Water Heater...

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1793

1793

Senior Member
Location
Louisville, Kentucky
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Inspector
I would like to hear from others as to who is responsible for replacing water heater elements, plumber or electrician?

I would conclude that it falls under the electrical side.

Looking forward to replies.

Norb
 
Re: Water Heater...

I feel that plumbers with the appropriate training can handle the job themselves without having to involve an electrician.

Besides, my supply houses didn't carry replacement elements, the plumbers supply house however did.

[ December 21, 2005, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: bphgravity ]
 
Re: Water Heater...

if this is a federal govt job then you need two electricians, one plumber, a supervisor and a inspector.

if not , then it is who gets there first.
 
Re: Water Heater...

In the state of North Carolina and other states I would hope, it is illegal for a plumber that has not taken and passed the required exam to change an element in a water heater.
This license is Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning (SP-PH), and can be found here.
 
Re: Water Heater...

Mike I am not sure of the actual law here in MA but in practice HVAC Techs, Plumbers, oil burner techs can make repairs on the load side of the disconnecting means.

I think Bill A. has said the same thing is true in NY.

An HVAC guy can replace a compressor, the oil burner guy can replace the controls etc. I think a key part of this is replace not install
 
Re: Water Heater...

jwelectric, what do signs have to do with water heaters?

and when did wiring internal to equipment become part of the national code?
 
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In washington state, certified plumbers can do limited electrical work such as connecting power to a replacment water heater, and certified electricians can do limited plumbing work, such as connecting water supply lines to a water heater.
 
Re: Water Heater...

somebody please tell me what code article says that something internal to the appliance is covered under the NEC?
 
Re: Water Heater...

unless you are getting paid by the hour, let the plumbers have it :)
in these parts, no one seems to want the task. time consuming (if you wait to see if thermostats work, etc.) most homeowners seem to get upset at the bill even it reflects actual time. often wondered if the best route might be just replace both elements and the thermostats and drive off. quicker ??
 
Re: Water Heater...

Originally posted by jbwhite:
somebody please tell me what code article says that something internal to the appliance is covered under the NEC?
Click to expand...
I have been thinking about your question and realized in MA being covered or not by the NEC is not the relevant issue for needing a license to perform electric work.

CHAPTER 141. SUPERVISION OF ELECTRICIANS

Chapter 141: Section 1A Licensure requirement; exceptions

Section 1A. No person, firm or corporation shall enter into, engage in, or work at the business or occupation of installing wires, conduits, apparatus, devices, fixtures, or other appliances for carrying or using electricity for light, heat, power, fire warning or security system purposes, unless such person, firm or corporation shall be licensed by the state examiners of electricians......
Click to expand...
 
Re: Water Heater...

i wire , the national code ends at the premise wireing ... it does not include the internal wireing to an appliance. like your microwave, stove, hair dryer, or hot water heater.
 
Re: Water Heater...

So just what is a water heater ? An electric appliance or a water appliance.What is the more riskier of the 2 situations.Either we allow the plumber to do electric or the electrician to do plumbing.Either way we have one trade thats not licensed.Might just as well allow the handyman to do both.Is a permit required ? A simple $150 water heater could easily end up costing $500 or more
 
Re: Water Heater...

Originally posted by jbwhite:
i wire , the national code ends at the premise wireing ... it does not include the internal wireing to an appliance. like your microwave, stove, hair dryer, or hot water heater.
Click to expand...
No kidding :)

[ December 21, 2005, 07:14 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: Water Heater...

ok so iwire, if i were in your state i could not carry my toaster into a shop to get it fixed?
 
Re: Water Heater...

I could not see a electronic repairman having to get a electrician's licenses to do work on a appliance? I can see this if it had to do with connecting it to the premise wiring system, but to require this to change a bad connection in a TV, radio, microwave?

Bob your section 1A only states it covers the
installing wires, conduits, apparatus, devices, fixtures, or other appliances for carrying or using electricity for light, heat, power,
Click to expand...
I don't think this would include the maintenance or repair of an appliance?
Changing a water heater element is a repair, just like changing a motor on a washer would be.
I would think that your state might require a certain licenses to be able to do certain repair work, but I would think that would be under a different licenses?
Could you imagine a HVAC man not being able to repair a furance if a electric heating element went out?
If this is true in MA. I would say it is a bad law. :confused:
 
Re: Water Heater...

Originally posted by jbwhite:
ok so iwire, if i were in your state i could not carry my toaster into a shop to get it fixed?
Click to expand...
I posted the law, take a look at it. :)

I doubt the appliance repair man is 'installing' toasters for hire.

This still has to do with where the NEC stops or starts.

The NEC is not involved with licensing.
 
Re: Water Heater...

my point exactly iwire..

one does not need an electrical licence to fix an appliance, be it a water heater or toaster.

other laws may apply... but not the NEC>
 
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