Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Boiler writing

valencia29
valencia29 Member Posts: 7
I have a boiler with 6 zone using WHITE RODGERS 1311-102.  All to individual thermostats. And a relay RA832A.   The system only has one pump.   I was wondering if I should have the burners and pump wired to the relay or should the pump be running at all times? 

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    The circulator (pump) should never be running unless at least one zone is calling for heat (zone valve open). If you "dead-head" a circulator, it can tear itself up.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • valencia29
    valencia29 Member Posts: 7
    So do u recommend I have both the pump and burners off the line side of the relay? 
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 3,976
    edited November 2022
    Typically, pump and boiler should be on the load side.

    X-X (dry contact) of the 832A will go to your boiler. The pump gets wired to terminals 2 (neutral) and 3 (switched load).
    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    valencia29
  • valencia29
    valencia29 Member Posts: 7
     I got the T-T going to the 6 zone valves wires in parallel. Wired like this diagram.   My question is do I bring one of the loads from the relay to the transformer that feeds the boiler/burners?  And the other load to the pump 
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,713
    edited November 2022
    YES!
    That way the pump and the burner will operate only when at least one valve is open.
    There may be a time when only the pump will operate because the burner is off as a result of reaching the high limit aquastat setting, but that is fine.
    Edward F Young. Retired HVAC ContractorSpecialized in Residential Oil Burner and Hydronics
    valencia29
  • valencia29
    valencia29 Member Posts: 7
    Thank.  Also if you can answer this just for my knowledge.  On the relay RA832A what are the X-X terminals used for? 
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,713
    edited November 2022
    Your wiring diagram indicates that you are using the WR 8A02A relay but you show a picture of the Honeywell RA832A relay. Since they are slightly different in the internal wiring I have prepared this diagram that may help in your rewiring.
    X X on the RA832A is not needed in this application
    Just be sure that the zone valve end switch is connected to TT on the RA832A relay. I believe that is probably the way it is already wired, bit check to be sure. The zone valve end switch is connected internally to terminals #2 and #3 in the zone valve.
    Edward F Young. Retired HVAC ContractorSpecialized in Residential Oil Burner and Hydronics
    valencia29
  • valencia29
    valencia29 Member Posts: 7
    Thank you 🙏
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,713
    edited November 2022
    Another thing to consider, With 6 zone valves, you will need a large 24 V transformer (like one rated at 75VA or more)... or there may be two 40VA transformers. Each transformer serving three valves. Be sure if you have 2 transformers serving 6 zone valves, that any rewiring will keep the transformers in phase with each other. ( that means do not reverse the R and the C on the transformers). Follow the same wiring scheme on all 6 valves. This is because #2 post on the valves is common to both the transformers on the valves and the transformer in the RA832A relay.

    Swapping a wire on a system with one valve only, may work just fine, But swapping a wire on multiple valves and multiple transformers can put the transformers out of phase. If that happens, you will let all the smoke out of a transformer or two. Once you let out the smoke, you can't put it back in... You need to replace the transformer. But then if you don't correct the mis-wired circuit, You can let the smoke out of the new one. I find that using a 3amp auto fuse on a 40 VA transformer can save on smoking transformers.
    Edward F Young. Retired HVAC ContractorSpecialized in Residential Oil Burner and Hydronics