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Pipes in relationship with switching relays

ken3320
ken3320 Member Posts: 8
in Thermostats and Controls
IMG_0125.jpeg

Hello , I recently noticed I have a pinhole leak on a copper pipe . The pipe slowly drips a fraction of an inch from these relays. The are multiple copper pipes directly over top of these relays . This can’t be to code ? My solution is repair the leak and move these relays to another wall away from all piping. Your comments or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you

Comments

  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 2,336

    Unless you live in a municipality with a specific code, this is not against it. The panel itself is really the only thing nationally regulated as far as relation to piping. They've obviously been there for quite some time (approaching 20 years?) by the way it looks and have not had an issue yet, but yes you could surely relocate them if this is a concern for you. Possibly even replace them with a single multi-zone switching relay from this century.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,898

    what caused the leak? It seems like that is the issue to address.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    Ironmanmattmia2
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,619
    edited March 8

    NEC 110.26(F)(1)(a) Cannot have pipes in the restricted area over electrical equipment including main or subpanels without intervening structural ceiling. Some AHJ will accept drywall, others require plywood or other material that will resist water to protect the equipment .
    Personally, I recommend a permanent surface that will route water from leaking pipes away from panels. Been there. 🫠

    No issues with that situation as the electrical components are associated with the piping.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,602

    The require for piping over electrical equipment only applies to electrical equipment not relays.

    Put something over the relays to deflect the water and fix the leaks when you can. I would not go to the trouble to relocate.

    PC7060mattmia2Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
  • ken3320
    ken3320 Member Posts: 8

    Low PH is probably the cause of the pin hole leaks in the copper pipe . Need to add some sort of calcite filter to combat this issue . Repairing the leak and adding a shield over the electrical relays is the easiest common sense solution.
    Thank you all for your comments . This site is A+!

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