Sauna - Need Help Please.

[busman]

I'll try to make this short.

Customer has a packaged IR sauna delivered. Directions say NOTHING about the electrical requirements. The unit has a 5-20P plug connected to #12 SJOOW coord. I install a dedicated 20A, 120 volt circuit with 5-20R receptacle. Customer assembles unit and it trips the breaker. I go back and measure amps - 26.8A continuous. I call salesman (unit is made overseas) and he says "just put a 30A breaker on it, we've installed tons of these and they work fine." I ask if the unit is UL listed. He says, "No, its EU listed". I ask why put a 20A plug on a unit that draws 26.8A. He claims a 5-20P is a 30A plug. It just went downhill from there.

The question, do I have the following code references correct and do you see any solution:

1) 210.21(B)(2) prohibits a 20A receptacle on a 30A branch circuit?

2) By table 400.5(A), the SJOOW with 2 current carrying conductors is rated for 25A and cannot be used for the 26.8A load.

The only solution I see is to replace the entire circuit with 30A breaker, #10 wire, 30A recpt, 30A cord and plug. Any other ideas?

As always, I greatly appreciate any input you might have.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[emahler]

Is it a good customer of yours? or just someone out of the phone book?

good customer, track down the solution from the manufacturer (not the rep) and check with the local AHJ

phone book customer - walk away and count your blessings...

 

[M. D.]

Sounds like you know what you have to do, Is there a gfci requirement??

 

[mdshunk]

There's a lot of this hottub/whirlpool tub/steam generator/sauna crap showing up with no listing that is valid in the US. Here's how I handle it. I wire up a receptacle for it and make sure I get paid. Then, call for inspection and make sure I tell the inspector that the unit that is intended to be plugged in not properly listed. Takes me completely out of the loop then.

 

[M. D.]

I just rerad some installation instructions for listed IR saunas, and after reading them the other posts ,... I say don't touch the thing .
You installed the propper size circuit for the attachment plug. If you touch this thing you will own it and anything that happens in it.

 

[busman]

All,

Thanks for the quick answers. So the consensus is that that I have read and interpreted the code correctly on items (1) and (2). This is a long-time customer of mine. I really hate to tell her she is SOL. I try to only give you guys/gals the tough ones.

Mark