How many splices in Panel

[Greg Fretwell]

This looks like a 312.5(C)ex

Joe, without knowing how long the raceway/nipple is I would not vote on fill yet. I would be more concerned with derating if this is over 24".
Is it sealed at the top, are the cables secured properly, where is the 6mm of jacket in the box?
Of all of these, derating is the most important. Just look at the picture Marc posted of the bundled Romex.
The thing about fill is you need to take an oval cable as a circle, using the widest dimension so it fills up a pipe pretty fast.

[Pierre Belarge]

Joe
The first picture may not look pretty, but pretty is not a code requirement.
Pictures can be deceiving, so it is not easy to tell if the 40% fill has been exceeded...it may have been, I think it is a close call the way it looks to be filled, but a calculation would have to be performed.


Yes, a couple of the cables do not have the required measurement of sheathing, and the PVC fitting is missing a bushing, but this install looks like it may come pretty close to being compliant. The splices are close to being 75%, but how can one tell from the photo?

I would say the contractor may be able to slip a little more sheathing into the panel enclosure, that would leave only the bushing as an issue.


Remember, we do not inspect for personal taste, but minimum code compliance.

[jtedesco1]

Not true! See 110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work.

Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.

FPN: Accepted industry practices are described in ANSI/NECA 1-2006, Standard Practices for Good Workmanship in Electrical Contracting, and other ANSI-approved installation standards.

.... and all new fledgling inspectors must be aware of the possible hazards, a picture is certainly not enough, and if there was a field inspection I am sure we would find more problems.

The use of that "sleeve" is concealed is not allowed either and is not what the exception in 312 considers.

[Mark Jones]

I'm no master electrican, but I have bent some pipe and pulled more than a few wires. When I see something like this I recommend the customer have the electrical system checked by a qualified electrican. My way of thinking is if the electrian did this there may be other problems hidden inside boxes etc.. that go far beyond the scope of a home inspection. I do explain that thier may or may not be problems with the system but that what I see is a un professional installation.

Mark Jones

[Patrick Bolliger]

Isn't there anything on the number of twists that a conductor can have to??

I would think at some point the mechanical process of twisting solid wire with that number of turns would weaken them considerably as well.
Sloppy work to say the least.

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by pbolliger

Isn't there anything on the number of twists that a conductor can have to??

I would think at some point the mechanical process of twisting solid wire with that number of turns would weaken them considerably as well.
Sloppy work to say the least.

Splices

Conductors must be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy.

Soldered splices must first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then be soldered.

All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors must be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.

Wire connectors or splicing means installed on conductors for direct burial must be listed for such use.

[Patrick Bolliger]

Joe I tried to email you something earlier today and It just got bounced back now! I tried the comcast account..

Can you send me a note at HomeIguy@sbcglobal.net so I can send you the questions I had..

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by pbolliger

Joe I tried to email you something earlier today and It just got bounced back now! I tried the comcast account..

Can you send me a note at HomeIguy@sbcglobal.net so I can send you the questions I had..

I received your message and questions and I replied.

joetedesco@comcast.net

[Patrick Bolliger]

Thanks Joe,

Got it. Good point on the meter... I bet this is a tenant meter.. This is one big building....16 floors Basement common area has some serious behind "cage" electric equipment. I will send you pic.. Not sure of what it is...

It's called out anyway so this for my own brain fill.

[jtedesco1]

Please start a new thread and post the pictures to avoid confusion among the troops here.

You sure find some strange stuff there in Chicago land.

[Patrick Bolliger]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

You sure find some strange stuff there in Chicago land.

You mean some inspectors...right

[Spencer B. Johns]

Well good news The electrician passed the installation. He did say he did not like the way that it was done but it was not a code violation. I am moving on to the next inspection. Thanks to all that responded.

Spencer</IMG>

[Pierre Belarge]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

Not true! See 110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work.

Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.

FPN: Accepted industry practices are described in ANSI/NECA 1-2006, Standard Practices for Good Workmanship in Electrical Contracting, and other ANSI-approved installation standards.

.... and all new fledgling inspectors must be aware of the possible hazards, a picture is certainly not enough, and if there was a field inspection I am sure we would find more problems.

The use of that "sleeve" is concealed is not allowed either and is not what the exception in 312 considers.

Joe, as you know, the FPN is informational only.

110.12 is basically unenforcable in a court of law. It can be written on a job, but if a contractor decides to fight it, the inspector will lose that one.

[jtedesco1]

So then you allow this type of work when inspecting jobs?

The concealed sleeve is still a violation, and should have been cited, its too bad we have lost some of the real and true mechanics, but instead now we have to deal with out of a trunk hacks and bootleggers who have no clue about the way in which a mechanic does their work!

[Marc D. Shunk]

Originally Posted by jtedesco1

... its too bad we have lost some of the real and true mechanics, but instead now we have to deal with out of a trunk hacks and bootleggers who have no clue about the way in which a mechanic does their work!

How's your electrical contracting business going, Joe?