Wiring question…

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Dandy Darian

Dandy Darian

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Location
Gloucester County VA
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Hey fellas…. So I’m trying to figure out how to wire a GFCI receptacle what does line and load mean on the back of the device?


I’m just kidding, so I’m running power for a 2
Level wheelchair lift. I have my conduit all set and next week I’ll be pulling wire. Only specs the homeowner has for me is that it’s a 240v lift…. I can’t find much online and I’d rather get insight from this you all on this forum. Like I said I’m just supplying power then the V.A. is installing the lift/load side hookup for the it. Anyone ever install a 240v wheelchair lift before? Tryna figure out if it needs a neutral, ballpark circuit ampacity, as well if they are cord plug in or hardwired with a disconnect… only going back to this job one more time (hopefully). Let it rip sparkies!
 
Since the lift is a motor, I’m thinking you’ll need to check it’s nameplate specs assuming it has one.

Choose wire ampacity according to the FLC table in NEC book according to the motors horsepower. Conductor is sized 1.25% of FLC. wire Temperature termination And ambient temp considered. Short and ground fault Breaker is sized here

Then there is over overload protection in case motor jams or locked rotor current to be protected. Usually, smaller motors have this as thermal protection integral to the motor and is not needed to be added. But if not starters with proper sized heaters are used.
 
I wouldn't do anything until I got the specs on the chair lift. No use in going to install it if you don't know what to bring. Just because someone has installed a 240V lift, that doesn't mean the current is the same, or a grounded/neutral needed. It shouldn't be a problem for them to give you the specs.
 
Well sir that’s my problem, I have no information on the equipment nor can I get any until the VA comes by to install it. Homeowner wants the line out before hand so they can hookup the load side later.
 
Little Bill said:
I wouldn't do anything until I got the specs on the chair lift. No use in going to install it if you don't know what to bring. Just because someone has installed a 240V lift, that doesn't mean the current is the same, or a grounded/neutral needed. It shouldn't be a problem for them to give you the specs.
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Yeah I get that, like I said above I just wanted to get some insight on some setups others have done before.
 
Dandy Darian said:
Yeah I get that, like I said above I just wanted to get some insight on some setups others have done before.
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But it’s apparently borderline impossible to get specs on what equipment the V.A. is supplying. Talked to the customer 3 weeks ago about the job and asked him to get some info on it. Then comeback today and he says that nobody can give him an answer. I’m not a fan of this situation at all.
 
ActionDave said:
I predict it will need a 20A circuit max, have a plug in pig tail or a flexible whip and all you need to do is get a junction box within a foot of the equipment.
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I agree.
What I've started doing for unknown 20a equipment (if it's 120v or 240v, if it needs a neutral or not) is run a 12/3-g (if it's NM) and land on a 2 pole breaker.

That way everything is there already, and device is the only variable left.
 
Dandy Darian said:
... Homeowner wants the line out beforehand so they can hookup the load side later.
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We can't always get what we want.
This is a people problem, not a technical question. Does he really expect you to install something without knowing what needs to be installed?

You also don't know what control stations need to be installed, if any. E-stop at the top & bottom of the stairway? Disconnect within sight? Child-proof key lock?

I'm sure the VA doesn't do this work themselves, but contracts the work out to independent installers. If you can find out who that is, they might be able to tell you what you need. If not, you'll either need to guess and risk needing to rip it out and install it again, insist on having a specification before installing anything and put up with the ho's whining, or schedule your final installation for the same day as the other installer.

There's no benefit to having the line installed in advance; the machine's not usable until everything's in place.
 
drcampbell said:
There's no benefit to having the line installed in advance; the machine's not usable until everything's in place.
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Except that the lift installers usually won't schedule until power is in place. At least the ones I've dealt with. Same with elevators companies.

They want to make sure they aren't the ones making a half dozen return trips
 
Dandy Darian said:
Yeah I get that, like I said above I just wanted to get some insight on some setups others have done before.
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I get the number for the lift company and call directly to get the info.
Last one I did was 30Amp 240V it did a single floor.
 
drcampbell said:
We can't always get what we want.
This is a people problem, not a technical question. Does he really expect you to install something without knowing what needs to be installed?
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If the customer is willing to pay for an installation which might be wrong, then they can get what they are willing to pay for.

The customer could also pay the OP to research the problem. Spending hours on the phone chasing information is a valuable service that should be paid for.

Jon
 
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