Are you saying the utility is not supplying the correct voltage and a
transformer is needed between the pump controller and the primary service
disconnect?

Bill Brooks

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Don
Lowry
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 1:11 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fire Pump Electrical Service

References from NFPA-20 (2010 edition) 

Situation:

Fire Pump to be installed on ESFR system  (75 hp) electric motor.
9.2.2 (1) or (5)

On down through Chapter 9  to;

9.2.3.4 Where the overcurrent protection permitted by 9.2.3 is installed,
the overcurrent protection device shall be rated to carry indefinitely the
sum of the locked rotor current of the fire pump motor(s) and the pressure
maintenance pump motor(
s) and the full-load current of the associated fire pump accessory
equipment.

OK, so the locked rotor current is 543 amps, plus jockey pump, lights, heat,
etc added would require a 600 amp over current protective device.  This is
what the Engineer and I determined would be the requirement for this
dedicated service to the fire pump.

When the engineer submitted his electrical service plan (600 amp service) to
the city, the City Plan Reviewer states that we don't need a 600 amp
service, but rather a 125 amp service.

In reading through Article 695.4 of the NEC. It states:
 "Where the locked rotor current value does not correspond to a standard
overcurrent device size, the next standard overcurrent device size shall be
used in accordance with 240.6.  The requirement to carry the locked rotor
currents indefinitely shall not apply to conductors or devices other than
overcurrent devices in the fire pump motor circuits." 

So, does this mean that the service itself (transformer) and related
conductors can be per normal size (125 amp) with just a 600 amp fuse in the
disconnect before the controller?

In 30 + years this is the first time I have ever been asked about this.
Before I was only asked about pump size etc , and when installed and checked
at pump start-up there was indeed a fuse of appropriate size in the service
disconnect.  So I assumed all was correct.  I'm just wanting to make sure
the Engineer and I understand the requirements for the actual electrical
service provided.  I know it's not my area of expertise, nor my
responsibility, just curious.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Don Lowry, CET, RME (TX)











_______________________________________________
Sprinklerforum mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org

_______________________________________________
Sprinklerforum mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org

Reply via email to