Electrical Class on Improper Sub Panel Wiring

Houston Home Inspector teaches class on Improper Electrical Sub Panel Wiring

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Education

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[GordonGFox]

I think when we see things done like this or what you found it is simply a case of "they don't know what they don't know" and only those who do know understand the significance of the problem and shake their head.

[doublearon86]

why would they tap the #10 off the load side?

[GordonGFox]

who knows why or what they were thinking when they do this, we were thinking this may have been done by the pool installer

[brkfstclub35]

What a disaster waiting to happen. I noticed thie "main" panel was a main lug only panel so the grounds should have been separated at the meter disconnect.

[GordonGFox]

correct

[specialks1953]

@coldbeer338 - Thanks

[coldbeer338]

@specialks1953 i like to leave about a half inch

[specialks1953]

@coldbeer338 - Thanks coldbeer338. If you don't mind my asking, where should the jacket be cut off? How far into the box may the jacket remain? - I am a do it myselfer but I like to do it as close to correct as possible! - Thanks again for taking time to answer my 5 month old question. - - PS: You can't go wrong with a screen name like coldbeer. Who in their right mind doesn't like coldbeer?

[coldbeer338]

@specialks1953 the jacket of the romex should be cut back closer to were it enters the panel

[coldbeer338]

@cltpython we use romex up here, res only and im union

[ApolloWasReal]

#10 seems too small for a subpanel with multiple breakers, though it would be okay if it were properly breakered in the main panel, which it isn't.

I'd use at least #8 and preferably #6 for a subpanel feeder. #8 is usually good for 40-50 A depending on the temperature rating of the insulation and the terminals to which it is connected. I think #10 is only good for 30A.

[specialks1953]

At 1:13 he talks about sheathing but I don't understand what was wrong. What point about the sheathing was he refering? I am not an electrician but I do my own. I like to do things the right way as much as possible and this is something I am not aware. I do know about all the other points you mentioned in the video. I can't believe (really can) someone connected the 10AWG like that. Mixing neutral and grounds together is common but WRONG. The grounding screw issue is also obscure but important.

[DrMR2002]

Knew someone that had a contractor build a garage and use 14ga wire in bx and buried it underground, it was hook up directly to the service line in the meter box, no breakers. Ended up having to rip it all out for him and and ran 4 guage wire to his basement where the main breaker panel with a 60amp subpanel in the garage using aluminum conduit, also had to upgrade his sevice from the 60amp fuse breaker he had, which the wire was rotted out, to a new 200amp service 4/0-3 SEU Aluminum cable.

[cltpython]

thats what you get with non union work. romex=CRAP! what hillbilly ran this job? :D