How to Install New Wiring for a Swamp Cooler

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Things You'll Need

  • ROMEX® electrical cable 2 wire with bare ground conductor

  • Screwdriver Philips or slotted

  • Wire pliers

  • 2 – ROMEX® box connectors

  • Pocketknife

  • Wire strippers

  • Wire nuts

  • Circuit breaker that matches the amperage of swamp cooler

Swamp coolers are an excellent device for cooling household air in hot dry climates. The water cells of a swamp cooler fill the low humidity atmosphere with cool and moisture laden air. Installing the swamp coolers wiring depends fully on the power requirements for the combination water pump and air circulator fan electrical devices. By following a few basic procedures you can wire the swamp cooler properly.

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Step 1

Run the ROMEX® cable from the electrical control panel where the circuit breaker will be located to the swamp coolers electrical make up box. You may have to remove a "knock out" hole blank in the panel box and the swamp coolers electrical make up box.

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Step 2

Use the screwdriver and wire pliers to "knock out" the blank and install the box connector into the hole. Use the wire pliers to tighten the nut on the inside of the panel box and the swamp coolers make up electrical box.

Step 3

Strip the outer insulation of the ROMEX® cable back six inches on both ends of the cable assembly with the pocketknife. Insert both ends of the cable in through the box connector. You will have to tighten the cable clamp with the screwdriver so the ROMEX® will be held securely in place.

Step 4

Terminate the swamp coolers make up electrical box first by stripping the black and white wires back one inch from the end. Use the wire pliers and twist the black wire from the cable to the black wire in the swamp cooler electrical box. Cover the bare wires with the wire nut by twisting the nut in a clockwise direction until the plastic wire nut is secure. Perform the same technique on the white wires. Connect the bare copper grounding wire to the green screw located in the electrical make up box of the swamp cooler with the screwdriver. Be sure the connection is tight.

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Step 5

Install the proper amperage sized circuit breaker into an open slot of the panel box. The amperage will vary with different sized units. Check with the manufacturers specifications in order to install the correct type. Be sure that the breaker is in the "off" position before plugging in the breaker onto the bus bar.

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Step 6

Connect the bare ground wire and the white wire to the bus bar at the rear of the panel box. This bar will be directly connected to the rear of the metal bar and maybe identified as the "neutral" or "ground" bar. Other white and bare copper wires may already be connected to this termination point. Install the black wire to the screw terminal on the circuit breaker itself. Be sure all screw terminations are tight for a secure fit of the wire connection.

Step 7

Switch the circuit breaker to the "on" position and test the swamp cooler as per the manufacturers operational instructions.

Warning

Follow all local and state electrical codes in regards to wiring all electrical devices.

Some codes may require a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) for the safety control circuit of a swamp cooler due to the presence of water in the device.

Some manufacturers may require the installation to be performed by a licensed electrician due to warranty issues. Consult the instructions that came with your particular unit.

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