Mechanical Equipment connections

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john37

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Riverside, California
I have a project going on right now where the general contractor is questioning who takes care of the connection from the disconnect to the air handling unit. It has always been my understanding that the Electrician provides power up to the disconnect and then from the disconnect make the power (120V or 480V) connection to the unit itself. Am I correct in this assumption? Evidentially the Mechanical specs says something about the wiring but the general contractor is stating it does not say "low voltage" wiring. In my opinion the Mechanical contractor is not an Electrician so he should not be required to connect any connections that are not with the exception of low voltage control wiring. Any opinions is appreciated.
 
480sparky said:
Anything other than control wiring is usually done by the EC.
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I agree, but some jurisdictions have limited electrical licenses for HVAC contractors, for doing line voltage connections. It is possible that the contract calls for the HVAC contractor to connect the unit.
 
In my area, MA, RI, CT it would be very unusual for the HVAC person to do any wiring at all during construction projects. (Keep in mind I not involved in new single family homes)

OTOH, when the units are being serviced or replaced the HVAC guys do the work.

If I saw the HVAC guys trying to do wiring on a construction project I would (and have) questioned the permitting and licensing.
 
Legal, licensing and permitting issues aside what does the contract say? If the EC is only to provide a disco next to the unit and connection is "by others" then that's all the GC gets. If the others need to be a licensed EC then he can hire another licensed EC (or a an HVAC installer who's also licensed) or give the original EC an extra to do the work. Quite often we will bring circuitry or a feeder to a certain point and the rest of the connection(s) are done "by others".
 
Don't blame me..

Don't blame me..

I have always done line voltage wiring and made sure HVAC guys did control wiring. If something burns out in unit or unit does not work.. the blame is not on me. The latest units have all kinds of circuit boards to wire up. LINE 1 and LINE 2 is all I want to know about.
 
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