As I mentioned on another thread, I've stirred up a hornets' nest.

Customer, refrigeration guy, GC, all are really distressed about my ..... well, my doing my job, as I see it. Thus began the finger pointing, etc ...

The job is building a mini-mart. The walk-in cooler is a used item, as is the refrigeration equipment. In preparing to run power to the compressors .... I noticed that the nameplates had carefully had all the information removed, cut out. No model number, no serial number, no voltage, no amps .... nothing. I also noticed that the units use a refrigerant that is soon to be discontinued, and is already subject to some pretty hefty surcharges.

No wonder the refrigeration guy was so eager to have me hook it up. I have refused, saying that without a nameplate I am lacking information that I need. I have also pointed out that the inspector is likely to object.

Would you have done anything differently?

Deliberately removing rating plates is highly suspicious.
All sorts of evil/illegal possibilities spring to mind.

Even if everything is 100% kosher...
I don't think I'd be comfortable doing more than running a feed(s) and disconnect(s) and that only per what the refr guy will specify in writing.

(He can make the final connections himself here.)

New condensing units and blowers are in stock at the HVAC supply house if they want them.

No nameplate on the equiment which i will NOT hook up i dont care if i did see it before but my simple rule no nameplate = no hookup espcally you mention refridgement equiment i know R12 about complety history but R22 is on the way out.

I can be pain in ase but i rather cover my ase with this for safety reason because without nameplate it dont tell what voltage it require , amparage , # of phase etc, etc

John you did the right thing i know it can be a pain but somewhere you have to draw the line and say can't do it even with freaking hotstick.

Merci,Marc

I agree. With no way to verify what you have, there is no way it can be safely connected. Even if someone gave you a cutsheet on it, you still can not verify the essential data to ensure a safe connection. Good call

If they think you are being ridiculous about this, then they should be able to find someone else to do it quite easily. I am hoping no one with a license will touch this mess!

Good call John, NO WAY I would hook it up with no name plate,not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Better to run from a hornets nest than to get stung!

Jimmy, not to segway from the topic but I have to chuckle each time I see your quote in your signiture block. It is hilarious.

not mine first quoted by The Duke (John Wayne)

Today, the plot got thicker ....

The refrigeration guy brought out the owner of a large, established HVAC firm, to see what the problem was. After looking things over, this fine gent told the customer that my objections were the craziest thing he'd ever heard, that 'his' electrician could hook things up, no problem, and that he could smooth things out with the city - for a fee.

(If he's suggesting City Hall can be bought ... I'll see somebody wearing stripes before I'm through!)

I'm digging into the source for this gear .... I've also got the head of the local HVAC program coming to look it over tomorrow. Crazy things? Start with the edited nameplate ....

Simply put, I'm not about to hook this stuff up, and have it come back and bite me in a few years.

That is what I would of done. It may be a tough call but a good one.

Please be sure to speak to the Electrical inspector so he is aware of your reasons for not doing the work. I am of course assuming that no shady deals can be arranged with the inspector.
The refridgeration guy might be trying to slide obsolete gear that would not be built for new refridgerants. It could explain the great Price the store paid for this slightly used but perfectly operating gear.
If there is anything ontoward going on at least you are covering your butt.

Just an update ...

First, here is the nameplate in question:





As far as the job goes ... all is on hold. I am trying to get the customer to agree to pay UL for a 'field evaluation.'