Ken Meyer

I think I found the answer in Code Check. "EGCs must run w/other conductors of circuit. EXC Replacing nongrounding receptacles. Separate EGC OK from box to service or ground bar of panel where circuit originates."

Grounding wires to receptacles must run along with the conductors to those receptacles, correct? I think I remember this being discussed before. This 1950 house had a new service and panel (with permits), exterior ground rods, and a bonding wire to the copper pipes at the water heater. The bonding wire to the water heater passes through a terminal bar mounted to a floor joist, and grounding wires go from there to outlets in the basement and elsewhere. It looks to me like the electrician grandfathered in an existing situation where the outlets had been "grounded" to a water pipe, judging from the older splices and separate grounding wires to older J boxes. The water service has been replaced with PEX, so the old system of "grounding" those outlets was lost. So my question is: must grounding wires run along with the conductors in either conduit or in a cable assembly like romex? Click to Enlarge 55.62 KB Click to Enlarge 28.97 KB Click to Enlarge 44.61 KB Click to Enlarge 32.76 KB

All of the old DWV piping in the house has been replaced with ABS except for a 3' or so section of the waste stack vent through the roof. Aside from the fact that the cast iron section is unsupported and distorting the neoprene reducing fitting, is it acceptable to reduce the waste vent stack like this? Click to Enlarge 42.74 KB Click to Enlarge 42.89 KB

Another handy on line reference click here The site moved, it's here. http://www.buildingcenter.org/

I carry extra panel screws with me, but only for use if I lose one. I'd rather write up a defect that fix it.

Somehow someone lost all of the original panel cover screws. We've probably all come across this situation. When I got the cover off I realized what could have happened if the screws were just a little bit longer.[:-bigeyes I did not that particular screw back in. Click to Enlarge 36.56 KB Click to Enlarge 23.1 KB

This deck was toast. Rotted beams, joists, deck boards, railings, and the middle post had settled, but the owners were not ready to give up on it. Guess they used the orange shim (I think it's a splitting wedge) to take care of the bounce. Several large conifers that drop needles year round guaranteed that the deck would fail, no one would ever keep up with cleaning those needles out all the time, especially in winter. Click to Enlarge 42.98 KB Click to Enlarge 26.18 KB Click to Enlarge 26.62 KB

At the bottom right part of the label it says Federal Pacific Electric Company, I think it's just a different type of FPE panel than you are used to seeing.

Thanks Jim. I wanted to make sure. This was a re inspection. I had called this out the first time, but this and other items in the panel were not corrected, no surprise.

There are 2 conductors under the large lug at the top of the grounding/neutral bar on this Cutler Hammer panel. Is that lug rated for more than one conductor? The photo is as close as I could get. The black conductor is the neutral to a sub panel, I've called that out. Thanks Click to Enlarge 54.81 KB

Kindle for PC is available from Amazon for free. That way you can have the reference books on your laptop, and you wouldn't need the Kindle.

The pictures are still a bit small, but here's what I can make out in the sub panel. Only a 3 wire feed, there is no neutral from the main panel. White wires used as hot conductors.

Thank you.

This vent is coming out at an odd angle, but I couldn't find anything specifically addressing vents out of plumb in Code Check. What are the implications of an out of plumb vent, if any? Click to Enlarge 56.98 KB Click to Enlarge 54.49 KB

Thanks. I saw that same illustration when Googling trying to find a name for it. It didn't occur to me that it was the same thing missing a part. I have no idea why this fitting was used instead of a more conventional one, it was a pretty straight forward layout in a 50's rancher.

Thanks, Kurt. I passed this along to some friends who are planning to replace an FPE panel as part of a kitchen remodel, this could save them some money. They just got the bid from their general contractor and are now looking for places to trim costs.

I hadn't seen this type of fitting before, sort of like a ball and socket joint. Just out of curiosity, does any one know what it's called? It looks like you could move it around to the position you want, then pack the joint. Click to Enlarge 35.46 KB

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That's not the only one. I haven't inspected that many standing seam roofs, but this seems to be a common installation problem. Click to Enlarge 48.71 KB Click to Enlarge 58.19 KB

Thanks Marc. I can see that happening, not much slope as you can see. Click to Enlarge 77.86 KB

These spongy foam blocks are installed along both sides of a continuous ridge vent. Do they allow for much air flow? It doesn't seem that they would. There is no other roof ventilation, and no attic, this is a small ranch home with vaulted ceilings throughout. The foam blocks are all gunked up with algae. If they are intended to allow for air flow, I think the only way to clean them is to remove every one, clean them, and put them back. Click to Enlarge 61.09 KB Click to Enlarge 49.01 KB

Yes, they were off. I was able to get the swivels undone to test the faucets.

Testing for garlic?? The house did stink, all the carpets were badly stained. What are the beads in the canisters and how are they used?

Found this in a foreclosed home. They didn't even take the time to unscrew the hoses from the washer. Click to Enlarge 20.19 KB

There were a few of these plastic canisters found on window sills in various rooms in a bank owned house. They have small beads in them. It looks like someone was testing for something, but what? Click to Enlarge 29.32 KB Click to Enlarge 14.65 KB