What about rain water? What does the installation manual say about where to run the electrical? I would be surprised to see that it says that is acceptable.
This is a facilities director at a health care facility we've done a installation on where we had to replace the system there previous system due to the bottom of the unit rusting out from being close to salt and the obvious condensation produced off the suction line coming from the evaporator, the holes in the unit were so large they were allowing water to flow into the building steadily.
He is trying to state that it's from the way we've installed it due to the conduit having to come through the bottom of the unit however this was the way the existing system was and the only way we could bring the electrical from the panel to a disconnect. His statement is... that the conduit is producing stress on the base of the unit allowing the water to be pitched in that direction and pool however from the photo I cannot see this as likely nor plausible. I would assume it is just condensation from the suction line, I proposed possibly insulating the suction line and maybe using a weather proofing sealant on the base of the equipment at an attempt to satisfy the customer just to keep the account happy. The equipment will not last forever naturally no matter what you do and it is designed to be outside as it does happen to rain quite frequently in Florida and there will be moisture regardless.
so what I’m asking here for is any advice or insight on what I can tell the customer to make him happy, and if you think that his complaint is even remotely plausible ( I haven't been able to look for myself yet and basing it only on the picture ). I've already contacted carrier for advice as well.
Any replies are much appreciated thanks,
What about rain water? What does the installation manual say about where to run the electrical? I would be surprised to see that it says that is acceptable.
According to the installation manual there is a " through the base " option in which it comes with a slightly raised peice with stainless steel connections. I will for future installations quote and order equipment with that option. the entry for the electrical was made with a metal hole saw kit and the connections is a seal tight connector to a romex 90... I've see electrical through the unit like this numerous times so I never thought there to be a problem with it. Our techncian stated that he has also sealed around the fittings with silocone.
let me know if you feel this is acceptable given that the unit is already installed, I appreciate honesty.
I have seen theses installs , you could have electrical come out of roof .I had one we rerouted and had a pitch pocket for electrical and unit still leaked covered up rtu and shut off it was the roof , if pans are rusting i would try epoxy paint ,costly .
If that is an OEM base entry point there is no room for argument. In a case like that I would have ran the sealtite through one side of the curb into the disconnect then to the electrical compartment. This was done many times before one city decided to make it official and add it to their code. I never like to work on a unit with live power lines passing through all that sheetmetal and for one reason or another they are always where I am working.
Seen many of them brought through the base when the raised section was not there and nothing but water issues. My fix usually involved a small roof flashing tarred down and then filled around the conduit or a portal if space allows.
polyurathane caulk will cure problem, don't rely on silicone for that application.
Since you are not using the Carrier accessory pass-through, the need here is to create an equivalent idea.
I'd condsider a weatherproof box sealed to the bottom pan to which a sealtite ell would be attached, along with the existing sealtite to the power and controls area.
Not just a box, but a weatherproof box, rated and listed for wet locations.
Yes, it is both rain and condensation from the suction line and the exposed end of the evaporator that is getting through there. In a salty environment, I'd seriously think about coating that pan with an anti-corrosive coating.
[Avatar photo from a Florida training accident. Everyone walked away.]
2 Tim 3:16-17
RSES CMS, HVAC Electrical Specialist
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