Safety switches in series?

[jvitello611]

Sorry for the multiple posts of this thread. I am new to this forum and just put this one in the "general discussion" area as well.

Can two safety switches be wired in series ? Air handler for a heat pump (with AC coil) is mounted horizontally in an attic. There is an existing float type safetly switch installed on the side of the catch pan under the unit. The old gravity type drain is being replaced with a condensate pump (with a built in safley switch). Can both safety switches be wired in series or will there be some sort of voltage drop or other problem ? I could also wire another float type saftey switch to the side of the pan (seperate) in which the condensate pump is being placed. Thanks in advance for any input. John

[coolguysfl]

Sorry John, this is not a DIY site.

They are called SAFETY devices for a reason -- an error here could cause more harm than good.

I would strongly suggest you employ a competent contractor.

[harry54]

safety switches can be wired in series.

[gsxrsquid]

personally I think they SHOULD be wired in series

[mark beiser]

If they are all being used to break the same circuit, they MUST be wired in series.

[bsharp]

Why use a condensate pump in an attic?

[bwnichols]

The float for the condensate pump is very likely the switch that turns it on -- not a safety switch. If so then it is a low-voltage switch integral to the unit, and should not be jury-rigged for any other purpose.

Simpler and more reliable than a safety switch to shut off the heat pump is an overflow drain from the pan, exiting outside in a location where if it is dripping it will be noticed. Even better, as a previous poster alluded to, re-pipe the gravity drain to an inconspicuous location and get rid of the condensate pump altogether, as someday it will fail.

[gsxrsquid]

BW:

condensate pumps are set up with a float to operate the pump and a separate safety switch. the power from the transformer should go through this switch first so if the pump fails it will kill power to controls until help arrives.

[vtinknocker]

condensate pump in a attic bad idea.:( Would be better off staying with the gravity drain and putting in an e=ztrap with a saftey switch:)

[totaleclipse]

I agree, I dont like pumps in attics. I have had to do it once, and I put the pump in a dedicated pan, with a decicated float switch. And yes, all the floats were wired to cut off the condenser incase of an over flow.

[AIR PRO]

I agree, I dont like pumps in attics. I have had to do it once, and I put the pump in a dedicated pan, with a decicated float switch. And yes, all the floats were wired to cut off the condenser incase of an over flow.


You want the float switch to shut the entire system down not just break yellow.

[beenthere]

If you can find a way not to use a condensate pump in the attic your better off.

As far as how to wire it.

This is NOT a DIY site.

[Milk man]

You want the float switch to shut the entire system down not just break yellow.
I break the yellow. Because if HO is out of town the strip heats will still work and not freeze the house. Not that it usually matters in the winter because of no condensate. I would hate a defective safety switch to freeze pipes.