I don't know what your level of experience is, but in my 40 plus professional years I've found:
At the end of the day, week, month, year, life (perhaps), it's how it looks, not how it measures... for most things. :happyyes:
What Would You Do?
- Thread starter sparkyrick
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At the end of the day, week, month, year, life (perhaps), it's how it looks, not how it measures... for most things. :happyyes:
Zooming in on the picture reveals what appears to be an "L" remnant of the lower front box. Reflection of surrounding foreground color makes it blend in with the background fairly good.
JFletcher
Senior Member
- Location
- Williamsburg, VA
About 33 years short of you, 38 if discounting communciations cabling. Yes, most times it's how it looks, but a recent exception: we did a panel/meter box change. Mounting the can to the siding, it was level with the siding, but not level. Siding was being replaced. I ripped out the siding, mounted it true level, and hoped the siding guys put up the new siding level. Initially I measured from the door frame, and found the door 'parallelogramed' from foundation settling. In a case like that, how would you install the new meter can?
Match foundation sill for the whole wall, i.e. don't match at one point but rather average the whole wall. String and a line level in the middle should tell you bubble position.
You knew going in the new siding may not be level. The siding guys are going to be facing a worse situation than you if the foundation is off level. I don't know any siding guys that would scab on a leveling starter, then stay level on additional courses. Most I know would just match the foundation level as noted... as it should work out better for looks when they "wrap" the corner and match alignment on the next wall. If they go true level, the alignment at corners wouldn't match. I've seen some of these jobs and they don't look good at all.
General rule: You can go off level for something that should be level to full bubble within the lines (rule doesn't work too well with digital), and use your own judgement for anything beyond. If you can't fudge it, make it true.
(PS: I noted from another thread you were concerned about speed for installing ceiling fans. When working under someone, you will sometimes find that to go the "extra mile", as it has been coined at times, may cost you speed. You'll have to weigh how to proceed accordingly.)
sparkyrick
Senior Member
- Location
- Appleton, Wi
The picture doesn't show it, but it is an open bottom gear that sits on a 6" curb, even though they look like typical panelboards.
sparkyrick
Senior Member
- Location
- Appleton, Wi
I guess I get my "plumb and level" from installing many multi-section bolted together switchgears over the years. It would look like ass if I just followed the not-so-level concrete pad that I'm usually presented with and called it good. I'd have to carry a case of gray caulk on the van to fill the seams in the switchgear
- Location
- Massachusetts
I guess I get my "plumb and level" from installing many multi-section bolted together switchgears over the years. It would look like ass if I just followed the not-so-level concrete pad that I'm usually presented with and called it good. I'd have to carry a case of gray caulk on the van to fill the seams in the switchgear
Is just electrical gear in a fast food kitchen, no one cares. It is not art.
sparkyrick
Senior Member
- Location
- Appleton, Wi
I take pride in my work, so I care.
ggunn
PE (Electrical), NABCEP certified
- Location
- Austin, TX, USA
- Occupation
- Consulting Electrical Engineer - Photovoltaic Systems
I understand, but sometimes doing it "right" looks worse than doing it "wrong". Case by case.
For some reason this thread reminds me of the title of an old Jerry Lewis movie - Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
Nothing wrong with that. I take pride in my work too. Part of that pride comes from knowing I have paid attention to what is important and letting slide things that don't need my maximum effort.
Going with the flow feels really good when you do it the right way.
- Location
- Massachusetts
I understand that. The people paying the bills not so much.
- Location
- Massachusetts
A quick one, I had to install a floor mount 50 KW inveter inside a warehouse. The spot the customer gave me was a spot where the floor slab was broken and sinking, not a spot the customer could use so it was all mine. 
I ended up installing a 6' x 2' cement housekeeping pad, I framed it out with with 2x8s that I scribed to the unlevel floor, it was out almost 6" in 6'. :lol:
Anyway, my pad came out nice and level, the equipment looked good. But the customer would have been fine if I had just set it on the existing slab and shimmed it from rocking.
BTW, we did not even hardpipe to this unit, we piped near it and changed to flex. It was clear the slab was going to keep sagging. I doubt that equipment is level now.
I ended up installing a 6' x 2' cement housekeeping pad, I framed it out with with 2x8s that I scribed to the unlevel floor, it was out almost 6" in 6'. :lol:
Anyway, my pad came out nice and level, the equipment looked good. But the customer would have been fine if I had just set it on the existing slab and shimmed it from rocking.
BTW, we did not even hardpipe to this unit, we piped near it and changed to flex. It was clear the slab was going to keep sagging. I doubt that equipment is level now.
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