Residential Boiler Pump

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loyddobbler

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Recently, I've been seeing more and more boiler circulation pumps wired like this one. I am a home inspector, and was taught long ago that the pumps and controls for the boiler should use MC cable. Have I been wrong all this time, or is there more to the story?
 

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A flexible cord is not permitted as a substitute for fixed wiring. Unless that pump came with a factory installed cord and plug it needs to be removed.
 
GoldDigger said:
Vibration exemption?
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I would agree with Infinity that this circ. pump likely does not have a listing to allow for a field installed cord and plug. This would not be high my priority list as far as safety. Could not tell from tour photo if it has a plug at the supply end...if hardwired it definitely needs to go.
 
No plug attached. It's hard wired into the boiler control box, like every other one that I've come across. Agreed that it's not a big safety item in my opinion, but was just wondering where I would find it in the NEC in case a home owner or heating contractor challenged me on it. I seem to be seeing more and more of it lately.
 
loyddobbler said:
No plug attached. It's hard wired into the boiler control box, like every other one that I've come across. Agreed that it's not a big safety item in my opinion, but was just wondering where I would find it in the NEC in case a home owner or heating contractor challenged me on it. I seem to be seeing more and more of it lately.
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Rob said it in post #2. The code section is 400.8(1)

You mentioned you thought it had to be MC cable, not true. Could be just about any chapter 3 wiring method, even NM cable could be permitted in some cases, though many would balk at that.

As far as the mentioned vibration exception, I have never seen a pump of that type that had any significant level of vibration. If it did the occupants of the place would not be very happy with it as it would send that noise all through the house - especially if this supplies baseboards or fan coils.
 
kwired said:
As far as the mentioned vibration exception, I have never seen a pump of that type that had any significant level of vibration. If it did the occupants of the place would not be very happy with it as it would send that noise all through the house - especially if this supplies baseboards or fan coils.
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Who determines what amount of vibration is required to allow the use of cord?
 
iwire said:
Who determines what amount of vibration is required to allow the use of cord?
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Good question.

I will say if vibration was an issue then the thing may likely have flexible pipelines attached to it also, but these pumps are pretty light and are almost always supported by the piping.
 
NM cable is permitted to be run exposed as long as it follows the surface of the building finish, is protected when there is a potential for physical damage and supported/secured. NM cable can be used for circulator pumps just not exactly in the fashion depicted in the photo.
 
I like the wire nuts hanging out of the box. reminds me of most control panels after they have been out in the field for a few years.

I would feel better about the install if they had run the Romex so that you can get to the pumps without having to climb over the hanging cables.
 
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Looks like a very typical NJ boiler installation. I wonder if inspectors ever even look at these. :roll:
 
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