• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

I think I found the problem. (Electrical)

B

bczoom

Super Moderator
Staff member
USMC Veteran
GOLD Patron
Had a circuit breaker started tripping so I guessed on where the issue may be. Pretty sure my guess was correct. Not sure if it's just me but this receptacle doesn't look quite right so I replaced it. It's for the sewer pump and is in that damp area.

A more permanent fix (other than just replacing the receptacle) to be applied once all the parts are in.

Scroll for image.

















.
 

Attachments

  • CIMG0364.JPG
    CIMG0364.JPG
    271.2 KB · Views: 62
Spending 20+ years in a wet environment? (It's actually in the septic tank).

I'm going to replace the float switch which was what was plugged into it. Part arrives Monday. Replacing breaker with GFCI. Thinking about replacing receptacle with a "waterproof" but aren't those just pretty much rainproof? If it sat in a damp environment, wont the dampness seep into the box?
 
bczoom said:
Spending 20+ years in a wet environment? (It's actually in the septic tank).

I'm going to replace the float switch which was what was plugged into it. Part arrives Monday. Replacing breaker with GFCI. Thinking about replacing receptacle with a "waterproof" but aren't those just pretty much rainproof? If it sat in a damp environment, wont the dampness seep into the box?
Click to expand...

actually,.......... if this one operated properly for 20 years,............ I would replace it with the exact same thing
 
Use a single outlet instead of a duplex and put it in a waetherproof enclosure.

Less exposure to the moisture

I wouldn't put the gfci in that enviornment put a gfci breaker in the panel or put the gfci outlet in a dry place and feed the septic tank outlet from that.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    60.3 KB · Views: 52
jim slagle said:
Use a single outlet instead of a duplex and put it in a waetherproof enclosure.

Less exposure to the moisture

I wouldn't put the gfci in that enviornment put a gfci breaker in the panel or put the gfci outlet in a dry place and feed the septic tank outlet from that.
Click to expand...
How well would a weatherproof enclosure work in there? Humidity is probably 90% at all times. I always thought of "weatherproof" as rainproof but won't moisture/humidity get in there anyway?

I'm not going to put the GFCI in there. The lid is too damn heavy (I need the tractor loader to lift it off) to reset and if it does need reset, not sure I want to put my hand in there. GFCI will be in the basement.
 
So, tell me again that an electrician installed an electrical duplex outlet in a septic tank. Then tell me someone is going to DIY again.
 
Kane said:
So, tell me again that an electrician installed an electrical duplex outlet in a septic tank. Then tell me someone is going to DIY again.
Click to expand...
That setup is common around here.

This is the setup.
iu


This is the float switch with the piggyback plug that the pump plugs into.
8411d1359225691-sump-pump-wont-stop-running-float-switch.jpg
 
bczoom said:
That setup is common around here.

This is the setup.
iu


This is the float switch with the piggyback plug that the pump plugs into.
8411d1359225691-sump-pump-wont-stop-running-float-switch.jpg
Click to expand...
If we study Diagram 3, we'll see that the pump is hardwired, with a wire coil long enough to remove the pump from the tank for servicing. There is certainly no "duplex outlet" shown, and we can only presume that a proper ground fault connection at or near the circuit breaker board, inside the domicile.

The float/pigtail device you show is really nice. But it is for other applications (see the float on/off/alarm points in Diagram 3). Whoever did the original pump installation took, shall we say, some liberties. Feel free to do it again and just let your heirs or the next homeowner deal with it some day down the road.
 
Last edited:
bczoom said:
That setup is common around here.

This is the setup.
iu


This is the float switch with the piggyback plug that the pump plugs into.
8411d1359225691-sump-pump-wont-stop-running-float-switch.jpg
Click to expand...


I guess the term "Intrinsically safe"has no meaning there.

the elect plug does not have to be inside the tank, it should be run from an external receptacle through the tank wall and then properly sealed. so should the pump power wire too.


BTW, all that brown crud/stain/rust is due to the corrosive (and EXPLOSIVE) METHANE gas in the tank:doh:
 
Kane said:
If we study Diagram 3, we'll see that the pump is hardwired, with a wire coil long enough to remove the pump from the tank for servicing. There is certainly no "duplex outlet" shown, and we can only presume that a proper ground fault connection at or near the circuit breaker board, inside the domicile.
Click to expand...
Diagram 3?

I'm all for doing it right if y'all can show me what right looks like, I'll change the current setup.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top