Thread: Pressure gauge on the top of A/C electric box?

Has anybody seen this before?
What is the purpose of this?

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I am going to guess that is a pressure gauge used for pressure testing gas piping, and that it's location at that disconnect indicates that there is a gas line right there too.

Being as that is likely the supply end of the piping, the piping is likely not being used (no gas in the piping).

Thanks, Jerry.

There is gas line adjacent to the box. It is hard for me to guess there is an additional piping inside the box.

Originally Posted by Mike Tao

It is hard for me to guess there is an additional piping inside the box.

Mike,

Shouldn't be ANYTHING ELSE in that disconnect enclosure other than the conductors feeding it and the conductors leaving it ... especially NOT gas.

What did you find inside when you opened that and removed the dead front cover?

I suspect the gas pipe is sticking up from behind that disconnect - the disconnect looks furred out, so there may be space for the gas pipe behind it but ... that really is a dumb a$$ place to put that disconnect (the gas pipe was likely roughed in before that disconnect was set, possibly even before the wiring to the disconnect location was installed.

Gas leaking and ignition sparks from electrical makes for nice, big, fireballs!

I had to laugh to myself after seeing this and the pontifications...

The simple answer is usually the right one.

My simple answer is they set the test gauge down on top of the disconnect after taking it off of the gas line below. It is not connected to anything, it is likely just stuck there with a generous dollop of pipe dope dripping off of the threads.

When open. nothing special. Thanks for your suggestions.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Mike,

Shouldn't be ANYTHING ELSE in that disconnect enclosure other than the conductors feeding it and the conductors leaving it ... especially NOT gas.

What did you find inside when you opened that and removed the dead front cover?

I suspect the gas pipe is sticking up from behind that disconnect - the disconnect looks furred out, so there may be space for the gas pipe behind it but ... that really is a dumb a$$ place to put that disconnect (the gas pipe was likely roughed in before that disconnect was set, possibly even before the wiring to the disconnect location was installed.

Gas leaking and ignition sparks from electrical makes for nice, big, fireballs!

- - - Updated - - -

I kind of agree with you.
I just recommend the client to ask the purpose to install the gauge over there.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

I had to laugh to myself after seeing this and the pontifications...

The simple answer is usually the right one.

My simple answer is they set the test gauge down on top of the disconnect after taking it off of the gas line below. It is not connected to anything, it is likely just stuck there with a generous dollop of pipe dope dripping off of the threads.

- - - Updated - - -

0.8 psi

Originally Posted by Kevin Wood

Set at 1 psi.

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

I had to laugh to myself after seeing this and the pontifications...

The simple answer is usually the right one.

My simple answer is they set the test gauge down on top of the disconnect after taking it off of the gas line below. It is not connected to anything, it is likely just stuck there with a generous dollop of pipe dope dripping off of the threads.

You are quite possibly correct ... would not be the first time I have seen a gauge for gas or water pressure testing which is stuck and does not go back to "0". I made the presumption that the gauge was connected, otherwise there would not be a question about the gauge being there ... so I thought ... as I say ... I've been wrong before - many times, and I will most definitely be wrong again - also many more times.

I would be embarrassed to put into a report that someone should ask why the gauge was there.
First of all, it should be painfully obvious if its connected to a pipe or not.
Second, I would think it would be highly unlikely a pipe would be installed so that it would terminate at the top of an electrical disconnect.
Third, seeing something this odd, would beg me to at least try to move it, or investigate further. Opening the disconnect would confirm there wasn't a pipe inside.

My WAG is when they pressure tested the gas piping, someone left the gauge on top of the nearby disconnect, and forgot to take it with them.

And its not even April 1.

I should be embarrassed. But I am honest if I really do not know.

Fortunately, my teacher just told me that:

I think this is a gas line test valve setting on top of the HVAC disconnect.
This valve is installed temporarily to water and gas line during building or installation inspections and often discarded

Since this is for a new building, I am still waiting for the reply from the builder.
A few days later, I inspected another house in the same area built by the same builder.
There is no such gauge on the top of HVAC disconnect box.

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

I would be embarrassed to put into a report that someone should ask why the gauge was there.
First of all, it should be painfully obvious if its connected to a pipe or not.
Second, I would think it would be highly unlikely a pipe would be installed so that it would terminate at the top of an electrical disconnect.
Third, seeing something this odd, would beg me to at least try to move it, or investigate further. Opening the disconnect would confirm there wasn't a pipe inside.

My WAG is when they pressure tested the gas piping, someone left the gauge on top of the nearby disconnect, and forgot to take it with them.

And its not even April 1.

I agree with Jim. When I see weird things like that I take the time to investigate. It saves some embarrassment.

Wow . lots of conclusions with out facts

Could this be a test ?
Why would it have to be measuring a fuel gas and not refrigerant or water maybe even atmospheric differential ?

My personal guess - Test gauge with rector seal holding it onto the box

Now I have done stuff like this - but in a gas plant (compressed gas) in which I mounted a pressure switch in an enclosure and put indicator gauges on the outside but not a home

- I think we are all being put to a test here - maybe it is "Art Work"

Originally Posted by Dwight Doane

Wow . lots of conclusions with out facts

Could this be a test ?
Why would it have to be measuring a fuel gas and not refrigerant or water maybe even atmospheric differential ?

My personal guess - Test gauge with rector seal holding it onto the box

Now I have done stuff like this - but in a gas plant (compressed gas) in which I mounted a pressure switch in an enclosure and put indicator gauges on the outside but not a home ll

- I think we are all being put to a test here - maybe it is "Art Work"

Then we should find Art and give him a swift kick in the ass for wasting everyone's time.

This is one of those things that we see all the time, where you have to just see "wth" is going on? If the valve seems attached, then open the box and look inside. This is either going to be nothing or something stupidly wrong.

Originally Posted by John Reddy

Then we should find Art and give him a swift kick in the ass for wasting everyone's time.

Agreed!

My first thought was the same as Jim's. It looks like someone set it in a convenient spot and then forgot it.

Mike - like others have posted... B4 you say the sky is falling - LOOK inside the disconnect.

I know the sky never falls.
Thanks any way.

Originally Posted by Dave Borowski

Mike - like others have posted... B4 you say the sky is falling - LOOK inside the disconnect.