ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area bathroom GFCI in old house

...I'd have to go along with Scott,...or...only if the AHJ is willing to sign off on it,..steal the feed from an adjacent source, if running the line was cost prohibitive or next to impossible..but only if the AHJ okay's it,and signs off on it.
Russ

[This message has been edited by Attic Rat (edited 02-19-2005).]

Scott and I live in MA we follow an amended NEC and we have 'Rules' placed ahead of the NEC.

In this case it is "Rule 3"


I would not consider breaking this rule while on the clock of my employer. If I ran my own business (like Scott) I would not break this rule. In my opinion it is not worth the risk to the business.

That is too bad for the reasons Roger pointed out.

As a favor for family or friends I would consider it after looking at the conditions. If it was 15 amp circuit in good condition with proper grounding means I would do it with out loosing any sleep.

If it was ratty K&T I would not.

We each have to draw the line where we can live with it.

Bob

Quote:
"If it was 15 amp circuit in good condition with proper grounding means I would do it with out loosing any sleep."

"If it was ratty K&T I would not."

___________________________________________

Good condition, is what you are looking for.
Thank you, Bob

It was pretty ratty rag wire Bx. The ground seemed okay(not sure it matters w/GFCI). Is there a good way to check for a good ground? Resistance to water pipe, back to panel with a wire connected to ground bar? The HO now wants to replace the bathroom light fixture but wants to "wait" on the recept. since they don't use it much. Probably will run an extension cord in there when they need it, ouch!

I hope they plug the extension cord into a GFCI receptacle.

I use a tester made by Ideal that measures ground resistance. It also measures voltage drop and other measurements. I think the model number is 61-156 or ST-1THD

The NFPA frowns on extensions cords. Those have so many hazards. But you know about that already. Still, there are such things as GFCI extension cords.

One risk you might encounter if you install a light fixture that does NOT have a receptacle is that you force the homeowner into using an extension cord (or so it may be argued against you in court). Unless you can find a light fixture that has a convenience outlet ... and with GFCI built in ... you might not want to replace it as that effectively removes something they already have, creating a greater hazard.

Here in NJ we have a "Rehab code" which would allow the installer to come off the existing 15 amp circuit. What is better? Using an extension cord from who knows where, or even the non GFI on the vanity light. (Because a new 20 amp circuit is cost prohibited.) Or installing a new 15 amp GFI off the lighting circuit? Just my 2 cents.

Harold that makes a lot of sense, we do not have section like that in MA.

So if I apply common sense I will be violating the code putting blood in the water for the sharks if you know what I mean.

It is a shame that I have to think this way, but I do not think commonsense stands up in court.

Bob

CVELECTRIC,
I could picture the BX style cable your talking about. You move the wires and the insulation starts to break. That itself is in need of repair. That was funny with the Extention cord in the Bathroom. Some home owners just don't know. It's up to us to educate them. If you try to fish and snake a feed off of existing, would it be easier to run a homerun?