PAbernathy

Yeah...basically in the 60's around the time the first series of AL wiring started to come out the makers of Zinsco swutched from CU buss to AL busses and they were awful in regards to pitting and causing arc's and overheating. They do make a copper retro-kit for the zinsco but you have to wonder....why even bother....Now the breakers ironically did not have a real problem with tripping....it was more to deal with the poor condition of the AL buss bars themselves. I have also seen my fair share of pushmatics and to be honest with you the biggest issue was replacement cost and limited capacity so really I don't have any research on their problem issues and I have not really witnessed any...that are more so glaring than the issues I find daily with Cutler Hammer, Square D and GE........breakers over time simply wear out with age and with age comes loose connections to the buss and possibly arc and heat issues.....age ends up getting us all in the end.

Yep.....exactly what Jim said....

lol...sorry as their is other way to say it. When I post something I like to back up WHY it is and basically for a lack of better term......even (2) # 4's together ( If allowed ) would not handle the 200A panel.....sorry sometimes I over educate but their is a method to the madness.

lol.....overdue alarm...lol.......I think I must have MADE up that word......yeah undue alarm is fine. My point is being tactful yet direct so that the point is across without causing one to be an alarmist by nature. However, they just call me DK in my area ( Deal Killa )

Good evaluation my friend........ 310.4 Conductors in Parallel. Aluminum, copper-clad aluminum, or copper conductors of size 1/0 AWG and larger, comprising each phase, neutral, or grounded circuit conductor, shall be permitted to be connected in parallel (electrically joined at both ends to form a single conductor). The Cross Section of (2) # 4 AWG has a Circular Mill of 41740 and do that times 2 would give you only 83,480 circular mills....so basically equal to a # 1 CU at best...lets assume all copper here as it makes it easier..... So even IF it was allowed ( which it is not via Article 310 ) it would under 310.15(b)(6) only be good for 150A....not 200A.....since a 2/0 CU has a 133,100 circular mill....so to answer your question....your GUT feeling was right and WELL DONE.....WELL DONE my friend. So in the end.....the parallel conductor is wrong....they are not larger than 1/0 and the conductors themselves are not " EVEN COMBINED" enough for the 200A service. ie: Circular Mills is the technical size of the conductor for clarrification. Sorry for being so technical....honestly I tried to break it down.... Electricians use this to size many things using the actual circular mils of the conductor...and I just used it to show why (2) # 4 AWG conductors are not the same as a 2/0 AWG CU conductor.....

Nothing really wrong with that statement. I would probably leave off the part about the intent of the electrical code but your message is given and as we know...at this point it is up to the client to make that choice down the road as to IF they want to have it fixed. SO in the end you did your job, make them aware in a manner you clearly stated was needing to be addressed NOW...without causing overdue alarm and you did it in a tactful way... Sounds fine to me.

I guess that question comes down to the HI itself, The support requirements are a safety standard as it would be also for GFCI on the counter top as a safety suggestion. No one dies from electrical shock UNTIL they actually die from electrical shock. A house stands for decades until it burns down......all kinds of things like that. This is why I gave the supports from the meter enclosure and the support at the mast within 12" is basically because of the safety element of the mast coming down if the messenger pulls loose...you have to account for that a well. If they have poor supports but DO have the 12" one and the proper support from the meter enclosure then I would not elevate it higher than marginal but think about the situation if their is no support at the meter enclosure and it is SE Cable....if it pulls away it could BIND the SE Cable and cause a short...whats actually protecting that SE from the inside OCPD to the pole...not MUCH.... Personally I think improper supports are a CHEAP fix and a needed one regardless of the age.

Randy, Sorry it took me some time to see this...i don't visit often unless you guys really need me and always feel free to give me a call as my phone is open for you guys as well. I suggest you visit www.theelectricalguru.com and watch my online video on sizing a service as it may assist you as I made that for a brief explanation but when sizing a service i would suggest the meter enclosure be thrown out IF you have other good information like the SE Conductor size, Panel Rating of the enclosure, and OCPD of the main panelboard and only use the meter enclosure for possible confirmation to what the others have lead you to. Usually what you have in the smaller round meter enclosures are generally 60A but in a short post war time you saw some reound at 100A but again for a HI since you can't get into the meter enclosure I would give this advice to HI's in that the meter is only to aid in a final conclussion and never used to actually size the service. Hope I explained that to you alright...if not please give me a call and i can explain it better but what I am saying is since the POCO can do what they want in most cases it makes it VERY hard to use the meter.....however i will say as long as you see a 200CL meter insert in a 200A panel or less it would generally be fine as well...BUT again don't rely on the CL information for much as it can be misleading......watch my video...

Chris, Always remember the support requirements on those kinda of things are in the support and securing requirements of the actual conduit being used and not under the service Article 230 of the NEC if that helps you any.

lol....thanks for the call Chicago. Got me while watching American Idol...lol Actually I figured while it was at a commerical I would pop on and elaborate....if the piping system we are speaking of is Rigid conduit is 3' or 5' depending but as home inspectors I would not worry about code actually and just make sure you see a support within 12" of the mast head and within 3-5' of the meter enclosure. and other than a thru the roof mast setup.....lets say it is just a side of the house design that is lets say EMT as well then it would be the same technically...remember 3' is minimum but 5' is allowed in specified allowances but again HI's should steer away from code so basically 3-5' would be considered safe. If you are talking about PVC running up the side then support it within 3' of the meter enclosure and supporting depends on the size of the PVC..... Basically the long and short....see that it is supported within 3-5' of the meter enclosure and then every 3-5' up to the mast head and within 12" of the mast head and you should be fine. Ok...back off to American Idol P.S. If you are speaking of SE Cable then support within 12" of the meter enclosure and every 30 inches and 12" from the connection point on the mast cap. P.S.S - Let me know if you would like me to get more technical on a specific support length...for the vert. supports between the points i have already listed.

ahh..I was just teasing ya...teheheh:)

(5) Metal Wiring Methods and Equipment. Metalsheathed cables and raceways, metal piping, and all fixed metal parts except those separated from the pool by a permanent barrier shall be bonded that are within the following distances of the pool: (1) Within 1.5 m (5 ft) horizontally of the inside walls of the pool (2) Within 3.7 m (12 ft) measured vertically above the maximum water level of the pool, or any observation stands, towers, or platforms, or any diving structures Yep, in this picture it should be bonded.

You got permission for that posted material fella...( just teasing ya..

Man I wish they could do as good a job as Mr. Holts images......I would be very happy with it because most of his are original content. I will see if I can get in touch with the local college...thanks for the advice.

Not a problem brother....LORD knows If I knew how to do such GREAT graphics as his TEAM of artists could I would have published my own book LONG ago.....I am working on a Interactive CD program for electrical training and to be honest with you the IMAGES are what is slowing my progress up......finding a GOOD graphic artist is a pain in the NECK

Yep, Please visit Mikes site and look at the EXPERT listed for VA and feel free to contact Sarina or Mike about my use of his images.......I am a listed educator with them. These images are being used with educational purposes and to help educate others. I chat with Mr. Holt via e-mail quite a bit and he would agree that education is the most important factor and why he has people like myself using his material simply because it is the best. http://www.mikeholt.com/e-rolodex_searc ... p?STATE=VA

Agreed....the changes and additions with the UL943 ( I believe that is the right UL number ) add's to the reliablity of these devices....they are progressing nicely.

This may help you understand.... Basically the main reason we do not like to see Different size EGC's terminated together is because it is hard to figure good contact among all conductors to the terminal bar...Lets say (1) 10 AWG is put in a terminal with a # 14 AWG......( Equipment Grounding Conductors mind you...) and you tightened it down....would it make the SAME important contact on the # 14 AWG as it would on the # 10 AWG...not hardly..... So while most manufactures will allow multiple taps ( if you want to use that word ) onto the Grounding Buss for EGC's that is fine....However, make sure they terminate accordingly otherwise in a fault condition it may ARC...and we know ARC's jump away from the point of ARC because of the Magnetic fields and laws of opposition....so it could leave a situation where the OCPD may not trip...YEP..it is possible. It's important for people to NOT get into a everyday routine and forget some important safety factors....Hope this was helpful... Notice- It has been a violation to put " Grounded" conductors under the same termination on a grounded/grounding buss bar for years..per UL Standard 67 and the intent of the manufactures markings of their equipment. The ABOVE info is refering to the EGC ( Equipment Grounding Conductor ), If you wish to know the hazards of a double tapped Grounded( Neutral) on a buss bar.....just ask me...

Yep....just another one of the MANY Grounding & Bonding myths we see in the seminar world. Finally glad people are catching on that the Ground Rod and other electrodes only play a role in Lightning, High Voltage Surges and Contact Surges.....not in the function of the OCPD and so on. In my seminars I have a fast and easy way to explain it...and it is catching on thanks to educators and people like Mr. Holt.

Some would argue that an improper termination on the set screw of a GFCI ( or any receptacle or switch for that matter ) is worse than a properly done back stab. While many are against back stabbing ( and I am not here to defend it.. it is accepted by the UL Listing when the device is tested so while some may not like it...they are still being made but we are lucky now they make the stab holes smaller to avoid 12 AWG in most of the newer ones... But alas...probably not all of them.....

Handbook for Electrical Safety The ever increasing awareness of Electrical Safety and Arc-Flash is having an enormous impact on our industry. As recent as 10 years ago, very few of us had read or even heard of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Today, almost anyone involved in the design, maintenance, inspection or installation of electrical equipment has heard of or even attended seminars to learn about NFPA 70E. Cooper Bussmann has put forth an enormous amount of effort and time in the collective forces of NFPA 70E and how it pertains to Arc-Flash and Arc-Blast. Too often, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is thrown at the problem without ever understanding this phenomenon. Cooper Bussmann's Safety BASICs Edition 2 has been designed to address the Arc-Flash and Arc-Blast hazards. It will guide you through identifying the hazards, the role of Overcurrent Protective Devices (OCPD's), Electrical Incident and Hazard Prevention as well as Design suggestions for new and existing installations to help minimize the incident energy. Cooper Bussmann also offers services that will aid in performing and assessing an Arc-Flash Hazard analysis. An increasing number of organizations are actively promoting electrical safety for employees. The National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, an American National Standard, is updated on a three-year cycle. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) publishes the Yellow Book, the IEEE Guide for Maintenance, Operation, and Safety of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems, and IEEE 1584â„¢, the "IEEE Guide for Performing Arc-flash Hazard Calculations." Cooper Bussmann makes available an "Arc-flash Calculator Guide," see Annex G and an arc-flash calculator on its website (www.bussmann.com). The University of Chicago Trauma Center has a unit that specializes in electrical burns and related injuries. Its interests are not only on improving treatment methods but also in providing insight into electrical injuries and awareness of how to avoid electrical hazards. Major manufacturers and entire industries are seeing benefits of becoming more involved in promoting employee safety awareness programs. The purpose of this Safety BASICsâ„¢ handbook is to do the following: Increase awareness of safety issues for individuals who work on or near electrical equipment as well as system operators and equipment designers/specifiers. Provide safety principles to be used for protecting individuals from potential injuries and even death caused by electrical hazards. Provide some means to perform flash hazard analysis. Provide some design, system upgrades and work practice suggestions that enhance electrical safety in the workplace. This material is designed to provide the reader with an overview of hazards associated with exposure to electrical energy. It highlights standards and standard organizations, and offers guidance on safety procedures and a number of key principles that can help to minimize exposure to electrical hazards. Knowing how to minimize the exposure to electrical hazards or reducing the hazard itself can help to reduce future injuries and even deaths. The Safety BASICs program is for the supervisor, manager, electrician, engineer, and the designer/specifier of equipment used in the electrical system. The IEEE makes it very clear that, "Engineers engaged in the design and operation of electrical systems protection should familiarize themselves with the most recent OSHA regulations and all other applicable regulations related to human safety." To the IEEE, providing adequate safety means going beyond the minimum requirements of consensus standards. Perhaps a statement in the IEEE "Buff Book" says it best: "Safety has priority over service continuity, equipment damage or economics." Click below to download Bussman's Safety Basics (Handbook for Electrical Safety). http://www.mikeholt.com/img/mojonews/SafetyHandbook2004.pdf

(4) Bonding Conductive Materials to an Effective Ground-Fault Current Path. To remove dangerous voltage from ground faults, electrically conductive metal water piping systems, metal sprinkler piping, metal gas piping, and other metal-piping systems, as well as exposed structural steel members that are likely to become energized, must be bonded to an effective ground-fault current path. Figure Above Author’s Comment: The phrase “likely to become energizedâ€

Thanks brother....I think I fixed the link

Video on real estate agents and Inspections.

In case anyone wanted an updated electricians check list to help explain some of the latest issues you may run into. It is kinda a General Wiring Sheet, I also give this to all my new crews. http://www.nachi.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=43&d=1136035954