>The fact is REGARDLESS of who does the electrical work in a home the
>building
>inspector "most likely" will NEVER actually try to follow the wiring to see
>if one has overload a circuit with too many outlets. Of course an
>overload is
>determined by what is plugged in at any given time, but there are codes on
>how many devices can be on a circuit. Its nearly impossible for the
>inspector
>to pick up "wiring errors" of code. He will however pick you up if you are
>missing an outlet somewhere where code says there should be one, and other
>similar oversights. The code is a very funny thing and many times does
>NOT make any
>sense to a person who understands electricity (like most hams). For
>example:
> Its OK to run a 20A branch circuit and install up to 10 (ten) 15 amp rated
>outlets (the normal outlet we all have). But if you run a 20A circuit
>dedicated for a washing machine or something and its the ONLY outlet on the
circuit,
>then that outlet MUST be a 20A rated outlet. SO go figure. The code is
loaded
>with such things that really dont make sense, but these are the things you
>have to know.
** To me the tests that make the most sense require a simple DMM. They
are.\:
1. check each outlet for the proper ground, neutral and line potentials.
2. measure the V-drop with a 15A electric heater load. [the V-drop
should be under 4%]
3. plug a second 15A heater into the same outlet and see if the breaker
trips before you smell smoke.
>In MOST cases building inspectors are not electricians and most
>inspectors have a routine on things they check. You can get the low down on
>any local building inspector and his "pet peeves" at the local watering
>hole or coffee shop at about 4:30PM.....If you ever want to tangled up in a
web, try
>wiring up a swimming pool.
** This is important because people around here have been electrocuted by
a leaky underwater-light gasket in a swimming pool. If there is a best
place for GFI circuit breakers, a pool has gotta be it.
>Inspectors are all over the Universe with the
>code on grounding of pools. ...
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