Help with an inspection question

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by dedwards

As a side bar from all the testostrone poisoning going on in here. This item reminds of something I once ran across that would be of benefit to those of us that do determine wiring from inside the panel. Once did a home that had been converted into a duplex. In both units there were mulitple electrical problems; in one, inside the panel all of the circuits had the appearance of being grounded with nice new copper wiring, however, every receptacle gave indications of open ground. I pulled the cover off a couple because I just do not like not knowing what the thaw was going on. None had ground wires present. The story became clear during the attic inspection. Every junction box was open and the person who had "upgraded" the breaker panel ran new wiring to the j boxes from the panel and clipped off all the ground wires and joined up the old wiring with the new. They ended up having to correct all the mess and bring it up to the current standard once a real electrician was brought in on the j-o-b. You got to watch em out there. Hope this helps someone. Im outta here, gotta go to work.

Most EXCELLENT statement......and I am done POUNDING my chest I think.... again great post and explains why it is very important to not overlook anything or assume anything.

[Matt T. Batson]

I have to say...
I was actually beginning to think that the HI in question had, in fact, dropped the ball.
I consider myself a pretty rational and logical person, and realize that both sides of the story and ALL of the facts are very important before drawing a conclusion.

However, reading 10 pages of posts covering only one side of the story actually began to "brainwash" me to a point. I began to doubt the poor HI...

Funnily enough, I am very skeptical when I hear something on the news...I immediately start to question the so-called FACTS that the media is spouting...
Reason being, I know how the media can "brainwash" a person with a continuous and ongoing barrage of one-sided information...

But, I still got swayed on this one

I think Paul, as it turns out, was the one speaking the loudest (among others)in defense of the HI...who was not here to defend himself.

As it turns out, the HI did everything that we would have done...by the book.

By the way, I have read every single post in this 14 page saga...and I dont see Paul coming off as a "know it all" in any way, shape or form. He offered his advice (which, as it turns out, was right ), nothing more...

Seems like some people on here have an axe to grind with him...

Just an objective observation by someone who has no dog in this hunt.

[tdietrich1]

Originally Posted by dedwards

story became clear during the attic inspection. Every junction box was open and the person who had "upgraded" the breaker panel ran new wiring to the j boxes from the panel and clipped off all the ground wires and joined up the old wiring with the new. They ended up having to correct all the mess and bring it up to the current standard once a real electrician was brought in on the j-o-b. You got to watch em out there. Hope this helps someone. Im outta here, gotta go to work.

I've heard of that here in our older homes. The service is upgraded, the Power company wants a new position for the meter, and the panel is relocated. The original home runs(no ground romex) are left where they are, stuck in a big set of junction boxes, feed with new romex(with grounds). The panel looks all brand new, ground bar, egc, etc. Follow the jumper home-runs, and the j-boxes are all grounded, wire nuts connecting all wires, except the grounds they are wire nuted off. So no EGC's at any receptacles. I was told it was ok per AHJ, since it was a service panel removal/relocation, and the home owner was not required to upgrade the actual individual circuits.

Had me scratching my head too, but everyone seemed happy Home owner, power company, AHJ, expect the suspected electrician who had to cancel his trip to Europe after what the AHJ said.

tom

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Thank you MATT.....alas i will always be a good target for a select few within NACHI for some reason. Either they dont like how I come across in my posts or don't like the fact I am quite educated in my field of study and proud of the years I have spent learning and continue to learn.

I have learned from the help of a few NICE people on here to simply NOT give a crap what people say or how they pound their chest....I live by an important belief these days.....

I would PREFER you HATE me and respect my knowledge than to LIKE or LOVE me and SCREW me.

I am simply here to help and if I come across as a know it all....thats THERE opinion and I suggest they GET over it or place me on IGNORE. Ask the many, many HI's who call me weekly and I answer their questions for NO FEE in an effort to help them......I am NOTHING like my posts sometimes come across but in the end I don't care HOW I come across as I did not come here to make friends ( even though I have made many )..I am simply here to EDUCATE and some will like my style and some will not.....honestly I could careless and again they will take that as a EGO trip...but it is not.

So I thank you VERY much for coming to my aid...amazing enough it took someone NOT a member of NACHI to bring out this point....but again i think you will see matt that many people have their own agenda and if it is to make me look bad or discredit me...well they have an UPHILL battle because i will put my education and knowledge up against anyone.

Thank you again for your support and you always know I am just a phone call away if you EVER need any electrical assistance.

[kbowles1]

nevermind

[Russell J. Hensel]

What I found is that people "freak out" over the word aluminum and wiring put together. Most likely she has braided aluminum main wiring run into the residence and maybe some large appliance (AC) BRAIDED aluminum wiring is prefect for use today and many contractors still use it. The stigma of solid strand aluminum wiring is what many refer to when they say 'Aluminum wiring". There is nothing wrong with it, just have to let an electrician insure that the outlets and switches are made for aluminum and that no defects are present.

Ann let me ask you - How do you KNOW its aluminum wiring? Just asking, I have had people who listen to their "Jack of all trades neighbor" who is just a fountain of knowledge about nothing.

Please call the inspector first. They deserve that!

[kbowles1]

That's exactly right Russell. I had a client call me last week feaking out because I had put in the report he had aluminum wiring..........

My report has Service and branch on seperate lines but once he saw aluminum (service ), he didn't go any further, he quickly called me panicking because of aluminum wiring. Once I explained the report, he settled down a bit. And again as you state, as long as it is installed with the right outlets and switches, should never be a problem.

Kevin

[staylor5]

If the home inspector saw copper in the panel it can't be his fault. If the branch circuits were al and hr'sin copper do they expect you to open each outlet? Thats impossible