Loose wires in electrical panel

[Stephen P. Shockley]

I noticed the two loose wires at the bottom of the electrical panel. I also noticed that the wiring to the water heater was replaced with an orange insulated wire when the replacement water heater was installed in 2003. I'm guessing those two loose wires originally went to the water heater. I'm not clear on what to say about these two loose wires in my report that aren't being used. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

[zswieca]

Improperly terminated wires noted at the --- panel. The ends of spliced wires should be covered with a wire nut and electrical tape should be wrapped over the nut and onto the wires. Note, the inspector does not pull or track the source of terminated wires.

[Robert Meier]

I agree they would be safer if the ends were either taped or a wire nut were installed. This would keep inadvertent contact with the live buss from energizing the other end of the cable or worse causing some arcing which may lead to other problems. According to the NEC abandoned line voltage cables and conductors can remain for possible future use. Abandoned CATV and data/phone wiring must be removed or tagged for future use. No such requirement exist for line voltage cables.

ARTICLE 800 Communications Circuits

I. General

800.25 Abandoned Cables.
The accessible portion of abandoned communications cables shall be removed. Where cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by sshockley

I noticed the two loose wires at the bottom of the electrical panel. I also noticed that the wiring to the water heater was replaced with an orange insulated wire when the replacement water heater was installed in 2003. I'm guessing those two loose wires originally went to the water heater. I'm not clear on what to say about these two loose wires in my report that aren't being used. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

"Abandoned line voltage cable found in electrical panel. It can be removed or, if left in place, bare copper conductor ends should be covered
by wire nuts or electrical tape. Consult licensed electrician"

[Stephen P. Shockley]

Wow, great comments. I was about to only suggest removing the loose wires. Thanks gentlemen.


Regards,

Steve

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by sshockley

Wow, great comments. I was about to only suggest removing the loose wires. Thanks gentlemen.


Regards,

Steve

Brian summed it up nicely.

[Kenneth Greene]

it looks like from the photo that the orange wire come through exterior of the house wall then travels up into an exterior mounted breaker panel. shouldn't that cable be protected from cutting in conduit?

[Jim Port]

Originally Posted by kgreene1

it looks like from the photo that the orange wire come through exterior of the house wall then travels up into an exterior mounted breaker panel. shouldn't that cable be protected from cutting in conduit?

No, the problem is that that type of cable is not listed for use outdoors.

Conduit would only be required if it was deemed that the cable was subject to physical damage.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by Jim Port

No, the problem is that that type of cable is not listed for use outdoors.

Conduit would only be required if it was deemed that the cable was subject to physical damage.

Isn't the orange cable (10ga) ) subject to physical damage?

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Isn't the orange cable (10ga) ) subject to physical damage?

That misses the point Chris.

The cable is not out door rated. It it was UF there would be no problem.

[Jim Port]

Physical damage is a very subjective term and is not defined in the NEC. What you may consider may vary widely from what someone else considers subject to damage.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by Jim Port

Physical damage is a very subjective term and is not defined in the NEC. What you may consider may vary widely from what someone else considers subject to damage.

So, in this installation, other than not being UF, you would not consider it a safety defect?

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

So, in this installation, other than not being UF, you would not consider it a safety defect?

UF or NM I would consider an exposed cable installed as in that photo subject to physical damage. Now use UF and properly support it then it might be OK. SE cable is run out of the bottom of a meter pan exposed everywhere around here.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

UF or NM I would consider an exposed cable installed as in that photo subject to physical damage. Now use UF and properly support it then it might be OK. SE cable is run out of the bottom of a meter pan exposed everywhere around here.

Thanks. Same here with SE cable in rural areas.

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Thanks. Same here with SE cable in rural areas.

As Jim stated it's not defined by the NEC so subject to physical damage is open to interpretation. I used the SE cable as an example because in many area (including this one) that's an acceptable wiring method in an exposed location. Run it in a driveway and then you would have a problem.