Doorbell transformer in attic

[ivsenroute]

On this special day I was accompanied by another inspector who failed this very neat, workmanlike job. It is an attic and a doorbell transformer. Anyone care to guess why he failed it?

 

[Saturday Cowboy]

ground down

 

[Cavie]

The transformer is stamped with the words "do not install in attic". I have seen 100's of then that say that. Would you want a GFI in your attic? I would call it "not accessible"

 

[TOOL_5150]

are there romex connectors?

~Matt

 

[infinity]

Might be on a 20 amp circuit.

 

[electricmanscott]

The transformer is stamped with the words "do not install in attic". I have seen 100's of then that say that. Would you want a GFI in your attic? I would call it "not accessible"

If it does indeed say that I guess that's a good enough reason.

It's as accessible as anything else installed in an attic.

Other than that my guess is the inspector was having a bad day and found someone who he thought should suffer for it.

The real question is why waste a perfectly good GFCI receptacle in an attic?

 

[ptonsparky]

Could it be that the ceiling height at this point is 48" and he had to crawl up a fold out ladder with an extra 6" of 1x screwed to the bottom because it was to short?


I vote for no db xfmr in attic answer and/or maybe they tapped the SA circuit.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I also have seen most doorbell tranys that state do not install in the attic.

 

[ty]

Very common install in North Jersey years ago, except the transformer would have been mounted to a metal box for a pullchain light.

I like the antenna that was made by wrapping the green wire back around the jacket.

 

[ivsenroute]

Yep, transformer marked not for use in attic.

Inspector was from NJ working in PA.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Yep, transformer marked not for use in attic.

Inspector was from NJ working in PA.

I must admit I installed one in an attic over 20 years ago and I did have to replace it after 12 years of so. The replacement is still going.

 

[mivey]

Very common install in North Jersey years ago, except the transformer would have been mounted to a metal box for a pullchain light.

I like the antenna that was made by wrapping the green wire back around the jacket.

That was an attempt at a noise choke.

 

[mivey]

The transformer is stamped with the words "do not install in attic". I have seen 100's of then that say that.

And I have seen hundreds in attics, still going strong.

Would you want a GFI in your attic? I would call it "not accessible"

Probably not too convenient if the doorbell quits working. Real convenient if you are working in the attic.

 

[Ragin Cajun]

Mine's been in the attic over 40 years and going strong.

RC

 

[qcroanoke]

The transformer is stamped with the words "do not install in attic". I have seen 100's of then that say that. Would you want a GFI in your attic? I would call it "not accessible"

If there is HVAC equipment in the attic a receptacle is required by 210.63 (2008 NEC)
but it is not required to be GFI.

 

[Cavie]

If there is HVAC equipment in the attic a receptacle is required by 210.63 (2008 NEC)
but it is not required to be GFI.

Brain fart! I was thinking feed thru!

 

[ty]

That was an attempt at a noise choke.

Failed attempt

 

[infinity]

Is that transformer permitted on a 20 amp circuit?

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

The violation is the transformer is marked not for attics. I really don't see any hazard and likely marked to lower the number failing under warranty. This is not something new.

 

[mivey]

Failed attempt

Yeah, pretty as it is, it is still wrong. They did not know they would have to wrap the green wire around ivsenroute's neck to stop the noise around this install. :grin: