International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
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| Electrical Contains discussions about electrical systems. This includes outlets, panels, wiring, et cetera. |
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#1
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I was wondering if anyone knew of a tool, exact name please, for determining the size of a wire for instances where no lable is visible? Some of these 4, 6 and 8 get hard to tell apart, especially in older wiring or wires with thicker insulation.
I have been searching the internet and I can't find anything. |
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#2
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Until they are comfortable guaging wire some inspectors will go somewhere (big Box store< etc.) and buy a short piece of each wire size with the size on it to carry with them on inspections.
____________________________________________ "An Education, not just an Inspection" Larry Kage Lake Ann (Traverse City), Michigan 49650 231 929 3525 Professional Inspector and Infrared Thermographer serving the Traverse City, Michigan area and beyond. ITC/FLIR CERTIFIED BUILDING SCIENCES THERMOGRAPHER ITC/FLIR CERTIFIED LEVEL 1 THERMOGRAPHER
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#3
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Quote:
Linas Dapkus Lockport,Il. 60441 #06012294 Chicago Home Inspector Chicago Home Inspection Chicago Home Inspector Linas Dapkus My Chicago Home Inspection Chicago Home Inspection Today |
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#4
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Regards Gerry Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience. Adam Smith (1723-1790) Commercial property Inspection Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Ft Launderdale, Miami, Florida. NACHI cell 484-429-5466 NACHI02121106
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#5
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I have carried samples for years just in case. I'm pretty good at wire sizing, however sometimes, even with samples in hand, it gets difficult. I currently have to figure out if a wire is #4 or #6. The wire is about 30 years old and has very thick insulation which makes it look a lot bigger than it is.
Anyhow, I was hoping there is some sort of tool for helping with the sizing. |
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#6
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Quote:
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#7
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When I first started out, I made this - I still use it, from time to time.
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#8
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For anyone who might want a sizing tool, I finally found one.
www.professionalequipment.com Item #E659 |
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#9
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Would not the simple wire stripping tool work? It does stripp the wire casing and not the wire, right? Tells you what size right on the tool.
Just a thought. Marcel Cyr Home and Commercial Property Inspections IAC2 Certified NACHI04070211 http://co.nachi.org/inachiawards Commercial Builder CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator Shingle Technology Ouellet Associaties Inc. http://www.oaconstruction.com/ |
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#10
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That would be:
http://www.professionalequipment.com...l-accessories/ Looks pretty tough to use that safely a panel, though.... |
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#11
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Lookie....
The only SURE way to get it right is with practice and experience. The slip over or side guages simply can be wrong as insulation varies from type to type. The best method is to visit the supply house or supply store and get familiar with the different sizes....and I STRONGLY suggest making a CHEAT tool as Micheal has made.....really helps you visually when looking in the enclosure. Paul W. Abernathy,CMI,CEI,CEPE NECŪ Consultant/Columnist www.twitter.com/ElectricalGuru - ICC & IAEI Certified Electrical Inspector - ICC & IAEI Certified Electrical Plans Examiner - Look for my article in the Nov/Dec 2009 IAEI Magazine - 2007 "Top Gun" Winner - Mike Holt Enterprises " visit www.TheElectricalGuru.com Today !" |
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#12
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Quote:
tom |
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#13
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Paul W. Abernathy,CMI,CEI,CEPE NECŪ Consultant/Columnist www.twitter.com/ElectricalGuru - ICC & IAEI Certified Electrical Inspector - ICC & IAEI Certified Electrical Plans Examiner - Look for my article in the Nov/Dec 2009 IAEI Magazine - 2007 "Top Gun" Winner - Mike Holt Enterprises " visit www.TheElectricalGuru.com Today !" |
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#14
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I found what he tried to use. http://www.romazone.com/images/wire_gauge_tool.JPG As you can see you need to slide it over the bare conductor. With live breakers, and close together, you can short out several wires at one. Wow what a pretty shade of blue. tom |
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#15
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Please Note:
Greg Fretwell is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
I carried a plastic caliper for a while and a card that had the sizes.
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