rkenney

The NEC specifically prohibits non-intended uses in 110.14 (A) 110.14 Electrical Connections. Because of different characteristics of dissimilar metals, devices such as pressure terminal or pressure splicing connectors and soldering lugs shall be identified for the material of the conductor and shall be properly installed and used. Conductors of dissimilar metals shall not be intermixed in a terminal or splicing connector where physical contact occurs between dissimilar conductors (such as copper and aluminum, copper and copper-clad aluminum, or aluminum and copper-clad aluminum), unless the device is identified for the purpose and conditions of use. Materials such as solder, fluxes, inhibitors, and compounds, where employed, shall be suitable for the use and shall be of a type that will not adversely affect the conductors, installation, or equipment. Informational Note: Many terminations and equipment are marked with a tightening torque. (A) Terminals. Connection of conductors to terminal parts shall ensure a thoroughly good connection without damaging the conductors and shall be made by means of pressure connectors (including set-screw type), solder lugs, or splices to flexible leads. Connection by means of wire-binding screws or studs and nuts that have upturned lugs or the equivalent shall be permitted for lOA WG or smaller conductors. Terminals for more than one conductor and terminals used to connect aluminum shall be so identified.

Still wrong in my opinion. Those circuits terminate at the common neutral and the common neutral terminates at the bus bar. I'm not saying it's right. I'm reflecting on the definition of 'termination'. Marc Semantics. 'Course we could just call it a 'node' and really confuse everyone. Your point in that context is well taken. A node is an elactrical connection from which new values of current and voltage are calculated.

I disagree. Any connection involving more than two conductors is a termination. A connection involving only two conductors isn't a termination because the current flowing in each are identical to each other. Marc Why am I not surprised? How 'bout I say "...the circuits are not terminated at the wire nut." I think everybody else got that. We all know that the panel board provides a screw termination for every individual wire it is designed to handle. John's premise is that the article he referenced addresses the problem in the original post. However it addresses only the service aspect of conjoined neutrals and not the operational safety problem imposed by a shared neutral.

Douglas Hansen already gave you the code cite. Note that it is not the same as the one presented in the article you referenced. The reason being that they are dealing with two separate issues. In your article it specifically draws attention to the problem created when you try to isolate circuits sharing a common connection while under load. This problem occurs only when you try to 'service' individual circuits. While this problem also exists for multiple neutrals that are wire nutted together the problem originally discussed dealt solely with the current carrying capacity of a shared neutral. This problem occurs when the circuits are in normal operation (under a load).

Nice try, John. The article you referenced deals specifically with sticking more than one neutral under a single neutral bus screw. Assuming the screw remains tight (a false assumption, as history has shown) each neutral only carries its own load. In a shared neutral one wire (regardless of length) carries the entire load of multiple circuits, as in the original post.

Wires in a panel board always terminate (end) under a screw, either at at a breaker (non grounded conductor) or at the neutral or ground buss. The article referenced deals strictly with termination. The neutrals in the OP do not terminate at the wire nuts. They terminate through the short single conductor that is attached to the neutral buss. They share this conductor. Whether it is for 6 inches in the panel or 12 feet from a remote junction box, it is a shared neutral.

Shared neutrals are allowed only when the circuits originate from separate poles on the bus. The reason for this would be that the load on the nuetral would not be exceeded when both circuits were in operation because they would each be 180 degrees separate from one another. When one cycle is positive the other would be negative and vice versa. The resultant neutral load is not additive. Your second picture clearly shows three circuit neutrals combined to one. This is not allowed and unsafe. Clearly at least two of these circuits must share the same phase. Your first picture (yellow wire nut) would only be allowed if the two originating circuits (hots) came from opposite sides of the panel.

Sounds like the high limit switch turns off the gas (180 deg.) on the first cycle. Blower continues to run to pull the high limit switch low (90-95 deg.). This is normal operation. Furnace cycles on again because the target temperature (T-stat) was not reached first time around. Your on the right track. Most likely cause is an air flow restriction. i.e. dirty restricted filters (you already checked that), blocked intake or outlet registers, dirty A coil (pet hair is typical). Of course since you say that this situation existed since installation it is possible that the installation (installers) did not accomodate the duct size correctly (small ducts - low flow).

A thermopile provides the electrical current to operate the gas valve. A thermopile converts heat energy (must have the pilot lit) to electrical power (in millivolts). Because the power production is so low this arrangement is not suitable for remote thermostats and as a result not intended to provide primary heat for a living space. It does incorporate a high limit switch to prevent overheating the unit.

I have no problem with taped wire nuts. You just pointed out two good reasons for them. As long as the tape is not a substitute for the proper connector. 'Course the problem with tape is you don't know what's under it till you remove it. That's messy, as is any repair that requires access. Just a PIA from a service point of view.

Gun laws vary from state to state. I certainly don't know what they are in Michigan. The weapon needn't have been used in a crime, however, most abandoned/hidden/discarded guns are stolen property. As far as warrants go, again I'm no legal beagle, but there is a thing known as probable cause. Used, rightly or wrongly, to confiscate all kinds of property, search and seizure with and without warrants. So assuming your right and as you suggest the local gendarme says they can do nothing you have still fulfilled your obligation. Most of us, again - including me, will base our decisions on what to do on what we expect the outcome to be. This however is a bad way to go about it. If, for example, as so many do, you've pre-decided that there will be no action or that you will look foolish, then you will do nothing. Inaction is the sorry state of the world we live in. The OP presented a certain scenario and asked what each of us would do. If for each of the responses the respondee feels he has done the right thing, then so be it. I hope I have not seemed like I was trying to convince anyone of what they should do. Rather, I have merely indicated what I would do and the reasoning thereof.

I always report present conditions (including documented shortcomings of reported items.) Social conditions reflect the population and interaction of the inhabitants of the immediate neighborhood. Richard's post suggested that he would report/inform the client of a registered child molester. That is a social condition. Why is it my responsibility to report a neighborhood situation that is easily looked up (registered). Don't share your personal fears and prejudices. Is it my responsibility to intervene in a crime in progress? Yes! But only within the limits of my own ability. After the fact it becomes vigilantism, beyond the limits of my responsibility and an unreasonable extension of my own prejudices.

Report what you see. If you are confident (can positively identify) the holes are from a 9mm, report it. Those are present conditions. Whether or not a crime was committed is speculation, leave that to the client. The OP suggested that there was no physical evidence remaining. What possible benefit can be achieved by reporting a past event which has no bearing on the present condition of the property. Subsequent posts suggested reporting on social conditions which again, have nothing to do with the condition of the property. You might as well discuss the weather. The post about the handgun described a real and present danger. The post did not specify whether or not the property was vacant at the time of inspection. If the property was vacant I would report the handgun to the police, at that point it was abandoned or discarded and is entirely within their jurisdiction. It is no different than reporting any other immediate safety concern (gas leak, electrical, etc.) At that level of need it is an emergency. Call the appropriate authorities. Don't absolve yourself of responsibility by expecting someone else (the realtor) to report it. People, myself included, have been led to believe that it is okay to editorialize, simply because this is the standard we are subjected to by the media. It is not okay, it is what I have come to consider 'background noise.' A constant and unneeded distraction from making well thought and useful decisions.

It's not a slippery slope, Bob. ... then you are a more cold blooded professional than I am. My response is not based on 'slippery slope,' although one could certainly argue that. Rather it exceeds the limit and the authority of my role as a home inspector. As do all the other examples given, which are all equal in my estimation as exceeding those limits. You can not protect people from themselves (or inform them of more than they want to know.) Any attempt to do so will merely cause resentment and frustration, not sound business practice. It is their responsibility to inform themselves. Your post boldened the words typical and unusual as if everyone has the same definition. In truth, we each scale the same circumstances differently depending upon our own experiences as if they were the only ones.

No! Deffinately not! It is not relevant. Neither is the disclosure of the existing or prior neighbors, discussion of the neighborhood in general, the condition or lack of local schools or public amenities etc. etc. Where would it end? I am hired to report on the condition of the property at the time of the inspection only. It is unprofessional and evokes both an emotional and moral judgement. The onus of disclosure at that level is between the realtor or seller and the buyer if at all. Future property values (ROI) are not my responsibility or concern. In the words of Joe Friday, 'Just the facts, ma'am'.

Don't forget: Porsche Tatra Citreon Panhard Fiat Honda All had air cooled engines in production automobiles at one time or another.

Suretest and a 'wiggy'

The two bare wires at the top of John's 'borrowed' picture connect to the neutral terminal and the ground of the tester. Close inspection of the picture will reveal that it is upside down. The closest terminal to the lens is the ground, that makes the upper terminal neutral and the lowest terminal hot. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the uppermost neon bulb is fresh (rarely lit) and the bottom two bulbs have done the bulk of work over this testers existence. Shorting the neutral to ground at this point will make no difference whatsoever. None of these tester even have light patterns for neutral to ground reversal, as far as the tester is concerned they are one and the same. The description of the occurrence in the OP doesn't say anything about the tester being physically 'jarred' to correct the assumed short (which if it was hot to ground would burn through the wiring), so how was it self corrected? Look at it again.

They are neon lamps, not LEDs. I don't believe I've ever seen one with LEDs, although it should be possible, all the newer christmas lights are LED.

Yeah, he'll probably be dressed in bib overalls, and come with an infrared camera. Wonder who'll get the royalty for that?

2 feet higher than anything within 10 feet still applies. The primary consideration here is draft not fuel, although there are minor differences for the actual height above the roof for different fuels. B vent: 1 foot above a 6-in-12 roof 2 feet above a 9-in-12 4 feet above a 12-in-12 L vents at least 2 feet above the roof

Crimped connectors are allowed for wiring splices. Copallum connectors for example are the approved crimp repair for alluminum wiring. If by barrel connector you mean the cheesy crimp connector readily found at auto stores nationwide for stranded wiring, these are not suitable. In fact they only work well if you use an appropriate crimping tool properly to shape the crimp. That is the key to crimped connections: using the right tool! Crimped connectors do exist for and have long been used by electricians and code says you must use the manufacturers tool. If you want to examine every splice to verify it was done correctly go right ahead, but it is beyond the scope of a home inspection. If you suspect a problem pass it off to further inspection, but you already knew that, be prepared to explain your call. 110.14 (B) Splices. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered splices shall first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then be soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose. Last line says electrical tape alone will be insufficient. With taped wire nuts, the tape is not the insulator (unless its screwed up and the insulation was stripped back too far) just messy.

Splices are permitted in panelboards long as the maximum fill is not exceeded. 312.8 Enclosures for Switches or Overcurrent Devices. Enclosures for switches or overcurrent devices shall not be used as junction boxes, auxiliary gutters, or raceways for conductors feeding through or tapping off to other switches or overcurrent devices, unless adequate space for this purpose is provided. The conductors shall not fill the wiring space at any cross section to more than 40 percent of the cross-sectional area of the space, and the conductors, splices, and taps shall not fill the wiring space at any cross section to more than 75 percent of the cross-sectional area of that space.

NO!

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