HVAC Wiring Question
Long story short (kinda)lol. We had a heating company here to replace
a squirrel cage fan motor on 2-8-7, and at 1am on 2-14 we were woke
by excessive noise from the furnace. A quick inspection revealed that
the fan had walked/shifted from it's original location and was making
contact with the fan's housing/ductwork. My assistant tried moving
the fan away from the ductwork and was badly shocked. Not a static
shock, but a knocked her down, dazed and confused type shock.
When the heating company came back on the 14th to fix it, they discovered
that the new "belly band" that they had installed on the 8th had broken
and this is what caused the fan to relocate. They denied any possibility
of shock, and said it would've thrown the breaker first.
Personaly, I disagree that that's a given but that's what he said.
Here is a picture of the wiring, as they left it on the 14th. Would
this be acceptible under any known legal code..?
Anyway, when he first installed the new motor we noticed immediately
that it was blowing A LOT harder, but was glad to have heat and figured
we'd get use to it.
When he came back to fix it we mentioned the notible speed difference
and he said it was because "he had set it on high, but could lower the speed
if we'd like". He then set the speed on low, which seemed only
slightly higher than it was before the motor replacement.
My questions are: could the motor being set on high speed have caused
excessive vibration, and possibly the cause of this "belly band"
breaking? The heating co. owner tried to say it was a faulty part, and
laughed when I suggested this may be the case.
Because we had to shut the furnace down with a blazing hot fire, it
toasted the limit switch inside the plenum.
He said it was up to me to contact the manufacturer of the belly
band, and they were in no way liable.
I feel that they supplied and installed the part, and it's their job
to contact the mfg..
What say ye, professional and non-professional alike?
a squirrel cage fan motor on 2-8-7, and at 1am on 2-14 we were woke
by excessive noise from the furnace. A quick inspection revealed that
the fan had walked/shifted from it's original location and was making
contact with the fan's housing/ductwork. My assistant tried moving
the fan away from the ductwork and was badly shocked. Not a static
shock, but a knocked her down, dazed and confused type shock.
When the heating company came back on the 14th to fix it, they discovered
that the new "belly band" that they had installed on the 8th had broken
and this is what caused the fan to relocate. They denied any possibility
of shock, and said it would've thrown the breaker first.
Personaly, I disagree that that's a given but that's what he said.
Here is a picture of the wiring, as they left it on the 14th. Would
this be acceptible under any known legal code..?
Anyway, when he first installed the new motor we noticed immediately
that it was blowing A LOT harder, but was glad to have heat and figured
we'd get use to it.
When he came back to fix it we mentioned the notible speed difference
and he said it was because "he had set it on high, but could lower the speed
if we'd like". He then set the speed on low, which seemed only
slightly higher than it was before the motor replacement.
My questions are: could the motor being set on high speed have caused
excessive vibration, and possibly the cause of this "belly band"
breaking? The heating co. owner tried to say it was a faulty part, and
laughed when I suggested this may be the case.
Because we had to shut the furnace down with a blazing hot fire, it
toasted the limit switch inside the plenum.
He said it was up to me to contact the manufacturer of the belly
band, and they were in no way liable.
I feel that they supplied and installed the part, and it's their job
to contact the mfg..
What say ye, professional and non-professional alike?
0
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Sounds like they won't stand behind their work. You could drop the issue or harrass them all the way to court. It is up to you.
I would find a new company.0 -
Faulk Pluming and Heating 0 -
If it was me that did the work, I would warranty my work, and then I would deal with the part supplier. But that's just me. I was raised to be honest. 0 -
Faulty work.
I would take care of my customer. I am an HVAC contractor and I warranty my labor. He should have set the blower speed on low for heating as a standard procedure and confirmed it with you.
The cover should be on the junction box.
How can he expect you to get HVAC parts as a customer?
I would definitly report him to the local licensing authority.
He didn't tighten the blower set screw on the motor shaft causing it to rub the housing. The resulting vibration might contribute to the broken bracket.
As far as shocking- The unit sounds like it is not grounded properly and the motor wires are contacting the housing somewhere.
You should never get shocked from a furnace if it is grounded,
The breaker should trip first.
Tell contractor to make it right and let him know he is being reported.
Then find a reputable contractor anyway.
Good luck!
Did I mention- report him?0 -
Part II
Don't let your assistant work on your furnace!
A trained professional would know to turn disconnect electrical power BEFORE attempting to service the equipment- especially a blower wheel that could cut a finger off.
You are assuming liability as well.
The shock could have come from the capacitor that is shown in the picture. It is not nomally covered but, taped over on the terminals.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Topkick
Part II
Don't let your assistant work on your furnace!
A trained professional would know to turn disconnect electrical power BEFORE attempting to service the equipment- especially a blower wheel that could cut a finger off.
You are assuming liability as well.
The shock could have come from the capacitor that is shown in the picture. It is not nomally covered but, taped over on the terminals.
I think TC nailed (the shock) it with the cap discharge, that does give you a good jolt!
That open j-box is no good, I'd find a new hvac guy.
Don0 -
Thanks for the replies guys. I do believe I'll be looking further
into this, as it really burns me when service business' expect to be
held harmless..regarding their sevice. Thanks again.0 -
Topkick
Has it right.0 -
Bout had it with these sapsuckers, the "belly band" broke again a couple nights ago. GRRRRRRRRR!!!![:(!][:(!][:(!]
Edited to add: I did have a different co. do the repairs this time.[:)]0 -
ask swamp thing. he's an hvac guy. 0
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