Jeff Remas

Jeff, Do any of your POCOs require a steel ell in that location? We've had issues here where the string cuts through the PVC as it goes around the corner while pulling those fat service cables. - Jim Katen, Oregon No, not for residential but I do see them for commercial at the base of the poles that the conductors run down. The problem is that everyone transitions to PVC and they always separate there so at the base of every pole (XFMR on pole, not pad mounted) there is always a gap with the conductors on the secondary exposed.

As Jim stated, 300.5(J) covers this issue. This is from one of our our local POCOs: http://inspectpa.com/download/slipriser.pdf

This is the #1 reason I like PVC and slip risers.

Spoke with a Flir factory rep today and he did not have anything good to say about the B40. He said for the price you are better off with a BCAM SD over the B40 but he did recommend the B50 over both due to all the bells and whistles and resolution for the price. Since I may have to hire a full time inspector very shortly heading into the winter, I may just keep the money and not purchase anything.

Please, lets cut to the chase: For those of you who have thermal imaging cameras I have two questions: 1) Are you making a profit from it (you charge extra for its use and it is being paid off)? or 2) Is this another toy to make you feel comfortable with your inspection and you justify the cost by saying you found stuff you would not have found otherwise but see no increase in revenue to pay for the expense?

I don't see any clearance issues. Why a code cite? Does the manufacturer have any particular requirements?

210.52(B)(3) allows receptacles required by this section to serve the dining room but does not require that they do.

Kitchen countertops require 2 - 20amp circuits. Has nothing to do with the dining room. I can't believe I have to go back almost 6 years to find a thread that Katen did not already post on!

Chris, sorry for the delay with my post but yes, it still has to be bonded, even 3 code cycles later.

Actually, in all seriousness, you cannot tap a tap. tip tap tapity tip toe

Can you tap a tap?

yeah, 10'. What he said and for the same reasons.

Damn you Katen, you are always beating me to the punch with these electrical posts.

I belong to the NFPA and get an NEC newsbrief newsletter. There is always a question that the NFPA officially answers. I thought this one was a no brainer but the detailed, long answer was enlightening. Question: Can 14-2 wire be used for the switch leg of a light fixture where the branch circuit is protected by a 20-amp circuit breaker? If this is prohibited by the Code, why can 15-amp switches and receptacles be used on 20-ampere circuits? Answer: The conductors from a switch location to the lighting outlet it controls are considered branch-circuit conductors, not tap conductors connected to branch-circuit conductors. These conductors are subject to the general overcurrent protection requirements of 210.20(B), which points to 240.4 for the specific overcurrent protection requirement. Section 240.4(D) specifies that 14 AWG copper conductors are to be protected by an overcurrent protective device with a rating or setting no higher than 15 amperes. Table 210.24, which summarizes the requirements for branch circuits with two or more outlets or receptacles, specifies that the minimum conductor size for a 20-ampere-rated branch circuit is 12 AWG. Section 210.21(B)(3) permits a 15-ampere receptacle to be connected to a 20-ampere rated branch circuit. The terminals of feed-through type receptacles rated 15 amperes are tested for the heating that will result from the full load of a 20-ampere branch circuit. In addition, the attachment caps of cord-and-plug-connected appliances are configured based on the appliance load. If the appliance is rated greater than 15 amperes, its cord cap will not be compatible with the configuration of a 15-ampere receptacle. Snap switches installed on branch circuits are subject to the load requirements specified in 404.14. For ac general-use snap switches controlling resistive or inductive lighting loads, the minimum rating cannot be less than the load it supplies. In other words, a 15-ampere switch installed on a 20-ampere circuit can supply a load of 15 amperes. For switches controlling lighting outlets supplied by 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits, it is the load controlled by the switch and not the rating of the branch circuit that determines the switch's minimum ampere rating.

They normally lock out both legs, never one. too dangerous to do that. Something is wrong.

It should be on its own breaker and mounted outside

I personally don't flag them as a problem for existing homes. I don't see it as a defect. On new construction as a code inspector I can't allow it due to 101.3(B) if it is not listed on the panel. From a home inspection standpoint, there are bigger fish to fry than something like that. It is more of a "prove you are right" than a concern or actual defect. Agree, moving it outside the panel now that you flagged it is easier than arguing about it.

I don't like metal valleys period. I would rather see ice and water with a weave or the shingles cut in.

What code cycle applies?

I do a lot of commercial inspections, hence the reference.

Plastic boxes cannot be used with MC. Not designed for that application. If you are not going to get the job inspected by the local electrical inspector then don't worry about it. No one will ever know until something goes wrong.

Yup, Install all the boxes you want but just don't hook up any wiring to it. I use 334.10(3) to cite NM used for a garbage disposal under a sink. Or I cite subject to physical damage 334.15(B). Unfortunately 334.15 sort of contradicts 334.10(3). I think this is a poorly written section. Maybe we should debate the use of NM in an unfinished basement where 10/2 NM is used to feed down to the top of a water heater where the last staple in above the water heater on a joist 42" above the connection.

Yes, they(plastic boxes) can be installed in open, unfinished framing. Carlon, a manufacturer specifically states that this is allowed.

Tell the painter to use a bucket of salt water and a brush to clean it.

100A is a requirement for the 203K program through HUD.