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06-30-2008, 05:43 PM
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Member
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 18
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Gas Water Htr electrical
The blower for this water heater is plugged into a receptacle. Is there anything wrong with this? I was thinking that it should be hardwired - but maybe I am just getting confused with the requirement that extension cords not be used for permanent installations.
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06-30-2008, 06:12 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 6,640
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Peter,
Looks like that came with cord and plug from the factory. Which means it is not only allowed, but that cutting the cord and plug off and hard wiring it would not be allowed ... unless it was dual rated, you would need to see the installation instructions to find that out.
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06-30-2008, 09:45 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chico,Ca
Posts: 20
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
The connector is for MC cable,doubt it's rated for flexable cords.
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06-30-2008, 11:26 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Camp Verde, Arizona
Posts: 399
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
So Jerry, I wan't to get this straight, An electric water heater is an "unattended appliance" and can't be plugged in, but a gas water heater isn't an "unattended appliance" and can be plugged in...?
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07-01-2008, 04:32 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Posts: 314
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Why is there a 'blower' on a water heater?
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07-01-2008, 04:46 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Southborough, MA
Posts: 912
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Richard Stanley
Why is there a 'blower' on a water heater?
Power vent
__________________
Dave
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07-01-2008, 08:36 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 6,640
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Rollie Meyers
The connector is for MC cable,doubt it's rated for flexable cords.
Rollie,
There's no room in there for MC cable. Just enough room in there for that cord. |
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07-01-2008, 08:40 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 6,640
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Fritz Kelly
So Jerry, I wan't to get this straight, An electric water heater is an "unattended appliance" and can't be plugged in,
Correct, an electric water heater of that size cannot be plugged in, but not for that reason.
but a gas water heater isn't an "unattended appliance" and can be plugged in...?
Again, starting off on the wrong premise, it is not 'attended' or 'unattended', and, in one you are referencing the water heater itself and in the other you are referencing a listed and labeled component to a system.
*IF* (and it probably is) that fan is a listed and labeled component and is approved for use with that cord and plug (it probably is), then it is acceptable ... "110.3(B) Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling." |
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07-01-2008, 08:56 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Reno, Nv.
Posts: 115
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
That truly does look like the wrong sort of connector. Even the 2-screw MC/NM connectors that are rated for flexible cords assume a round cord - no the flat one shown. There's definitely something funky about that arrangement.
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07-01-2008, 09:12 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Southborough, MA
Posts: 912
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Peter. Do you have the make,model and serial number of the unit. You could goggle it and get the Install Manual.
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Dave
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07-01-2008, 09:14 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 6,640
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by John Steinke
That truly does look like the wrong sort of connector. Even the 2-screw MC/NM connectors that are rated for flexible cords assume a round cord - no the flat one shown.
And that's not "even the 2-screw" type.
That looks like a specialty made cord clamp.
Look at the size and shape of the cord and the size and shape of the opening in the clamp. They match. |
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07-01-2008, 09:43 AM
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Member
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 18
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Dave,
Its a Rheem Ruud power vent and I did try Googling but had only found spec sheets and brochures which did not include the installation requirements. I may have given up too soon. Anyway, its a rental unit - which is quite common around here - so any problem would be that of the rental company. (I don't expect a problem anyway - was just curious generally about installing a permanent appliance with a plug-in connector)
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07-01-2008, 10:01 AM
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Member
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 18
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Question answered -
I had found a Care and Use guide on Rheem's site but didn't open it as I thought it was a homeowner's guide (I did open the spec sheet but it didn't have the answer). Anyway, I went back and checked the Care Manual and a diagram shows a plug-in cord dangling from the fan unit. The text states to use the supplied power cord "if local codes permit".
Last edited by Peter Wigle : 07-01-2008 at 10:21 AM.
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07-01-2008, 10:10 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 6,640
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Peter Wigle
Dave,
Its a Rheem Ruud power vent and I did try Googling but had only found spec sheets and brochures which did not include the installation requirements. I may have given up too soon.
Peter,
The installation instructions are part of the Use and Care instructions. 
http://waterheating.rheem.com/conten...rVent75Gas.pdf
Wow (underlining is mine) - "NOTICE: Do not install the water heater in attics where the temperature may exceed 100°F. This water heater is equipped with a temperature sensing device that will shut off the water heater if the maximum allowable vent pipe temperature is exceeded."
The figure on page 9 shows the blower cord-and-plug connected.
Page 12 shows the blower assembly in a little larger detail.
I did not see anything in large enough detail to show that clamp, however, it does show it as cord-and-plug connected. |
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07-01-2008, 06:38 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chico,Ca
Posts: 20
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Jerry Peck
And that's not "even the 2-screw" type.
That looks like a specialty made cord clamp.
Look at the size and shape of the cord and the size and shape of the opening in the clamp. They match.
It's a Metal Clad cable connector,not a cord connector, manuf. is prob. AFC Systems. |
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07-01-2008, 06:59 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Memphis TN.
Posts: 1,401
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Jerry Peck
Originally Posted by Rollie Meyers
It's a Metal Clad cable connector,not a cord connector, manuf. is prob. AFC Systems.
.
Page 17 from the above link. 
.
__________________
It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.
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07-01-2008, 07:29 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 6,640
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Rollie Meyers
It's a Metal Clad cable connector,not a cord connector, manuf. is prob. AFC Systems.
Rollie,
You keep saying that, but there is no way you are going to fit an MC cable into that small hole in that strain relief.
Have you looked at it in the photo?
I'm not from Missouri, but you'll have to "show me" a listing and photo showing that is for MC cable to make a believer out of me. |
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07-01-2008, 08:42 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chico,Ca
Posts: 20
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Jerry Peck
Rollie,
You keep saying that, but there is no way you are going to fit an MC cable into that small hole in that strain relief.
Have you looked at it in the photo?
I'm not from Missouri, but you'll have to "show me" a listing and photo showing that is for MC cable to make a believer out of me.
I have used the very same MC connector....
Edit It's not AFC though. |
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07-02-2008, 06:11 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ormond Beach, Florida
Posts: 6,640
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Re: Gas Water Htr electrical
Originally Posted by Rollie Meyers
I have used the very same MC connector....
My guess is that you've used one "similar to" it.
So have I.
The difference (basically) between "that very same" one and a "similar" one is that the one in the photo *does not have an opening large enough* for MC cable.
I've searched the internet and have been unable to find *THAT* connector. If you can find it, please post it.
Thank you. |
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07-02-2008, 07:14 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Reno, Nv.
Posts: 115
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