#NGCFE #Plumber Condensate pumps have been causing unnecessary confusion in our industry for many years. Their use is generally understood, however the correct installation and operation sequence of them continues to catch out lesser experienced engineers.
Condensate pumps are used when its not possible to take a condensate to a suitable drain via gravity. This could be due to doorways, walls or other issues preventing a natural termination via gravity.
The pump has five wires connecting it to the system. It has a permanent live, neutral and earth feed to the pump itself. It also has two further wires (usually black) that are connected to a safety shut off inside the unit. The pump also incorporates two float switches, The first float switch is there to turn the pump on when the condensate level reaches a certain level. The second float switch is set slightly higher and has the purpose of killing the power to the boiler / heat source if the pump fails to discharge.
As normal, we would give the boiler a permanent neutral and earth feed. The live feed however, is fed via the two black wires so that if the second float switch operates, the float switch will break the connection between the live and the boiler. The reason for this is to ensure that the boiler stops producing condensate which would cause the condensate pump to overflow.
Its really important that we utilise all five wires when installing a condensate pump, not just the live neutral and earth to the pump.
If a condensate pump is installed properly, then it can inadvertently create a confusing situation for a lesser experienced breakdown engineer. On a very cold day, the discharge hose could become frozen and kill the live feed to the boiler. The engineer who is fault finding on the appliance can mistakenly arrive at the conclusion that there is an electrical supply issue to the boiler when really its just a case of a failed condensate discharge that will likely rectify itself when the ice / blockage is removed.
As always, should you want to learn more about anything gas or industry related, please contact us at the
National Gas Centre for Excellence on 01924973260 or visit www.ngcfe.co.uk .
