homnspector

Here is a nice one I ran into today, luckly had my rubber suit on. Does this violate any known code?[] Download Attachment: today.JPG 27.18 KB

Hey again, posted this on an electrical forum. They didnt know either. Must be something the homeowner saw on This Old House. http://electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum1/HTML/006058.html

OK, I usually refer pool inspections out but am getting a little fed up with the lack of detail and missed items. I guess 1 is an older style bag filter, high maintenance, difficult to clean. Check the bag for rips or wear?? Not very effective filterimg. #2 looks like some kind of DE filter maybe. I guess you could dismantle it and check the screens but I think I would just check the gauge to see if it needed backwashing and recharging. Very effective filtering. Some areas dont like you backwashing them onto the enviornment. #3 I think is a sand filter. I dont know what you could do bu tcheck the pressure guage to see if it needs backwashing. Maybe check the sand level. Fairly effective filtering. #4 Trying to fool me, this is not a filter but is a special type of pressure gauge used at nuclear power plants.

This is an interresting example of hidden defects. Some of you may have seen this before. I could find 4 problem areas. http://www.tekzoned.com/whatswrong/

Is it a satisfactory repair to splice the double circuit to a single lead to the breaker?

Thanks for the suggestions. At least I dont feel so stupid now. Standing there with the buyer saying "Gee, actually I have no idea what those are". They never like to hear "I've never seen anything like this". Forum is great, thanks all.

No, they were definately a manufactured item. As I recall, the end under the breaker lug was not wire but was a solid copper leg.Sise is about 6 inches long and 1/2 inch diameter. There are 3 in the panel

I ran into this about a year ago and have not been able to ID the black plastic tubes connected to the 220 breaker wiring. Only thing I could think of was some kind of fuse link which makes no sense. I looked up the old report and realize these are baseboard heater circuits (at least the top 2 are). Typical no breaker labels. Would a surge protector help on one leg of the 220? Download Attachment: whatsthis.JPG 50.85 KB Download Attachment: Whatsthis2.JPG 483.99 KB

I found more info on this at the ASHI website Notes regarding multiwire (shared-neutral) branch circuits 1. For a detailed article about how these circuits are wired, see the ASHI Technical Journal, Vol 2 No 1 Winter 1992 p. 27-30 In addition to the author, Neal Macneale III, Douglas Hansen and Dan Friedman edited and illustrated this material. 2. Use of linked double-pole or two-pole circuit breakers is recommended: Pending further research and development of authoritative citations, the following is the opinion of the author: Multiwire branch circuits should be protected by a double-pole common-internal trip circuit breaker, including the physical "trip tie" which bonds the two circuit breaker switches together. This is a safety measure which protects people working on the building wiring and which helps assure that the circuit is wired properly at the panel. Even if local building inspectors do not require this measure we recommend it as a safety item and as good construction practice. Explanation: a. Required by National Electrical Code for split receptacles, as per paragraph 210-4-b. b. Using a double-pole breaker assures that the two legs of the circuit will be forced (in most panels) to opposite legs of the 240-volt panel - a requirement when circuits use a shared neutral, such as in multiwire branch circuits. If individual 120V breakers are used, it's possible for a future modification or rearrangement of breakers in the panel to in advertently move one or both individual breakers so that they both end up on the same 120V leg of the panel - which is improper when a shared neutral is involved. (Improper because the shared unbalanced load could exceed the rating of the wire.) c. Using a double-pole assures that if one leg of the circuit is being turned off for electrical repair/modification work in the building, the other leg is forced off as well. Otherwise it is possible for the mechanic to be shocked while working on the circuit, since the neutral wire of the supposedly "dead" circuit could be carrying current from the sister "live" circuit. 3. Electrical code notes: 3.a. ASHI Member Frank Luciano spoke with Al Weiss, New York State building code authority (Building code support office at World Trade Center, New York City) regarding the requirement for linking or common-trip ties for these circuits. Mr. Weiss' opinion was that if he sees individual breakers in the panel on a multiwire circuit he will not call it out as an issue for failure to link the breakers together. The discussion did not review possible relocation of one of the breakers to the same phase or "leg" of the panel as the other. Mr. Weiss interpretation of the National Electric Code is that if, on a multiwire circuit, the two phases are wired to the same electrical receptacle (upper portion to one phase, lower to another phase, by breaking the tie on the receptacle sides) then a common-trip breaker should be used on that circuit. He also opined that if breakers were wired in parallel, rather than in series, as is done in some states, then common trip ties are not required. http://www.inspect-ny.com/electric/multiwir.htm

I am interested in the 18 volt reading. I am thinking it may be 110 volts but poorly grounded. What are you using to ground the meter for the reading? Could really zap somebody if they were well grounded.

I'm wondering if anyone else has tried to tackle the issue of split circuits in the breaker panel. Red and black wires on adjacent 110 breakers usually indicates a shared neutral. 2 electricians I have asked stated that these should be installed on 2 pole internal trip breakers. The neutral may be energized by the adjacent circuit, creating a hazard for anyone working on the circuit even though the breaker for the specific appliance or circuit is turned off. Last time I called this out, the builders electrician said it was not a problem, was not prohibited by NEC unless both circuits serve the same outlet (top and bottom 1/2 of the outlet on different circuits). Looking it up in NEC, I see that a 2 pole breaker is not required but trust my electricians who say single pole breakers are not safe for split circuits. I have pretty much given up calling it out as I see it constantly. Any feedback is appreciated.