[Amps] ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS

[R.Measures]

>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. ...