designed to interrupt the electrical supply in the event of a fault or overload, effectively protecting both the equipment and the wiring. To further add context, while other options such as an isolated switch and circuit breakers serve important functions in electrical safety and disconnection, overcurrent protective devices specifically address the intentional limitation of current flow, which is critical when dealing with high-power devices like electric space heaters. A power supply is essential for the system operation but does not fulfill the specific requirement to disconnect or protect the equipment in case of excess current. Thus, overcurrent protective devices are necessary for ensuring safety and compliance with electrical codes.