Anyone had this problem with Burnham?

Pat_11

Ken,
I have been adding two plastic tie wraps. This holds the wire block onto the relay. I'll check with Glenn and see if the factory has or can add these.
Thanks,
Pat

Ken C.

Loose electrical connector

I've ran into the same problem twice with Burnham gas-fired steam boilers. The burners wouldn't light on a call for heat, and in both cases, the culprit was a loose wiring harness connector on a relay mounted on the front of the boiler, just behind the removable panel.

Has anyone else ran into this situation? Unfortunately, the connector does not have locking tabs that would prevent it from coming loose from the relay block.

What would you recommend to prevent this in the future? Any ideas, Glenn Stanton?

(Overall, I do think Burnham is a good boiler.)

Phil_6

relay

I had one like that a couple of weeks ago. Used some electrical tape to hold the two parts together more tightly. It's the first time I noticed this, though. Actually the customer pointed it out.

Unknown

Wiring Harnesses (mated plugs)

should be outlawed. Some of them seem to have found the wrong mate. Do yourself a favor and eliminate the harness all together. Pick up a terminal strip and rewire it that will eliminate any future problems.Terminal strips are also much easier to troubleshoot.

American manufacturers need to get away from all the wiring mess that they have on equipment.

I also do not like junction boxes another American nightmare. I call them Jack-in-the-box, when you take the cover off everything jumps out at you. Again line voltage terminal strips work better.

J.C.A._3

Great point Timmie.

I too think that blocks would be FAR easier to troubleshoot than "molex plugs".(I do like your paperclip trick and it has bailed my butt out more than a couple times) I say that both have their place and like Mr. Etherton says,molex connectors "contribute to the dumbing down of the field tech." If it don't fit....it don't go there. Simple in practice but a bear to figure out when there's been a factory problem. Happy New Year Timmie. Hope to be seeing you down at the T.C. this spring/summer. Chris

Unknown

Ken

I have experienced this on various occasions. Although this is the same contactor relay and mated plug connector that is used on the transformer relays, this one does not come with the wire strap that the tramsformer relay comes with. I have already had them inquire as to whether this can come from Honeywell equipped with the wire strap and apparently it is not available that way. I have been advising to use an electrical zip tie to keep it secure. We will probably not be equipping it from the factory with that tie strap though. There have been very few incidents of this occuring. Other folks have found that bending the 1/4" spade connectors ever so slightly also secures it to the plug nicely. Hope this helps.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

Unknown

I disagree Tim

Manufacturers need to comply with UL and NEMA approved wiring devices and standards to meet testing and certification standards. The plug on connectors for these Honeywell contactor relays are an approved device and fit most of the relays that they make. Various OEM's specifications are out there for these based on the neccessary wiring configurations for their equipment. Junction boxes are also an approved method of making the neccessary wiring connections. Open terminal strips are NOT an approved method of making electrical connections unless they are inside of a NEMA or UL approved enclosure. As always though, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. Take care!

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

Ken C.

Hello Tim,

Thanks for the tip re: terminal blocks.

Those Burnham steam boilers also have a "Jack-in-the-box" junction box, with a transformer mounted on the cover plate.

Ken C.

Thanks, Glenn

I will be sure to use the tie wraps on these. By the way, does Burnham have any training classes or literature available to service technicians? I live in Rhode Island (you do too, right?).

tim smith

connections

Terminal blocks are a much more desirable way of handling connections. Testin is much more efficient and a sure way of connection. I know it is a bit more of a headache for the mfr to get this approved I think but hey, sure makes a nicer product.

Unknown

Ken

Give me a call at my office after 12:00 noon tomorrow and we'll discuss this. I'm in West Springfield tonight after getting somewhat stranded by the storm today. Tried to make it from Central VT to RI tonight but gave up when it turned nasty with freezing rain and sleet. My office number in Wakefield is (401) 789-1899.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

Unknown

Glenn, I am aware of the standards

what I am saying is they need to change. There are enclosed terminal strips used in a lot of other technology today and they are a much better way and easier to diagnos.

I am working with an engineer at Brown University who has devised wiring techniques for use in industry that are amazing and allow for much better and safer system wiring. His reasearch has caused IBM to recntly change their wiring and in addition this wiring is compatabile with Lap Top Computer diagnosis which is the future of troubleshooting.

Wiring on equipment is a nightmare. I find more time is often spent on trying to figure out how something is wired than actual diagnostics. Diagnostics is time and time is money.

I know where you are coming from Glenn and I respect your input. The truth is we need change.