Replies

1. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 30, 2008 07:24pm | #1

   In terms of legally electric it probaly is, BUT!

   From the 2005 NEC.

   "422.47 Water Heater Controls
   All storage or instantaneous-type water heaters shall be equipped with a temperaturelimiting
   means in addition to its control thermostat to disconnect all ungrounded
   conductors. Such means shall comply with both of the following:
   (1) Installed to sense maximum water temperature.
   (2) Be either a trip-free, manually reset type or a type having a replacement element.
   Such water heaters shall be marked to require the installation of a temperature and
   pressure relief valve.
   Exception No. 1: Storage water heaters that are identified as being suitable for use with
   supply water temperature of 82░C (180░F) or above and a capacity of 60 kW or above.
   Exception No. 2: Instantaneous-type water heaters that are identified as being suitable
   for such use, with a capacity of 4 L (1 gal) or less.
   FPN: See ANSI Z21.22-1999/CSA 4.4-M99, Relief Valves for Hot Water Supply Systems."

   Now I see that the unit does have a MCB (circuit breaker). But does not have or does the flyer indicate the need for a RCD (GFCI). But they do require a disconnect switch which the US would also.

   I don't have the exact wording, but the NEC talks about using appropriate and approved materials and processes. And the approval being by indepent groups.

   They don't say it, but it is understood that generally means UL, but there are a few others such as Factory Mutal.

   Now this has a number of approvals, but not by US groups or under US standards. So an inspector is very likely to question it, if this is inspected.

   As to the power, the US 240 is withing the range for 230 equipment. In fact the 230 is a hormionized number to match up with old European/UK standards that ranged from 220 to 240.

   And In the UK there are several different grounding standards and they are being changed and I don't know the details.

   Bascially the hot and neutral for equipment like this are just the name for 2 terminals. In the US for COMMON RESIDENTIAL service you have split phase with a centertapped transformer that is the neutral (the grounded conductor) so that the hot (to neutral) is 120 and the difference between the 2 hot legs is 240.

   In places where 230 is common and there is no 120 there is no centertap on the transformer and one terminal is bonded to the ground and is the neutral and the other terminal is the 230 to the neutral.

   I notice that they require a 2 pole disconnect so from that standpoint it does not matter which type if system it is connected to.

   You need to make an electrical inspection verify tht the neutral connection is isolated from any of the metal parts and that there is (or can be added) a place for a ground (earth connection).

   BTW, I did not convert the pressure and flow charts to see how usable this unit is.

   .
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
1. 
   DanH | Sep 30, 2008 07:27pm | #2

   I would think that there would be a problem because it's not a "listed" device.
   Corporation: n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. --Ambrose Bierce

1. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 30, 2008 07:55pm | #3

   "90.4 Enforcement
   This Code is intended to be suitable for mandatory application by governmental bodies
   that exercise legal jurisdiction over electrical installations, including signaling and
   communications systems, and for use by insurance inspectors. The authority having
   jurisdiction for enforcement of the Code has the responsibility for making interpretations
   of the rules, for deciding on the approval of equipment and materials, and for granting the
   special permission contemplated in a number of the rules.By special permission, the authority having jurisdiction may waive specific requirements
   in this Code or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives
   can be achieved by establishing and maintaining effective safety.This Code may require new products, constructions, or materials that may not yet be
   available at the time the Code is adopted. In such event, the authority having jurisdiction
   may permit the use of the products, constructions, or materials that comply with the most
   recent previous edition of this Code adopted by the jurisdiction."From the commentary in the Handbook for this section."Some localities do not adopt the NEC, but even in those localities, installations that
   comply with the current Code are prima facie evidence that the electrical installation is
   safe.
   Section 90.4 advises that all materials and equipment used under the requirements of
   the Code are subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction. The text of
   90.7, 110.2, and 110.3, along with the definitions of the terms approved, identified (as
   applied to equipment), labeled, and listed, is intended to provide a basis for the
   authority having jurisdiction to make the judgments that fall within that particular area
   of responsibility.
   The phrase ``including signaling and communication systems'' was added to the 2002
   Code to emphasize that, indeed, these systems are also subject to enforcement.It is the responsibility of the authority having jurisdiction to interpret the specific rules
   of the Code. This paragraph empowers the authority having jurisdiction, using special
   permission (written consent), to permit alternative methods where specific rules are not
   established in the Code. For example, the authority having jurisdiction may waive
   specific requirements in industrial occupancies, research and testing laboratories, and
   other occupancies where the specific type of installation is not covered in the Code.This paragraph of 90.4 permits the authority having jurisdiction to waive a new Code
   requirement during the interim period between acceptance of a new edition of the NEC
   and the availability of a new product, construction, or material redesigned to comply
   with the increased safety required by the latest edition. It is difficult to establish a
   viable future effective date in each section of the NEC because the time needed to
   change existing products and standards, as well as to develop new materials and test
   methods, usually is not known at the time the latest edition of the Code is adopted.""90.7 Examination of Equipment for Safety
   For specific items of equipment and materials referred to in this Code, examinations for
   safety made under standard conditions provide a basis for approval where the record is
   made generally available through promulgation by organizations properly equipped and
   qualified for experimental testing, inspections of the run of goods at factories, and
   service-value determination through field inspections. This avoids the necessity for
   repetition of examinations by different examiners, frequently with inadequate facilities
   for such work, and the confusion that would result from conflicting reports on the
   suitability of devices and materials examined for a given purpose.
   It is the intent of this Code that factory-installed internal wiring or the construction of
   equipment need not be inspected at the time of installation of the equipment, except to
   detect alterations or damage, if the equipment has been listed by a qualified electrical
   testing laboratory that is recognized as having the facilities described in the preceding
   paragraph and that requires suitability for installation in accordance with this Code.
   FPN No. 1: See requirements in 110.3.
   FPN No. 2: Listed is defined in Article 100.
   FPN No. 3: Annex A contains an informative list of product safety standards for electrical
   equipment."Handbook:"Testing laboratories, inspection agencies, and other organizations concerned with
   product evaluation publish lists of equipment and materials that have been tested and
   meet nationally recognized standards or that have been found suitable for use in a
   specified manner. The Code does not contain detailed information on equipment or
   materials but refers to products as ``listed,'' ``labeled,'' or ``identified.'' See Article 100
   for definitions of these terms.
   NFPA does not approve, inspect, or certify any installations, procedures, equipment, or
   materials, nor does it approve or evaluate testing laboratories. In determining the
   acceptability of installations or procedures, equipment, or materials, the authority
   having jurisdiction may base acceptance on compliance with NFPA or other
   appropriate standards. In the absence of such standards, the authority may require
   evidence of proper installation, procedures, or use. The authority having jurisdiction
   may also refer to the listing or labeling practices of an organization concerned with
   product evaluations that is able to determine compliance with appropriate standards for
   the current production of listed items.
   Annex A contains a list of product safety standards used for product listing. The list
   includes only product safety standards for which a listing is required by the Code. For
   example, 344.6 requires that rigid metal conduit, Type RMC, be listed. By using
   Annex A, the user finds that the listing standard for rigid metal conduit is UL 6, Rigid
   Metal Conduit. Because associated conduit fittings are required to be listed, UL 514B,
   Fittings for Cable and Conduit, is found in Annex A also."100 Definitions;"Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.""Labeled. Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other
   identifying mark of an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
   and concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production
   of labeled equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates
   compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner.""Listed. Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization
   that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of
   products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment
   or materials or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that the
   equipment, material, or services either meets appropriate designated standards or has
   been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.
   FPN: The means for identifying listed equipment may vary for each organization concerned with
   product evaluation, some of which do not recognize equipment as listed unless it is also labeled.
   Use of the system employed by the listing organization allows the authority having jurisdiction to
   identify a listed product.""110.2 Approval
   The conductors and equipment required or permitted by this Code shall be acceptable
   only if approved.""110.3 Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment
   (A) Examination In judging equipment, considerations such as the following shall be
   evaluated:
   (1) Suitability for installation and use in conformity with the provisions of this Code
   FPN: Suitability of equipment use may be identified by a description marked on or provided with
   a product to identify the suitability of the product for a specific purpose, environment, or
   application. Suitability of equipment may be evidenced by listing or labeling.
   (2) Mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and
   protect other equipment, the adequacy of the protection thus provided
   (3) Wire-bending and connection space
   (4) Electrical insulation
   (5) Heating effects under normal conditions of use and also under abnormal
   conditions likely to arise in service
   (6) Arcing effects
   (7) Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, and specific use
   (8) Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of persons using or
   likely to come in contact with the equipment.(B) Installation and Use Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in
   accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling."Handbook:"Manufacturers usually supply installation instructions with equipment for use by
   general contractors, erectors, electrical contractors, electrical inspectors, and others
   concerned with an installation. It is important to follow the listing or labeling
   installation instructions. For example, 210.52, second paragraph, permits permanently
   installed electric baseboard heaters to be equipped with receptacle outlets that meet the
   requirements for the wall space utilized by such heaters. The installation instructions
   for such permanent baseboard heaters indicate that the heaters should not be mounted
   beneath a receptacle. In dwelling units, it is common to use low-density heating units
   that measure in excess of 12 ft in length. Therefore, to meet the provisions of
   210.52(A) and also the installation instructions, a receptacle must either be part of the
   heating unit or be installed in the floor close to the wall but not above the heating unit.
   (See 210.52, FPN, and Exhibit 210.23 for more specific details.)
   In itself, 110.3 does not require listing or labeling of equipment. It does, however,
   require considerable evaluation of equipment. Section 110.2 requires that equipment be
   acceptable only if approved. The term approved is defined in Article 100 as acceptable
   to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Before issuing approval, the authority
   having jurisdiction may require evidence of compliance with 110.3(A). The most
   common form of evidence considered acceptable by authorities having jurisdiction is a
   listing or labeling by a third party.
   Some sections in the Code require listed or labeled equipment. For example, 250.8
   includes the phrase ``listed pressure connectors, listed clamps, or other listed means.''"First of all I could not find any specific thing in the NEC that requires water heaters to be LISTED. But listing is one way of satifying the inspector that the equipment is suitable for the application.And while I have not tried determining the exact requirements I see a number of approvals listed on the spec sheet and suspect that the unit is in fact LISTED.But the NEC is open enough for an inspector to not allow this, but another to allow allow someone to take a UL list coffee cup insertion and use UL listed foil (duct) tape and tape in on the end of a shower head and plug it into a UL listed entension cord that is plugged into a UL liste GFCI..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

2. 
   TWG | Oct 01, 2008 02:10pm | #4

   Thanks for the responses.  I guess the unit is viable.