When evaluating older homes often you will find remnants of electrical systems past. On this home inspection it was just that case. Here is an example of a old fused panel with what is referred to as “Edison” style fuses. The issue with “Edison” style fuses is they cannot be Read more…
Often in home people will do upgrades to the electrical system. Any upgrade needs to be performed to the code and code cycle for safety and durability. Have live cables or wiring in crawlspace present a hazard for people in crawlspace. All cables and wires need to be properly installed, Read more…
Not in my Raceway!! You should never install feeders or branch circuits in the same raceway/conduit as your service conductors. If a fault ever happened between the service conductors and the feeder/branch circuit conductors you may not have overcurrent protection for the feeder or branch-circuit conductors which can result in Read more…
Creative lighting in the yard.? Or should we call it the the hanging lights of Babylon? Anyway this is not a proper of safe instillation and there are rules for exterior lighting. The references are from the 2014 NEC but these are very similar the the current edition. 410.36 Means Read more…
Sometimes you got to be careful where you crawl in crawlspaces. Here is an example of a potentially dangerous splice. This crawlspace had signs of water, when mixed with minerals in water can become conductive which could lead to someone being shocked or injured. You must install a box or Read more…
We have a little DIY work adding a switch to some lighting. Exposed Type NM cable (or what many call Romex) must closely follow the surface of the building or structure per Sec. 334.15(A). NM cable (Nonmetallic-sheathed cable/Romex) must be protected from physical damage. This can be either by rigid Read more…
When a DIY-er decides to install a hot tub circuit. Feeder is in an exterior conduit. How many code issues can you see here? 334.10 Uses Permitted. 352.46 Bushings 300.12 Mechanical Continuity — Raceways and Cables 110.
Loose conduit connection at the Air Conditioner can create abrasion of the conductors that could lead to shorting of the circuit and damage to the AC Unit. Conduits need to be properly secured and attached to all enclosures.
Not uncommon as electric furnaces age the connection loosed and then heat and burn. These connection should be evaluated time to time during servicing.
It amazes me how often I see improper and unsafe electrical instillation. Here is an example of an electrical panel that has been installed that is a disaster waiting to happen. Let alone all the improper wiring this is a sub-panel. Then we have metal materials around this panel that Read more…