ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Sewer pumps

Ewwwww!!!!

Ever see a "honey pot" from an airplane?

Dad would bring home unused ones for us to store toys in, they looked like 5 gallon sized dixie cups... (Waxed cardboard)

Also you put me in mind of the time I changed out a heater in one of the local sewer's metering stations... A little building that measures the sewage from the adjacent town for billing purposes...

I had to stand across a 2 foot wide canal with raw sewage rushing through at an alarming rate... (don't drop a tool, indeed!)

Procedure was as follows:
Stand outside, hyperventilate. Run inside while holding breath, remove screw from old heater, run back out, repeat process until heater is removed, continue process until heater is replaced... GAG!



[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 01-13-2002).]

This is why plumbers make more $$$$

the particular pumps you mention are called septic grinder pumps around here. i wire installed systems only. the two different types i work with are, with motor controls, (the best) and hard wired which has a high level alarm remotly located. the tanks are normally fiberglass with submersible pumps. the plumber installs the tank and just leaves the power and level indicator cords hanging out th top. what i normally do is drill a 2" hole near the top of the tank and run pvc to a controller or a plastic j-box. this run is usually buried. most controllers can be wired one of two ways; one 240 volt and tap to 120v control or run 1-120v line and 1-240v to the control. for the 240v supply i use a 2 pole rated snap switch and a 1 pole for the control v.
if i'm doing a new house that requires a pump i coordinate with builder to put the meter can/combo (meter w/breakers) near where the pump will be located and use that as the disconnect source.
hope this makes sense and helps. thx, ken m
p.s. if there is a problem 'in' the tank i tell them to call a plumber!

Don't forget your safety gear when working in a sewer

LOL!!

SCBA ( 4.5?)
level B saranex? suit...
double gloves ( note the duct tape)
Full body harness...
Tripod....
Spotter....


memory lane Joe...