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Electrical Inspections Contains discussions about electrical systems. This includes receptacles, panels, wiring, etc.

 
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  #1  
Old 10/1/06, 9:14 PM
sfalvey sfalvey is offline
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Default Input please

This is the main entrance/laundry area. I would appreciate knowing how you guys would call this out. The house is 90+ years.

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 10/1/06, 9:29 PM
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gbeaumont gbeaumont is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Hi Scott,

The unprotected NM (Romex) wiring is obviously a problem, other than that I see no issues.

Regards

Gerry



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  #3  
Old 10/1/06, 9:31 PM
sfalvey sfalvey is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Thanks Gerry, I agree, but what would you recommend doing to remedy it? even though we do not make those recommendations.

Thanks.



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  #4  
Old 10/1/06, 9:39 PM
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William J. Decker William J. Decker is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Steel protection around the cables?

I would also be concerned about the close proximity to the water (washing machine) and the lack of accessability.



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  #5  
Old 10/1/06, 9:40 PM
rwand1 rwand1 is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Looks like a typical 90 year old set up in a home that has not been upgraded in years and years and years. The electrical cables could be protected very easily.
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  #6  
Old 10/1/06, 10:13 PM
Speedy Petey Speedy Petey is offline
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Default Re: Input please

The proximity to water is a non-issue. The accessibility is.
The protection of the cables is also an issue.


Like Ray says, this is typical of houses of this era. Before H-Is stuff like this never got a second look and was almost never a problem.
Thing is folks over the years added and changed things. IMO the laundry should have never gone there. Maybe they had no choice? Who knows.
Unfortunately, with the advent of H-Is the current owners of houses like this get burdend with correcting 90 years of mistakes (for lack of a better word).

A wooden box framework covering around the wires would be a perfect protection and also look good. Like was said though, you are not in the position of making this type of suggestion.
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  #7  
Old 10/1/06, 10:16 PM
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Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Quote:
Originally Posted by sfalvey
Thanks Gerry, I agree, but what would you recommend doing to remedy it? even though we do not make those recommendations.

Thanks.
I would like to know if you opened the panel?And if so how?


Mario





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  #8  
Old 10/1/06, 10:26 PM
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Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedy Petey
The proximity to water is a non-issue. The accessibility is.
The protection of the cables is also an issue.


Like Ray says, this is typical of houses of this era. Before H-Is stuff like this never got a second look and was almost never a problem.
Thing is folks over the years added and changed things. IMO the laundry should have never gone there. Maybe they had no choice? Who knows.
Unfortunately, with the advent of H-Is the current owners of houses like this get burdend with correcting 90 years of mistakes (for lack of a better word).

A wooden box framework covering around the wires would be a perfect protection and also look good. Like was said though, you are not in the position of making this type of suggestion.
I would make that suggestion to current homeowner Speedy.
.
Also the ONTARIO ELECTRICAL SAFETY CODE states 1 meter free space in front of panel.I know we are not doing a code inspection ,but I would not open panel with laundry in front of panel.





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  #9  
Old 10/1/06, 10:55 PM
Paul W. Abernathy Paul W. Abernathy is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Peter,

While the HI is not in the position to do so...a good HI would make the suggestion of boxing it in...which is what I would suggest and to be honest with you the client should trust in the HI and that suggestion if anything "Verbal" at best.....is a suggestion in their best interests.



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  #10  
Old 10/3/06, 8:35 AM
jtedesco1 jtedesco1 is offline
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Talking Re: Input please

Quote:
Originally Posted by sfalvey
This is the main entrance/laundry area. I would appreciate knowing how you guys would call this out. The house is 90+ years.

Thanks.
Defects show the lack of proper working spaces about the electrical equipment not in compliance with the NH State Laws and there is evidence of work done by non licensed and unqualified persons.
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  #11  
Old 10/3/06, 1:27 PM
sfalvey sfalvey is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Thanks for the input guys, and yes, I did open the panel box. I did notice there did not appear to be any grounding to plumbing or on the outside meter box no ground wire running anywhere, let alone to a rod in the ground. And the ddrip loop that was almost horizontal.



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  #12  
Old 10/3/06, 2:17 PM
Greg Fretwell Greg Fretwell is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Before you condemn the electrician you would have to know when they bought the washing machine
Some could argue the washing machine was portable and was just "saving" the working space for you.
The shelf above it is more troubling from a working space aspect.
I would agree the romex was subject to damage but the fix is pretty easy. Just nail up a 1x2 on each side and cover it with plywood.
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  #13  
Old 10/3/06, 2:37 PM
Greg Fretwell Greg Fretwell is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Actually there are two machines here. They are not pictures of the same space so it is the dryer that is in front of the panel.
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  #14  
Old 10/3/06, 4:22 PM
sfalvey sfalvey is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Fretwell
Actually there are two machines here. They are not pictures of the same space so it is the dryer that is in front of the panel.
It is the same space, the first picture is the washing machine, to the left, the second picture, is the dryer and Breaker panel.



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  #15  
Old 10/3/06, 4:53 PM
Paul W. Abernathy Paul W. Abernathy is offline
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Default Re: Input please

Scott,

I am like Greg in the observation.....both seem to have a wall to the right of them so they don't look like the same locations.

While the clearance is a issue and would not be accepted today I am not sure you can do much on it now other than note it and why it is a safety concern.

As for the NM Cables and such...I would suggest a protective divider be installed around them ( ie: wood and such ) and note why it is a recommendation.

I would do as greg suggests and understand the home is 90 years old as well. On the inside of the panel issues note as you should in your report those that concern you or lack of proper installation and that is about all I would report on in this case.



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