A switch listed to UL 98 can be used as the motor branch-circuit disconnect.

A switch listed to UL 98 can be used as the motor branch-circuit disconnect.

• A. Yes, it may be used as the motor branch-circuit disconnect.
• B. No, UL 98 switches cannot be used for disconnects.
• C. It may be used only as the motor disconnect, not as branch-circuit disconnect.
• D. It must be UL 489 listed to be used as disconnect.

Answer: (A)

A UL 98 listed switch is a general‑use switch designed to interrupt circuits, including motor circuits. For it to serve as the motor branch‑circuit disconnect, it must be rated at or above the motor’s full‑load current and have an adequate interrupting capacity, and it must be installed according to the listing instructions. When these conditions are met, the NEC allows such a switch to function as the disconnect required for the motor branch circuit. This isn’t restricted to a different type of device by default, and it doesn’t require UL 489 listing just to act as the disconnect—as long as the UL 98 listing covers motor‑control use and the ratings are suitable.

A UL 98 listed switch is a general‑use switch designed to interrupt circuits, including motor circuits. For it to serve as the motor branch‑circuit disconnect, it must be rated at or above the motor’s full‑load current and have an adequate interrupting capacity, and it must be installed according to the listing instructions. When these conditions are met, the NEC allows such a switch to function as the disconnect required for the motor branch circuit.

This isn’t restricted to a different type of device by default, and it doesn’t require UL 489 listing just to act as the disconnect—as long as the UL 98 listing covers motor‑control use and the ratings are suitable.