Condensate Switch Codes and Practices w/ James Bowman

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Bryan Orr

Training, Careers, Airconditioning, Self-improvement, Hvac, Business, Education, Refrigeration, Heating, Ac, Apprenticeship

4.8 • 985 Ratings

🗓️ 2 August 2017

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

James Bowman of Rectorseal returns to the podcast to discuss condensate switch codes and some best practices to comply with the codes.

The humble condensate switch actually has installation standards; although there isn't a "law" about the codes, many areas follow and enforce the contents of the International Mechanical Code (IMC). Some states, including Florida, also adopt elements of the IMC and amend it to create a set of guidelines for the state.

The IMC has widely-enforced code 307.2.3.1, which states that water-level monitoring devices must be installed in the primary drain pan; the device shall shut off the equipment. This code applies to downflow units and all other coils that don't have a secondary drain pan or provisions to install an auxiliary drain pan. The code also states that devices installed in the drain line are not permitted. However, code 307 is actually NOT saying that you can't install a switch in the secondary port at all; there are four different ways to comply with the code without installing a condensate switch in the primary drain pan.

Switches must comply with UL 508. However, there are plenty of non-compliant switches on the market. These may even say that they "conform" to UL 508. Compliant switches will generally not short out when dropped in water, but it's up to us to make sure we're using code-compliant switches.

If you're installing a float switch, be sure to follow the instructions; that's usually the best way to comply with local codes and protect the equipment. As always, make sure you test the switch before you leave the job site.

James and Bryan also discuss:

Mini-split drain considerations
Float switches in the primary drain line
Piping auxiliary floats
Testing safety switches for heating equipment
Drain pitch
Rectorseal condensate switches
Keeping redundancy in mind
Condensate switches for RTU and ductless units

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of the HVAC School podcast is made possible by our sponsors,
0:10.9	Testo, Carrier, and Rector Seal.
0:14.1	And so for these companies, Carrier Testo, Rector Seal,
0:17.0	that partner with us, I want to just remind you
0:20.2	that that means that they're the ones that make this possible.
0:23.0	This podcast, the daily tech tips that we send out via email and post online,
0:28.0	the Facebook group, the Facebook page,
0:30.0	everything that we do, as you've probably noticed, we produce a lot of content here at
0:34.3	HVAC school. We put out a lot of stuff. And the idea is that we're going to kind of trickle
0:38.9	it out to technicians, so you get a little bit of something every day, something that you can
0:42.4	kind of think about or chew on. It's a little bit of something every day, something that you can kind of think about or chew on.
0:43.8	It's a little easier for you to get it that way than it is to get it in these gigantic books.
0:48.1	It's hard to sit down and read, say for example, refrigeration air conditioning technology,
0:52.4	even though it's a fantastic book because it's so much at one time
0:55.8	And so these these sponsors testo carrier rector seal they're the ones who really make this thing go and And of course also recently we've had Parker and the
1:05.1	Zoomlock tool come on and you're going to hear a little bit more about that in just
1:07.9	a second. Those of you who are in the industry and you see these tools or you see
1:12.3	these products don't discount the fact that they're making an investment
1:15.6	and you and in the industry by partnering with us.
1:19.0	I couldn't do this for free the way that I do if it wasn't for these brands who partner with us
1:24.6	and make it possible. So that's off to them. I believe in these products. I believe in
1:29.3	these companies and I'm very thankful to them for partnering with the industry
	...

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