Any code issue on this chicken water heater?
#1
08-07-12, 03:29 PM
Any code issue on this chicken water heater?
I made this chicken water heater. Its a common device that's made often and I actually saw a open type that I thought was UL listed. But cant find that data.
Here is the open type. Bulb is exposed and you place the waterer on top.
strombergschickens.com
Here is the one I made. Its a candelabra cord. I need to get a candle style 25watt bulb. I was only using that 60 watt one to try it out. Gets too hot that's why I suggested a 25 watt bulb
I screwed the lid to the bottom of my waterer. It will be plugged into a 36F on thermocube.
The cord it rated for 75watt max bulb.
So does anyone see anything wrong? I can only think of grounding issue of the cookie tin?
![Name: P08-07-12_16.57[1].jpg
Views: 2495
Size: 24.7 KB](https://www.doityourself.com/forum/attachments/electrical-ac-dc/2484d1344377910-any-code-issue-chicken-water-heater-p08-07-12_16.57-1-.jpg)
![Name: P08-07-12_16.57[2].jpg
Views: 2319
Size: 19.9 KB](https://www.doityourself.com/forum/attachments/electrical-ac-dc/2485d1344377911-any-code-issue-chicken-water-heater-p08-07-12_16.57-2-.jpg)
Here is the open type. Bulb is exposed and you place the waterer on top.
strombergschickens.com
Here is the one I made. Its a candelabra cord. I need to get a candle style 25watt bulb. I was only using that 60 watt one to try it out. Gets too hot that's why I suggested a 25 watt bulb
I screwed the lid to the bottom of my waterer. It will be plugged into a 36F on thermocube.
The cord it rated for 75watt max bulb.
So does anyone see anything wrong? I can only think of grounding issue of the cookie tin?
#2
08-07-12, 05:35 PM
The metal really should be bonded to ground, especially the close proximity to water and livestock. Hopefully the receptacle is GFCI as well.
As far as code issues, I'd say this homemade device probably violates a nice chunk of them.
As far as code issues, I'd say this homemade device probably violates a nice chunk of them.
#3
08-07-12, 05:35 PM
You may only need a 7 1/2 watt bulb. You will be creating a lot of heat in that little box. I use one that has a built in heater. red bottom and opaque top. Has built in thermostat. Got it at a feed store. Works great and don't have to worry about a bulb burning out.
#4
08-07-12, 05:53 PM
You may only need a 7 1/2 watt bulb. You will be creating a lot of heat in that little box. I use one that has a built in heater. red bottom and opaque top. Has built in thermostat. Got it at a feed store. Works great and don't have to worry about a bulb burning out.
Those farm units only have a heating pad inside them. The metal looking ones have that. If I could have found a low watt pad I possibly would use that. I could not find one.
Also the reason for this waterer is that the coop is small insde. A regular 1 gallon waterer takes 1 foot of floor space.
The metal really should be bonded to ground, especially the close proximity to water and livestock. Hopefully the receptacle is GFCI as well.
As far as code issues, I'd say this homemade device probably violates a nice chunk of them.
As far as code issues, I'd say this homemade device probably violates a nice chunk of them.
How would I go about bonding it? Yes it is GFI protected.
And yes it is a homemade device but what is the difference if I put that cord in a lamp base and made a lamp? That is essentially what I did right? Lamp bases are not bonded since there are no ground prongs on any lamps I have....
#6
08-07-12, 07:18 PM
How would I go about bonding it?
Lamp bases are not bonded since there are no ground prongs on any lamps I have.
#8
08-07-12, 07:38 PM
And how many ceiling fixtures do you have that don't have a ground wire?
Just asking. What about submersible heaters for aquariums?
#9
08-07-12, 07:59 PM
Originally Posted by Nashkat1
And how many ceiling fixtures do you have that don't have a ground wire?
Huh???? What do you mean?
#10
08-07-12, 08:29 PM
What part didn't you understand?
( I think I only installed/replaced three ceiling fixtures in my entire life time)
#11
08-08-12, 08:49 PM
Honestly I thought it was a trick question, but now I know what you mean. That little braided wire on ceiling fixtures that you tie to the EGC. Gotcha.
( I think I only installed/replaced three ceiling fixtures in my entire life time)
That's why I ask you about all the plumbing stuff!
So, did you get what I was saying about how to install the ground?
#12
08-08-12, 09:46 PM
so, did you get what I was saying about how to install the ground?
I was thinking this reptile mat 4 watt may be better but it has a bunch of warnings about electrical shock.
#13
08-09-12, 03:07 AM
Don't know if I would consider the mat, since chickens peck at everything in sight. Premature roasted chicken, if you know what I mean. Your set up may not be UL approved, but it is functional from what I see.
#14
08-09-12, 06:37 AM
I am not going to stress on this too much, but.....
Larry I found a better pic of a production model sold at various farm supply stores. This pic shows the cord/plug and there is no ground prong. So I would assume not bonded.
How would this unit get UL listed? If it is at all. I thought I saw that it was in a link I read. ( I will poke around)
cutlersupply.com
Additionally these type with the pads under them have the ground prong so I would say they are bonded. And I would assume the plastic base waterers do not need bonding and have no ground prong? ( larry you said you have the plastic variety?)
theisens.com
Just wondering.
Larry I found a better pic of a production model sold at various farm supply stores. This pic shows the cord/plug and there is no ground prong. So I would assume not bonded.
How would this unit get UL listed? If it is at all. I thought I saw that it was in a link I read. ( I will poke around)
cutlersupply.com
Additionally these type with the pads under them have the ground prong so I would say they are bonded. And I would assume the plastic base waterers do not need bonding and have no ground prong? ( larry you said you have the plastic variety?)
theisens.com
Just wondering.
#16
08-10-12, 09:05 PM
How would this unit get UL listed? If it is at all.
If it were mine, I would not combine water, electricity, metal containers and a coop full of pecking chickens without providing a connection to ground for the metal container the electricity is run into. For the same reason that I wouldn't plumb a bathtub or lav without a functioning overflow.
Just because you have found some manufactured products that appear to not do that doesn't mean that that's a good idea, IMO.
#17
08-10-12, 09:16 PM
Just because you have found some manufactured products that appear to not do that doesn't mean that that's a good idea, IMO.
Hmmm...but what does code say?
And if code says bond then it would seem anyone can make a device and sell it unboded.
I say that because it seems many devices like lamps and chicken waterers are sold all the time without being bonded from what I see on the internet.
If its code then where are the electrical police?
#19
08-11-12, 05:14 AM
I say that because it seems many devices like lamps and chicken waterers are sold all the time without being bonded from what I see on the internet.
If its code then where are the electrical police?
If its code then where are the electrical police?
#20
08-11-12, 02:13 PM
I know of no laws requiring a manufacturer to have his products U.L. Listed before being allowed to sell them and I have serious reservations about some products that do carry a U.L. label.
.
