Inspection Tips by Joe Farsetta

[tmcsweeney]

Thank you. I read post #29 and agree totally. However, I guess what I should have included in that reply is that there also needs to a bonding agent (usually a small s shaped bar) secured from the combination grounding and neutral bar to the panel. The idea of course is to give the stray current the least resistive path for removal. Of course it is not the safest which is why Codes change. I didn't mean to indicate that it was safe just that it seems to be a common thing that I find in old housing stock in my area. Thanks again, Tim

[Marcel R. Cyr]

[quote=jfarsetta;597267]This is a prime example of inspectors gone wild. It aint all that confusing. First off, please review what an inspection is and what it is not.quote]

Joe, thanks, and because of your comprehensive explaination I now fully understand how to check and make an assessment of two prong plugs.
Some will be grounded and some won't.
I have a bunch of those (not approved cheater adaptors) and will try it out tomorrow.

[gfitzgerald]

In many homes in my area and in my house built in 1942 we have two wire and 1/2 steel flex. The flex grounds all the metal boxes. The two wires are cloth insulated and in my house very brittle as I found out when I changed all the plugs and switches out.My question is should we call the braided insulation out since we can see it in the main panel. I also found a tricky electrical installation, Some one changed the location of the porch light using the existing switch and since there was no neutral wire in the box they they just used the ground for the neutral to the light. Would this application compromise the whole electrical system ?

[Joe Farsetta]

Marcel,

I personally consider you as one of the best. I have to believe you were pullng our legs or trying to make a point.

When it comes to things commercial, you run circles around most of us. Just because a house isnt wired with 4160 doesnt mean that you're a neophite!

[Ron Chorey II]

Marcel,

I believe you can install a GFCI in the main panel and that should fix the room the breaker is for.. I have a rental that has had the main panel upgraded from a FPE. That is what the electrician said anyway. This upgrade will be permitted so I will see what the city inspector says. As 2 of the bedrooms have ungrounded outlets and there is no way to get grounds in easily wiithout drilling or taking off drywall.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

Marcel,

I personally consider you as one of the best. I have to believe you were pullng our legs or trying to make a point.

When it comes to things commercial, you run circles around most of us. Just because a house isnt wired with 4160 doesnt mean that you're a neophite!

Thanks Joe and yes I was trying to make a point so all including me, very well understood how we should all note in reports when confronted with two prong receptacles.
They are only grounded when that little ground wire is attached to the metal box. Period.
Your way of testing, I thought was very helpful to all, so we don't start checking in an invasive manner.
And yes a GFCI will add protection and also protect receptacles downstream.
Joe you certainly put out a lot of good tips in a very short time.
Good Job.

[Joe Farsetta]

Marcel,

When one day we finally meet, I owe you a beer...

And yes... in situations where that ground isnt extended, the GFCI is the only and best way to go.