Home Depot ad in EC Magazine

[active1]

Did anyone notice the Home Depot Contractor Services ad in the 12/2008 copy of Electrical Contractor Magazine? Page 33. Sorry I don't have a link and I don't want to scan a copywrited ad.

It's a picture of an open 4S (1900) box with a Home Depot sticker across most of the inside.
The funny thing is the 3 conductors are are cut and spliced about 1-2" from the connectors.
You can see there is not much twist on the splices as the black looks so tight from being short it wants to come out of the nut.
The box has 2 steel connectors with the lock nuts on backwards.
I would say the locknuts look to be loose also.
The set screws on the connectors are turn up and I'm guessing they are loose.
The box is not secured to whatever it is sitting against.
While they had a EG in the pipe and spliced in the box, the EG is not bonded to the box.

Below it they wrote "We put our name behind it all".
And "Come in today and let us rewire the way you think about our Contactor Services".

Then at the bottom they put company names like Klein, Lutron, and Hubbell. Wonder if these companies realize what their names are put on.

I think they would have used a handy box except they needed somthing begger for their sticker.

I should write HD a letter saying they forgot to tape the wire nuts. They should wrap the green around the 8-32 box screw. Also to put a 1 hole strap on each pipe without an offset.

[MF Dagger]

I just saw that also and tore it out to scan onto here but my wife threw it away.

[Karl H]

I saw that add too and just thought to myself.
"Why do I even try!"

[480sparky]

I noticed it too..... I even scanned it in for you...

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Spot%20the%20Violation/had.jpg

Notice, too, the locknuts are backwards, and the screws on the connectors have never been touched by a screwdriver.



Did you notice the violations in the Siemens ad on page 17i?

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Spot%20the%20Violation/sad.jpg

[S'mise]

Yes I saw it and thought the same thing. Of all the places to post an ad like that! You'd think HD would have people review this stuff before making themselves look inept. You can do it with our expert advice...:D

[brantmacga]

:D

i just got through reading this sitting in the playground outside and was coming in to tell you guys about it.

:D

[growler]

It's a picture of an open 4S (1900) box with a Home Depot sticker across most of the inside.
The funny thing is the 3 conductors are are cut and spliced about 1-2" from the connectors.
You can see there is not much twist on the splices as the black looks so tight from being short it wants to come out of the nut.
The box has 2 steel connectors with the lock nuts on backwards.
I would say the locknuts look to be loose also.
The set screws on the connectors are turn up and I'm guessing they are loose.
The box is not secured to whatever it is sitting against.
While they had a EG in the pipe and spliced in the box, the EG is not bonded to the box.

It wouldn't pass inspection but I doubt if it will ever have to. It's probably not hooked up to anything and I would guess that conduit is only about a foot long in a photographer's studio and not a job site.

It's expensive advertising and they care more about the consumer being able to read the name than giving instructions on the proper way to do electrical work.

Do you know that when they take pictures of peaches for adds to give them that nice gloss they cover them in mineral oil ( that's not the way you want to eat peaches). :grin:

[480sparky]

It wouldn't pass inspection but I doubt if it will ever have to. It's probably not hooked up to anything and I would guess that conduit is only about a foot long in a photographer's studio and not a job site. ....

But if you're going to advertise to professionals, at least be professional about it.....

Yes I saw it and thought the same thing. Of all the places to post an ad like that! You'd think HD would have people review this stuff before making themselves look inept. You can do it with our expert advice...:D


Well, we all know where HD gets their electrical advice.

http://i23.ebayimg.com/05/c/06/f5/4e/24_9.JPG

[ivsenroute]

They can't even place a compliant ad, let alone give compliant advice.

[iwire]

Did you notice the violations in the Siemens ad on page 17i?

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Spot%20the%20Violation/sad.jpg


Don't think there are any. The panel is only a demonstration and not subject to an NEC inspection. :D

I do notice that the door must have been in the way.

[S'mise]

On top of that, "We put our name behind it all" :D

Labeling is not specific enough on the other add, what else?

[Karl H]

But if you're going to advertise to professionals, at least be professional about it.....




Well, we all know where HD gets their electrical advice.

http://i23.ebayimg.com/05/c/06/f5/4e/24_9.JPG

Home Depot Wiring 1.2.3

That's not the Code book?

[~Shado~]

Did you notice the violations in the Siemens ad on page 17i?

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Spot%20the%20Violation/sad.jpg

Hmmm....
- no door on panel
- no safety glasses
- flipping breakers while standing in front of panel
- other circuits not labeled

anything else?

[S'mise]

Time life sold 12 million copies. They can't be wrong:roll:

[Minuteman]

The HD ad is in a Trade Magazine. You would think that they would know about how nit picky skilled people tend to be. Like us! 8-)

[Karl H]

Don't think there are any. The panel is only a demonstration and not subject to an NEC inspection. :D

I do notice that the door must have been in the way.

You guy's are way more observant than me I was looking

for AFCI's.:D

[mxslick]

Did you notice the violations in the Siemens ad on page 17i?

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Spot%20the%20Violation/sad.jpg

Hmmm....
- no door on panel
- no safety glasses
- flipping breakers while standing in front of panel
- other circuits not labeled

anything else?

No door on panel; yes, violation
no safety glasses; what NEC article requires them?
Flipping breakers..... : Again, what NEC article prohibits standing in front of a panel when operating breakers? Not a good idea from a safety standpoint, sure, but not a Code issue
Other circuits not labeled; Yes, violation.

Dave gets 50% on that test. :)

[480sparky]

Did you notice the violations in the Siemens ad on page 17i?


Hmmm....
- no door on panel
- no safety glasses
- flipping breakers while standing in front of panel
- other circuits not labeled

anything else?

The door may be just hidden by "Sparky" there.

Last sentence in the '08 of 408.4 perhaps?

[S'mise]

At least it's not in their "little boy's" bathroom.

[Karl H]

The door may be just hidden by "Sparky" there.

Last sentence in the '08 of 408.4 perhaps?

Ok 408.4 is violated but, he does have a hard hat and

fashionable PPE's

[iwire]

The door may be just hidden by "Sparky" there.

Only if he is holding it between his knees. :D


Notice the holes where door hinges would go. :smile:

[480sparky]

Only if he is holding it between his knees. :D


Notice the holes where door hinges would go. :smile:

Maybe the door's ambidextrous. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/glupan.gif







(How many are going to look that word up?!?!)

[iwire]

(How many are going to look that word up?!?!)

Any definition is just two clicks of the mouse away, but ambidextrous is pretty straight forward.:smile:

[~Shado~]

No door on panel; yes, violation
no safety glasses; what NEC article requires them?
Flipping breakers..... : Again, what NEC article prohibits standing in front of a panel when operating breakers? Not a good idea from a safety standpoint, sure, but not a Code issue
Other circuits not labeled; Yes, violation.

Dave gets 50% on that test. :)

Ah Hah...the question was"did you notice the violations...."
......nothing about what violations...NEC, OSHA, etc....;)
so, 408.4....gives me about a 95% then? :D

[chris kennedy]

Any definition is just two clicks of the mouse away, but ambidextrous is pretty straight forward.:smile:

Try it with both hands. 4 clicks? Same result?

[Karl H]

Maybe the door's ambidextrous. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/glupan.gif







(How many are going to look that word up?!?!)

Ambidextrous-1.using both hands with equal ease

2:unusually skillfull :VERSATILE

3characterized by duplicity: DOUBLE -DEALING

[wbalsam1]

It is so common to observe multiple code violations in various electrical wiring method displays at the big box stores. Very rarely do I see a correct wiring display at these type stores or at the lumber yard sales stores, either.
It isn't hard to guess that the overall intent is to create the impression that there's very little skill actually needed to "do-it-yourself and save money" and this advertising pitch has served well in fostering such a notion.

[Karl H]

It is so common to observe multiple code violations in various electrical wiring method displays at the big box stores. Very rarely do I see a correct wiring display at these type stores or at the lumber yard sales stores, either.
It isn't hard to guess that the overall intent is to create the impression that there's very little skill actually needed to "do-it-yourself and save money" and this advertising pitch has served well in fostering such a notion.

Sad but very true!

[growler]

Then at the bottom they put company names like Klein, Lutron, and Hubbell. Wonder if these companies realize what their names are put on.


They not only know about it but probably helped to pay for the add. Home Depot is like Wal Mart they are one of the biggest distributors of any product that you can find so manufacturers are happy to be associated with them.

Just who do you think writes the big checks for Klien,Lutron and Hubbel, is it Home Depot or your local supply house chain? Home Depot is the big boy on the block for total sales. They have thousands of stores and the supply houses can't come close to matching that. The supply house sells Klien tools to professional and Home Depot sells to everyone else, which do you think is the bigger market?

IBM made the same mistake, they wanted to build computers for professionals and microsoft built them for the rest of us idiots.

[480sparky]

.....and microsoft built them for the rest of us idiots.
And Bill Gates said 64K was enough memory for us, too. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/Self-MakingEmoticon.gif

[iwire]

And Bill Gates said 64K was enough memory for us, too. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/Self-MakingEmoticon.gif


Yeah what an idiot he was, how does he sleep ........... oh yeah on a mountain of wealth.:D

[bradleyelectric]

And Bill Gates said 64K was enough memory for us, too. http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/Self-MakingEmoticon.gif

I believe at that time it was. Than again home computers didn't have hard drives in them either. Graphics were green dots.

[bradleyelectric]

IBM made the same mistake, they wanted to build computers for professionals and microsoft built them for the rest of us idiots.

Microsoft doesn't make computers and isn't in competition with IBM.

[cadpoint]

...

IBM made the same mistake, they wanted to build computers for professionals and microsoft built them for the rest of us idiots.

If you ever seen the movie and really know the history, IBM wanted to build computer yes, they walked away from the software!
Bill never had a mouse or Icons till Steve Jobs game him a Apple!

I always look really close at all the picture here to notice correct and mostly incorrect electrical applictions. I also review the trade magazines and all other pictures. graphs, and stetchs, related to implied correct electrical work. Pictures are easy on the eyes! :rolleyes:

It seems (as noted earlier) it's all PR in the HD case!

[celtic]

I should write HD a letter saying they forgot to tape the wire nuts.
They should wrap the green around the 8-32 box screw.
Also to put a 1 hole strap on each pipe without an offset.


http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Spot%20the%20Violation/had.jpg



Is taping nuts a requirement?
Is the 8/32 screw that holds the cover one of the proper methods?
Is an offset required?
Is a strap required within 2" of the box?

Let me know how the letter writing campaign works out for you...
http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/celebrity/images/Artwork/mrroberts.JPG

[Minuteman]

Is an offset required?

Not if you use mini's.

[bradleyelectric]

Not if you use mini's.

How do strap backs grab ya?

[Minuteman]

How do strap backs grab ya?

Usually on the shirt sleeve. I hate it, gotta buy a new shirt and all. :wink:

[active1]

Is taping nuts a requirement?
Is the 8/32 screw that holds the cover one of the proper methods?
Is an offset required?
Is a strap required within 2" of the box?

Let me know how the letter writing campaign works out for you...
http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/celebrity/images/Artwork/mrroberts.JPG

Wow. Sorry you did not catch the sarcasm. I did not mean to insult your supply house. The joke being how could the HD marketing make the photo more incorect and appear like the common do-it yourself work many of us have seen.

The one common do-it yourself mistake would be incorect bonding such as using the cover screw, pinching the EG between the cover and box, or bonding to a drywall screw secured to something thru the box hole.

I said the 1 hole strap because it is common to see handyman style work a 1 hole strap trying to hold the pipe to a surface but not have the offset. Sure you could use mini's but that defeats the point of my dry humor.

And of course the typical DIY tape on the wire nuts.

As far as letters I am disappointed some of the companies are involved with this ad. I may write to a few to express this.

[tkb]

It's obvious that whoever put together the box for the HD add does not know what they are doing.

I would put money down that the wires in the wire nuts aren't even stripped.

[electricalperson]

It's obvious that whoever put together the box for the HD add does not know what they are doing.

I would put money down that the wires in the wire nuts aren't even stripped.

i think they just slapped it together. im sure they didnt call the local handyman down the road to make that box for the add. the guy who built it was probably some prop guy. but i do agree they need to scan there adds for stuff like that since they put it in an electrical contractor magazine

[Dennis Alwon]

I find it really hilarious that you all are getting bent out of shape on this ad. It is an ad. If they filled the box with wires you wouldn't be able to read the Home Depot sign in the back. I am sure it is a demo with 2 short pieces of pipe and the wire hanging out of both ends. There is no screw holding the box either but it is an ad-- so what.

[celtic]

Wow. Sorry you did not catch the sarcasm.


I guess you missed mine....reluctantly.
:grin:

[iwire]

I find it really hilarious that you all are getting bent out of shape on this ad. It is an ad.

Thanks for saying that Dennis, it needed to be said.:D

[wbalsam1]

I find it really hilarious that you all are getting bent out of shape on this ad. It is an ad. If they filled the box with wires you wouldn't be able to read the Home Depot sign in the back. I am sure it is a demo with 2 short pieces of pipe and the wire hanging out of both ends. There is no screw holding the box either but it is an ad-- so what.

I think there's a general tendency to expect a higher degree of professionalism from a huge corporation that holds itself out as being knowledgeable about the electrical industry and it's somewhat bothersome or disheartening to realize that the corporate signature is blemished by an advertisement that is strikingly non code-compliant. :)

[iwire]

I think there's a general tendency to expect a higher degree of professionalism from a huge corporation that holds itself out as being knowledgeable about the electrical industry and it's somewhat bothersome or disheartening to realize that the corporate signature is blemished by an advertisement that is strikingly non code-compliant. :)


I would like to apply that same standard to all forms of media but that shipped sailed along time ago.

Ads have nothing to do with truth, only sales.

[480sparky]

I would like to apply that same standard to all forms of media but that shipped sailed along time ago.

Ads have nothing to do with truth, only sales.

I think I'll call them and offer my services for an upgrage. :D

[mdshunk]

I think I'll call them and offer my services for an upgrage. :D
That's not too far fetched. I have a friend that is a technical reviewer for a trade magazine that serves the ice cream industry. He just more or less opens PDF's and provides comments for a few hundred extra bucks a month. You could offer to be a technical reviewer for HD's electrical contractor ads.

[peter d]

Thanks for saying that Dennis, it needed to be said.:D


I agree. In fact, I see stuff like that on a regular basis in the trade mags.

[GUNNING]

When you advertise you are putting out their your reputation. Your knowledge base. Your image to be viewed by all those who are making value judgements. That's why spell check is soooo important. That's why copy is soooo important. That's why this is such a big deal. They are holding themselves out to be an expert. A purveyor of the electrical industry. Its image, its brand, its name recognition. Its a lot of dollars spent on a really really bad ad that they have no idea how bad it is. At first I thought it was a 4 square extension with a Home Depot sticker on the back. (Not really surprising given the handyman mentality I have run across.) But this add is put out and reviewed by experts in the electrical field and must have been overruled by Madison avenue hacks. The message: Name recognition is more important then being correct. This is how we know its being done. This is what we are telling you is OK. This is our position as a leader in the industry of home supply. We are right because EC&M put their BRAND on it. This is a mistake.


(For all you legal eagles out there, This is sarcasm. Yea right.)

The Siemens panel .. no AFCI's no circuit labels.

Has anyone gotten the new (12.08) Electric Contractor? Its on counterfeit electrical products. I'm afraid to buy anything, from anyone!

[Greg Swartz]

It is so common to observe multiple code violations in various electrical wiring method displays at the big box stores. Very rarely do I see a correct wiring display at these type stores or at the lumber yard sales stores, either.
It isn't hard to guess that the overall intent is to create the impression that there's very little skill actually needed to "do-it-yourself and save money" and this advertising pitch has served well in fostering such a notion.

And they just got more free advertising from us.

...Just who do you think writes the big checks for Klien,Lutron and Hubbel, is it Home Depot or your local supply house chain? Home Depot is the big boy on the block for total sales. They have thousands of stores and the supply houses can't come close to matching that. The supply house sells Klien tools to professional and Home Depot sells to everyone else, which do you think is the bigger market?...

I would have to agree with this. The last time I tried to return a klien tool to my supply house, they looked at me like I was crazy. Said I'd get a new one when the replacement came in...
20 minutes later, I walk into big orange, and I go to the returns counter, they tell me to get a new one, and don't even ask if I bought it there...

[macmikeman]

Did you notice the violations in the Siemens ad on page 17i?

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Spot%20the%20Violation/sad.jpg

I would say that having a hard hat on while in a kids bedroom to flip a circuit breaker is a violation of any common sense... I would say that, but I know I will get blasted by all the Dudley Do Rights for saying it.8-)

[Minuteman]

Did you notice the violations in the Siemens ad on page 17i?

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Spot%20the%20Violation/sad.jpg


Looks to me like breaker #10 (just above his left sholder) is a GFCI breaker. See the little white test button?


http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/214510_front200.jpg

[LarryFine]

Other circuits not labeled; Yes, violation.The panel schedule is on the panel door . . . wherever that is. :rolleyes:

[MadeInUSA2007]

Did you ever notice that Homer D Poe, Home Depot's character in the ads actually stands on the top rung of ladders? And you know that every manufacturer states that it is unsafe to use that area. Way to go to set a good example for the rest of us.
Food for thought: On a two foot ladder, aren't you only supposed to use the bottom rung, which is about 6" from the floor? What's up with that? I feel like Jerry Seinfeld.

[Karl H]

I find it really hilarious that you all are getting bent out of shape on this ad. It is an ad. If they filled the box with wires you wouldn't be able to read the Home Depot sign in the back. I am sure it is a demo with 2 short pieces of pipe and the wire hanging out of both ends. There is no screw holding the box either but it is an ad-- so what.

Don't you have anything better to do than laugh at people that

don't have anything better to do?:D

[goldstar]

While they had a EG in the pipe and spliced in the box, the EG is not bonded to the box.Does it have to be ? If we're making assumptions about this photo wouldn't the continuous conduit run serve as the equipment ground ? What if this were a circuit requiring an isolated ground ?

[bjp_ne_elec]

And they just got more free advertising from us.



I would have to agree with this. The last time I tried to return a klien tool to my supply house, they looked at me like I was crazy. Said I'd get a new one when the replacement came in...
20 minutes later, I walk into big orange, and I go to the returns counter, they tell me to get a new one, and don't even ask if I bought it there...

Greg - curious - what was the issue with the Kleins you brought back?

[goldstar]

There was a time when Klien would take back tools that were used but now they instruct supply house personnel to examine the tool and make a determination as to whether "they've lived their useful life" or not. Chances are that Big Orange hasn't gotten that word yet. I tried to take back a pair of Klien lineman's pliers that never really broke in and were hard to open. I was told that because there were nicks and dings in the nose of the pliers from banging in staples that Klien wouldn't issue a new pair. So I said "isn't that what they're used for" ?:confused::grin:

Anyway, the only company that still exchanges new tools for old ones is Craftsman, as far as I know.

[Minuteman]

There was a time when Klien would take back tools that were used but now they instruct supply house personnel to examine the tool and make a determination as to whether "they've lived their useful life" or not. Chances are that Big Orange hasn't gotten that word yet. I tried to take back a pair of Klien lineman's pliers that never really broke in and were hard to open. I was told that because there were nicks and dings in the nose of the pliers from banging in staples that Klien wouldn't issue a new pair. So I said "isn't that what they're used for" ?:confused::grin:

Anyway, the only company that still exchanges new tools for old ones is Craftsman, as far as I know.

I had a broken tip on a Klien flat blade screwdriver. It was obvious from the frayed edge of the metal, that it failed while twisting in a counterclockwise direction. I took the tool back to the supply house where I purchased it. The counter guy looked at it and said that it would take a couple weeks, but that it looked to him like it failed being abused.

Later, I took the same screwdriver to HD and asked for a replacement. She said that they would honor it, only if I had a receipt. Yet later, I took it to Sears, and they gave me a new screwdriver. :)

[wbalsam1]

.............. If we're making assumptions about this photo wouldn't the continuous conduit run serve as the equipment ground ? .................

You'd want to turn the locknuts around so they'd provide an electrically and mechanically continuous path.:)

[growler]

But if you're going to advertise to professionals, at least be professional about it.....


They may have been more professional than most of us would care to believe.

The objective of an add is to be noticed and to convey a message. In this case the message was that Home Depot sells electrical supplies to contractors and not that they themselves do code compliant work. It's already understood that the suppliers don't have or even need an in depth understanding of the NEC.

They could have tried to get the contractor's attention with a scanily clad female but this has been done to death. So useing all data available on the personality of the average EC it was noticed that most have an Obsessive-compulsive disorder ( at least know-it-all- ness). The one thing that was sure to attract the attention of the average electrician would be subtle mistakes made in the advertisement and it worked like a charm.

The end result is that the electrician is bamboozled by the slick advertiser and now has the Home Depot Label permanently etched on his brain.

Advertisers have even used subliminal messages in adds before so don't think they wouldn't resort to a little trickery to get your attention.

[jaylectricity]

I would just like to point out that the reason the panel in that Siemens ad isn't labeled specifically enough is because the point of the advertisement is the breakers don't represent electrical outlets, they represent family members. Flesh and blood family members that need protection.

/does not work for Siemens.

[480sparky]

If it's "just advertising" meant to "get someone's attention", then they're obviously missing the boat their ticket is for. They are advertising in a magazine specifically for professionals. HOs don't subscribe to ECmag.

I could see that ad in the newspaper where it was meant to be viewed by the general public who would have not a clue the shopping list of violations it contains.

Would any of you put the following ad in the paper?:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Horror%20Photos/DSC04133.jpg

Joe's Electric Services... quality work!
Call 1-212-555-1212

[LarryFine]

The counter guy looked at it and said that ... it looked to him like it failed being abused.I would have said "No, it was successfully abused." :grin:

[LarryFine]

Would any of you put the following ad in the paper?:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Horror%20Photos/DSC04133.jpg

Joe's Electric Services... quality work!
Call 1-212-555-1212

Not without a "before" picture! 8-)

[active1]

If it's "just advertising" meant to "get someone's attention", then they're obviously missing the boat their ticket is for. They are advertising in a magazine specifically for professionals. HOs don't subscribe to ECmag.

I could see that ad in the newspaper where it was meant to be viewed by the general public who would have not a clue the shopping list of violations it contains.

Would any of you put the following ad in the paper?:

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Horror%20Photos/DSC04133.jpg

Joe's Electric Services... quality work!
Call 1-212-555-1212

That's too funny.
I think the ad would do better in Craigslist.

[480sparky]

Not without a "before" picture! 8-)


Would this one work? http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/sml35.gif

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Horror%20Photos/P1010027.jpg

[LarryFine]

Would this one work? http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Emoticons/sml35.gif

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/Horror%20Photos/P1010027.jpg
That looks like it was in the Titanic.

[roger]

Well, since the topic has been discussed and this is turning into a picture posting thread it is time to close it.

Roger