ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (Scott35), 270 guests, and 15 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#120782 05/02/05 10:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 3
Admin Offline OP
Administrator
Member
Quote
I often see air conditioner installs that appear to have no t-stat line going to the remote condensing unit. This can be for three reasons:
- it is run within the power conduit (a violation);
- the unit operated on the principle of 'pressure drop,' and needs none; or,
- as shown here, the HVAC guy ran the wires with his 'line set.'

These pics show the need to know a little about other trades, as well as your own.

- renosteinke
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
John,
I used to work for a company here that specialised in installing AirCon/HVAC equipment and the majority of our systems worked off of a Pressure switch.
Running a thermostat wire inside the same conduit as the Mains wiring sounds a little dangerous, considering that the T/Stat wire is often very lightly insulated, to say the least.
Speaking of insulation, were these pictures taken before the HVAC guy had a chance to insulate his pipe-work?.
Often the liquid (smaller) line would go un-insulated here.
I was hooking up the power to a new house recently where the Building Inspector refused to sign-off the Building Completion Notice until there was insulation on the Gas (larger) pipe of the AC system.
Un-insulated pipes like this cause water problems from dripping Condensation. [Linked Image]

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
One must start the day early to slip one past Trumpy!

Yes, I took the pic before the insulation was added, so you could see the wire.

NEC does ban running "power limited" circuits in the same raceway as power cables- so running the t-stat wire together with the power leads is a violation. The whole point of my pic is to show your average non-HVAC person that the t-stat wires are often run separate from the power, even though they may not be visible without taking things apart.

Likewise, most electricians are not aware that some systems don't even have a cable run to the condenser (outside unit).

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
BTW John,
Who was that idiot that nailed that dwang (Horizontal timber piece) in to hold the T-stat wire, in the top pic?.
Looks like the nail-gun completely missed as did the person fitting the dwang. [Linked Image]

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
That fine bit of "carpentry" was done by the HVAC guy.

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
The sheet-rockers are going to love that little piece of artistry. [Linked Image]

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16
T
Member
Looks like the stud split, on the right, where Mr. HVAC added his 2x4.
Just proves anybody can be an electrician if they get hte right matchbook cover!

Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1
H
New Member
Many HVAC Technicians are certified to do some electrical work, it is really part of the trade. If your uncomfortable with the work that was done you can get a second opinion from another HVAC Contractor. You can find some in your area by going to http://www.airconditionerfeatures.com/location/contractorsdir/NY.html

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
Here in NJ a lot of HVAC people have EC's working for them. A lic. EC will sign all the permits and hopefully do the electric work.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
Harold:

Are you tastefully implying something ???

"A lic. EC will sign all the permits and hopefully do the electric"



John
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5