ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Photos for General Discussion Is This a Violation?

My concern at this point would be the wiring throught the house. To take such an approach to something that is a little more important (al/cu connections) makes me wonder about the stuff that is less likely to be an obvious problem but still a danger. As for a solution to this I would install a receptacle and cord as you did. Otherwise split bolts would be the way to go.

[This message has been edited by Electricmanscott (edited 02-19-2003).]

Bruce:
Don explained the "no trip" situation, and Think Good spotted the Al/Cu wirenuts,

My two cents:
Have you attempted to contact the EC??
Have you contacted the builder??
Does your area have licenses for EC's? IF they do, that should be your first stop. Here in NJ, the State Board can be the consumers best friend.
The AHJ may be able to guide you in pursuing a solution to this situation.
John

Electricmanscott:
Thanks for the help. I do worry about the rest of the house and I have looked at many of the items that are truly a concern. My only problem is things I miss or haven't got to. To take off every cover, climb through the attic and dig through the insulation, move appliances and others will take a tremendous amount of time. I wonder if the builder had to pay me $20/hour to do this how much profit would he be still making on this house.

Hotline1:
Here's the change for the 2 cents
I haven't attempted to contact the EC yet, not until the inspector looks over everything. My one dealing with him during the building process was less than stellar.
The builder has moved out of the area (Augusta GA). He bought an old rundown mansion by the beach and is fixing it up to make his $$$$$.
There are licenses for EC's here, but I will need to talk to more people to understand what is involved and how to file a complaint. I am hoping the AHJ will help if we can ever get together.

I am really impressed with everyone on this board. I (wrongly) thought that I would see animosity and defense of a fellow EC. When I finally get around to building my own house (actually doing the work), I will be asking many more questions of you guys. Thanks for all the input. I'll let you know (if you are interested) what the outcome of this is.

Beware the Purple wirenuts! They could be more dangerous than anything you could rig yourself!

See http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum/alreduce.htm

For something this size, I would use Al/Cu split-bolt connectors with rubber tape, or Polaris blocks.

This is I believe,what my yankee colleagues refer to as a "Hack Job" My question is how does someone who does work like this live with themselves?The money it would cost to do this correctly would be very little.Russell

resqcapt19:

My eyes must be playing tricks. I thought the box was bonded using an Al conductor--it looked like bare 2 twisted Al conductors, connected with the bare Cu conductor. The Al sort of disappears behind the insulated conductors in the photo.

bchase:


Please explain "OL panels." Also, it would be interesting to hear what the problems are with the IR camera.

Thanks.

i am suprised how did someone almost got away with cu/al connetion my self i will never use that arragement i will use split bolts or poralis connetion device.

also i notied the box in the second photo look like little tight. is that box is 4X4X11/2 deep?? if that so that is too small for # 6 wires anyway.

try to remeber the splice and the room in the box .

i use 4X4X21/2 or 6X6 X 2 inch boxes for # 6 cables for more felxiblty it is better to use larger box so dont have so much strain on the wires itself (it help to keep conneters cool someway to leave some room inside)

merci marc

ThinkGood:

No, the box is not bonded with the feeder. There is an AL wire that is tied to the cable for the range. The only real path to ground would be the metalic sheath covering the cable (not a valid path).

As for the IR camera. What I meant to say is that I use it in a heavy industrial environment. I (along with a technician) perform scans on the 13.8KV system down to the 120 V system. Of course, the emphasis is on the 13.8 KV and the 480 V gear. I still do many (NOT ALL) of the 120 receptacle and lighting panels while I have the camera out. The most common (and pretty much the only) things I find are overloaded (OL) breakers in the recept panels. It is common on a receptacle, to have those (NASTY) surge strips with enough plugged into it to pull 18-20A on 1 20A breaker. These show up very well in a panel. When I figure how to post a picture, I'll include 1. There are some limitations to an IR camera though. Temperature is not correctly shown most of the time. The ideal way is to compare with a past picture or with like systems (configuration and loads).


see this web site for good info. http://www.snellinfrared.com/inthepress/Rice.pdf


Of course, the biggest problem with IR scans of electrical systems is how do you see the load carrying components SAFELY. You CAN'T open the doors to the 13.8 KV switch while energized. There are 2 products that help with this. I will be trying each during our power outage scheduled for July. http://www.hawk-ir.com/
or http://www.squared.com/us/services_support/squared_services.nsf/unid/8454D5FB98F8666A85256B1B00681928/$file/infraredinspectionpage.htm

Hope this all works!!!!

yaktx:
Learn something new every day.
thanks for the update, will pursue other avenues for this in the future.
Jim

Bruce, i am an EC just about 70 miles south of you in Statesboro. As soon as you get the AHJ out there, find out who was the EC on your house. The General can not do the installation unless he was going to occupy the dwelling. This is state law! Once you find out who did the install, contact the construction division of the Sec. of States office. http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/boards.htm

You can file a complaint online but i suggest you call first for prompt action. The SOS will send an investigator out to check this ace electrician.

The AHJ might not be much help since they passed this inspection and they want to cover their own @ss.

There is legislation underway right now to require all GC to carry a license. This will make them liable to these types of issues.

Contact me via email if i can help in any way.