ECN Forum Forums Safety Discussion and News Safety News and Product Recalls new house, no GFCI

I'm not an electrician, but have read 'home wiring with the NEC.' to educate myself as a homeowner. I always want to know the right way to do things, if not to do it myself, then at least to know when someone else has done it right (or not).

My brother moved into a brand new house a couple years ago, and when I went to visit, I saw that there were no GFCI receptacles in either the kitchen or the bathrooms. I went to the breaker panel, and there were no GFCI breakers either.

I urged my brother to get some installed, but he resisted. He assumed that since the house was new, it must be to the latest code. He didn't want to listen to me.

I know that here in Dallas, TX, the code is enforced by the city. His house is in an unincorporated (non-city) area of Orange County, California. Is it possible that they wouldn't require GFCI because of the lack of a regulating body?

Anyone heard of such a thing?

No enforcement = no law.

A very precious few electrical contractors in my area are moral enough to not need policing, but for the most part, when there's no one to enforce the laws or rules, there's essentially no rules to follow.

Thanks for noticing one of the biggest frustrations of our trade.

I drive very fast when outside of the city.
I haven't gotten a speeding ticket.

Question: Am I still breaking the law?

GFCI is required in the state of CA.

Urge your brother again, for his own safety
and the safety of his family, to have the
situation corrected.



[This message has been edited by TE (edited 09-11-2002).]

Thanks for the replies. I spoke with him yesterday and he said he'd have it looked at.

The frustrating thing is that these things are so inexpensive and easy to install. Why wouldn't they have installed them? The question of why my brother is being so stubborn is another matter altogether.

Peace,

Barry

2nd that!.....