Contractor drilled holes in a nema 3r enclosure. Fix or scrap?

Arizona_928 · 02-19-2020, 09:45 AM

The contractor that did my pump last year ended up drilling 5 holes with self tapping screws through the back of a NEMA 3R enclosure that houses my pump controller. Damn thing leaked and ruined my pump controller.... I have replaced my pump controller, but am thinking of either RTV the holes, or silicon caulking to cover up the holes. Hopefully it doesn't fry the damn thing again.

New assembly panel is around 700$.

What do you guys think? btw the contractor is long ****ing gone. If it wasn't worth the blood pressure, I would drive my ass to winslow and chew him out...

stomachmonkey · 02-19-2020, 09:57 AM

Zeke · 02-19-2020, 10:49 AM

No screws are allowed in an electrical box of any kind unless the box is designed so. This includes outgoing screws. Certainly no sharp screw heads can be in any electrical box or enclosure pointed inward. Your so called electrician is worse than a hack.

You can counter sink the holes and apply JB Weld or any suitable epoxy. I assume it's metal.

NEC 314.23(B)(1) Nails and Screws. Screws shall not be permitted to pass through the box unless exposed threads in the box are protected using approved means to avoid abrasion of conductor insulation.

This added for the 2017 NEC: Mounting holes made in the field shall be approved.

pmax · pmax's Garage

JB Weld ?

Arizona_928 · 02-19-2020, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

No screws are allowed in an electrical box of any kind unless the box is designed so. This includes outgoing screws. Certainly no sharp screw heads can be in any electrical box or enclosure pointed inward. Your so called electrician is worse than a hack.

You can counter sink the holes and apply JB Weld or any suitable epoxy. I assume it's metal.

NEC 314.23(B)(1) Nails and Screws. Screws shall not be permitted to pass through the box unless exposed threads in the box are protected using approved means to avoid abrasion of conductor insulation.

This added for the 2017 NEC: Mounting holes made in the field shall be approved.

Yeah. I know. I'm actually quite upset with the situation. Especially with how much I paid to get the pump installed. Quotes to install a 1000 ft well pump in my neck of the woods is 10-14,000$. With what I paid being lower since he was recommended by my driller. Extreme amount of money to be paid for a hack job that lasted just about a year. That and he ghosted me when it came time to fix his mistake.

Here's my panel. I'll try the JB weld.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

That's the kind of guy that needs to be hunted down and taken to court before he kills somebody with his shoddy work.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

That's the kind of guy that needs to be hunted down and shot!

FIFY!

I like the flex seal tape suggestion by SM.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

Sorry. I have a sore spot for poor electrical work. Had a cousin electrocuted while fishing. He was in an aluminum boat on a private pond. There was some sort of bridge going over it, I'm not sure just what the situation was, but, he reached up and touched the bridge. He was barefoot. Something wasn't wired correctly on the bridge and it killed him. Only 10-12 yrs old at the time too.

Arizona_928 · 02-19-2020, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

That's the kind of guy that needs to be hunted down and taken to court before he kills somebody with his shoddy work.

Yeah I'm thinking about small claims.
I'm gonna run another ground to be safe. I'm playing with 480v 3 phase. Very easy way to be killed.

I'm gonna make a call to the licensing people to file a complaint.

stomachmonkey · 02-19-2020, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

...he was recommended by my driller....

I'd be sure to let your driller know who he is recommending.

Arizona_928 · 02-19-2020, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Sorry. I have a sore spot for poor electrical work. Had a cousin electrocuted while fishing. He was in an aluminum boat on a private pond. There was some sort of bridge going over it, I'm not sure just what the situation was, but, he reached up and touched the bridge. He was barefoot. Something wasn't wired correctly on the bridge and it killed him. Only 10-12 yrs old at the time too.

I'm sorry to hear that one. I lost my brother at a young age as well due to negligence.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Why aren't you making the contractor pay for the new enclosure?

9dreizig · 02-19-2020, 02:51 PM

Nema 3R is only rain resistant.. I"d go with the JB weld ..
If you need a new enclosure drop me a line I sell them.. can get you a Nema 4x cheap

HarryD · 02-19-2020, 02:56 PM

He needs to correct the code violation.

Does the guy who installed this, have an electrical license? If so, tell him to correct pronto before you call the licensing board.

If not, tell him to correct it pronto before you notify the licensing board that he is performing electrical work without a license.

LWJ · 02-19-2020, 03:03 PM

Not JB.

Use 3M 5200 or 4200 or similar. That stuff will seal the underside of a boat hull permanently. JB weld seems made for a less water intrusive application.

Arizona_928 · 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryD

He needs to correct the code violation.

Does the guy who installed this, have an electrical license? If so, tell him to correct pronto before you call the licensing board.

If not, tell him to correct it pronto before you notify the licensing board that he is performing electrical work without a license.

I have his roc numbers. Never ran them as he came highly recommended by my driller.

The guy ghosted me. No return of phone calls, e-mail, ect. He picked up the first time, but I think that's because he didn't remember who I was....

I think the nema 4x is a tad bit overkill. Maybe 4, but it looks like Siemens doesn't do pump panels with anything but 3/3R

Arizona_928 · 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Why aren't you making the contractor pay for the new enclosure?

2 hour drive one way with no guarantee the sob will be there. Wasting money where it'll be easier just to fix it myself. Not worth the blood pressure.

The local homedepot is a hour + drive away. That said I already bought the jb weld. So I'll give that a go.

I would have done this job my self, but the need of a 3 ton 24 ft Derrick kinda leaves you out sourcing it.

stomachmonkey · 02-19-2020, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

....He picked up the first time, but I think that's because he didn't remember who I was....

Post his phone number.

I got nuthin better to do for the next 30 or so but to call.

Imagine if a whole BBS of people who like you had his number?

dad911 · 02-19-2020, 06:46 PM

Seal the top and the sides of the panel to where it is mounted, don't let water get behind it.

We usually mount panels like that to the sheathing, or a Azek block, flash the top, and caulk the sides.

Arizona_928 · 02-20-2020, 03:42 AM

It's mounted with strut channel on the top and bottom where there's tabs that come out of the box. The contractor added a "pump saver" device on top of the Siemens stuff, and put 5 holes through the box.

As much as I do like a good old fashion witch hunt. I'll have decline that offer. He'll get his. That or he'll die and run his own planet. So he thinks. LOL