Sub Panel Boxes Wired Incorrectly, Home Inspection

Sub panel boxes wired incorrectly, inspected by a licensed home inspector.

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• Home Inspectors
• inspections
• electric panel boxes
• breaker
• breaker box

[894973bee]

thanks for info on bonding jumper and and proper grounding of sub panel

[TexasHomeInspector]

@894973bee Glad to be of help.

[DiveOregon]

@TexasHomeInspector So i am not sure why a Home Inspector would be catching this and not the City/county inspector if its a brand new house? or is there no such thing in Texas? It is also important to point out that the same rules would apply to the wiring of a hot tub disconnect or other types of enclosures that house a separate over current device.

[TexasHomeInspector]

@DiveOregon Hello DO, yes there are city/county code compliance inspectors in most areas of central Texas where I work. Not sure why these issues are missed so often, I still see many problems with panel boxes in new construction. And yes, especially with pool/hot tub equipment, thanks for the pointing that out.

[DiveOregon]

@TexasHomeInspector I noticed that you use the term 220V. There is no such thing as 220V. Or 110V for that matter. There is only 240V and 120V. The common Voltages are 480V, 277V,240V,208V,and 120V. It is just a pet peeve I have is all.

[cbarsonfire]

There are only several cases where the code would allow the installation of a over fused cicuit such as a fire pump. The idea would be that the pump must not trip under any load. Better to burn up a fire pump than to have a failure of the automatic fire sprinkler system. Ref: NEC 230-90.

[TexasHomeInspector]

@russdonruss Here is a website that expains it better than I can, inspectapedia. com/aircond/aircond06.htm (note: youtube won't let me post web addresses so I put a space in the address to fool them, remove the space). Read the section "Locked Rotor Amperage"

[russdonruss]

@TexasHomeInspector No that's incorrect. Watts are a unit of work. The wire is not a load or wattage considered in the load of the motor. If the breaker size is increased and the wire size is smaller than the requirements of table 310-15(B)(2) --new 2011 NEC-- the wire is the weakest link in the circuit and can overheat under the oversized load. Overheating of the conductors can cause a breakdown of the insulation and lead to short circuits and fire hazards. Larger wire = lower resistance.

[MGiants82]

@TexasHomeInspector I don't want to come off as a jerk, I was just a little worried is all when I saw that.  Plus good catch on the bonding jumper.