Foreign system routed through Sub-station
- Thread starter vinchenzo
- Start date
- Status
When I noticed the contractor installing the coolant lines I told him he wasn't allowed to run them through the sub-station based on what I knew about transformer vaults. I was later informed by an electrical contractor doing work in the building that the installation was okay and that the sub-station isn't the same as a vault (due to the fact that the primary voltage isn't at least 30K). This doesn't sit well with me though. I agree with you that it doesn't seem like a good idea but I also think that I read somewhere that regardless of what you want to call it (vault or sub-station) it isn't allowed.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
As long as it does not interfer with the required work and equiment spaces required by 110.34 it show be ok. There could be a problem with 110.34(F).
Don
Don
Yeah, there was a problem with the route they chose to run their lines. Allow it was obvious that they were told to provide some leak protection (they ran their refrigerant lines inside a 20' x 4" sprinkler pipe which ran straight through the sub-station) they weren't told that they couldn't run the pipe through the dedicated space above the switchgear.
They ran the sprinkler pipe between 1' and 2' above the top of the switchgear. The space above the gear is only 3' to 4' and thus doesn't give them the space they would need to get above the gear anyway.
When I was informed that management was going to accept the running of the refrigerant lines through the sub-station I told them the installation was in violation regardless (for the reason pointed out above). I informed management that if they are going to go ahead with running the refrigerant lines through the sub-station that they will need to have the contractor re-route their lines around the perimeter of the gear. I never heard anything back and didn't have the time to check if it was done before going home Friday.
They ran the sprinkler pipe between 1' and 2' above the top of the switchgear. The space above the gear is only 3' to 4' and thus doesn't give them the space they would need to get above the gear anyway.
When I was informed that management was going to accept the running of the refrigerant lines through the sub-station I told them the installation was in violation regardless (for the reason pointed out above). I informed management that if they are going to go ahead with running the refrigerant lines through the sub-station that they will need to have the contractor re-route their lines around the perimeter of the gear. I never heard anything back and didn't have the time to check if it was done before going home Friday.
Well, I finally got a chance to check if the refrigerant lines had been re-routed. They weren't (and aren't going to be). Not only were they not moved, whomever wired the condensing unit decided to use the sprinkler pipe sleeve to hang their conduit from. A #6 AWG bond wire was installed between a pipe clamp (attached to the sprinkler pipe sleeve) and a common ground bar attached to the wall behind the switchgear. This bond wire was ran through a 3/4" EMT sleeve with plastic bushings at the top and bottom. I guess they didn't have bond bushings.
Whatta ya think? Nice job? :roll:
Whatta ya think? Nice job? :roll:
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