Re-using SEC furnace circuit

[fisherelectric]

Conversion of an electric furnace to gas furnace. HVAC contractor spliced #12 romex to existing #6 SEC AL on either end to feed new furnace. He used appropriate split-bolts, taped one wire of the SEC white for the neutral and hooked it up to a 20 amp breaker. Is this compliant?

 

[GerryB]

Conversion of an electric furnace to gas furnace. HVAC contractor spliced #12 romex to existing #6 SEC AL on either end to feed new furnace. He used appropriate split-bolts, taped one wire of the SEC white for the neutral and hooked it up to a 20 amp breaker. Is this compliant?

I don't know about compliant but from what I understand the plumber or HVAC gut is only allowed to use the existing wireing at the new furnace to reconnect and is not allowed to enter the circuit breaker box, which the way you are describing it sounds like he did.

 

[peter d]

As long as appropriate splicing methods are used, and it sounds like they did, I see no issue at all.

 

[guschash]

Table 210.24 Summary of branch-circuit requirements. Shows circuit size #6 taps #12.

 

[Cavie]

Not a problem. Is the HVAC company licensed to do Electric work? That may be a proplem.

 

[peter d]

I don't know about compliant but from what I understand the plumber or HVAC gut is only allowed to use the existing wireing at the new furnace to reconnect and is not allowed to enter the circuit breaker box, which the way you are describing it sounds like he did.

It would depend on state licensing laws. I see you're in Connecticut and I'm not aware of any licensing loophole that would allow a non-electrician in CT to do electrical work. I hold a CT E-1 license. In RI, an oil burner license allows the license holder to do electrical work on the boiler itself but he can't run a branch circuit to a panel, install a remote switch, etc.

 

[renosteinke]

Splice has to be in a box, and the breaker has to be reduced to fit the lower ampacity wire.

 

[GoldDigger]

Splice has to be in a box, and the breaker has to be reduced to fit the lower ampacity wire.

...and hooked it up to a 20 amp breaker.

Can't tell from that whether he replaced the existing furnace breaker or just moved the spliced wire to an existing or new 20 amp breaker.
Either way, he did it in the panel

 

[jap]

If the Splice was in a box I dont see anything wrong with it either,other than being Ugly.
Before going through all of this, I would have probably just turned the #6 SEC into a 120v Feeder to a 2 Cir Loadcenter and put the 20a 1p in it.

 

[Cavie]

If the Splice was in a box I dont see anything wrong with it either,other than being Ugly.
Before going through all of this, I would have probably just turned the #6 SEC into a 120v Feeder to a 2 Cir Loadcenter and put the 20a 1p in it.

give that man a cigar!! No problem with alm to copper connections, no overheating of joints AND a spare ckt to boot!

 

[fisherelectric]

Thanks for the replies. This HVAC contractor is licensed to do electrical work. He got rejected for doing what he did and asked me about it. New inspector in town. He's going to call his supervisor and just wanted to get his ducks in a row before making the call.

 

[jap]

In the end, the HVAC/Electrical Contractor is going to have to present his own code interpretation that proves his install is ok,

Or the Inspector will have to present his code interpretations or local requirements of why he thinks its not ok.

That's between the two of them, not us.

 

[GerryB]

It would depend on state licensing laws. I see you're in Connecticut and I'm not aware of any licensing loophole that would allow a non-electrician in CT to do electrical work. I hold a CT E-1 license. In RI, an oil burner license allows the license holder to do electrical work on the boiler itself but he can't run a branch circuit to a panel, install a remote switch, etc.

Yes that is what I am saying