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Can my vintage boiler wiring be updated to modern wiring?

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Comments

  • Steve Minnich
    Steve Minnich Member Posts: 2,877
    edited February 17

    @TheUpNorthState88 I saved the photos of your boiler and it’s possible one will end up framed. I once pulled a 1910 Ideal coal fired water heater connected to 30 gallon tank. Kept it for years but now I just have parts of it.

    Steve Minnich
    TheUpNorthState88
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,948
    edited February 17
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888449#Comment_1888449

    What he said!

    I guess my book is older.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    mattmia2
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 3,826

    In this case it is really easy to wire the Neutral so it is un-switched and not fused, just not a big deal.

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    TheUpNorthState88
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,026

    NEC 404.2(B)

    Grounded Conductors

    Switches or Circuit breakers shall not disconnect the grounded conductor of a circuit.

    Exception:

    A switch or circuit breaker shall be permitted to disconnect a grounded circuit conductor where all circuit conductors are disconnected simultaneously or where the device is arranged so that the grounded conductor cannot be disconnected until all the ungrounded conductors of the circuit have been disconnected.

    mattmia2EdTheHeaterMan
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,948

    So the 1930s square D fused disconnect is a NO!

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,256
    edited February 18
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888518#Comment_1888518

    Maybe it's intended to be used with 240v coming from a larger circuit.

    That would make a lot more sense.

    Otherwise it doesn't make sense to have fuses at the appliance nor does it make sense to have two fuses on a 120v appliance.

    I vote improper use of equipment. Hacks aren't a modern creation.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    109A_5
  • 109A_5
    109A_5 Member Posts: 3,826
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888518#Comment_1888518

    Why ? Just replace the Neutral side switch and fuse with a wire and two wire nuts or just one wire nut if the existing wires reach. Since the connection of the fuse to the switch looks embedded in the insulation block. Now you have a spare fuse.

    image.png
    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,319
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1888518#Comment_1888518

    in this application. it would be fine in a circuit with 2 ungrounded conductors.(ignoring the other 100 changes in the ul standard in the past 95 years)

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,026

    Fusing the neutral was ok in the old days. From David Shapiro's book "Old Electrical Wiring" "Before the adoption of the 1923 NEC it was ok to fuse the hot and the neutral"

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