Incorrect. The code states 4 AWG. No mention of insulation. Or maybe it says bare covered or insulated?
Inspector needs a refresher course. #4 without protection is permitted for a GEC.
That's code compliant. What type of conductor did he want so that you didn't need the conduit?
Another idiot that has no business being an inspector, they just keep coming out of the wood work.
I'm a retired electrical inspector from a medium size city in NY state. Before I retired, we interviewed potential candidates for my electrical inspector position. Out of over 1000 licensed electricians, we had difficulty finding 4 who would even interview for the job. The average age of an electrician is increasing annually. It takes years to become a good electrician and even longer to become a good electrical inspector. Unfortunately, sometimes electricians and inspectors misinterpret something they've read or have been taught. If there are unqualified people being hired as electrical inspectors, it's a sign of the times. It has been my experience that younger people aren't interested in the construction trades as a career. As a result, the industry is presently unable to attract quality personnel. That's why this code forum is such a valuable tool. I know how you feel Roger but give the inspector the opportunity to educate themselves and hopefully correct their previously erroneous opinion before we apply the appellation of idiot to his title. LOL
I do not have a problem with inspectors, in fact I am a fan of good inspectors and have the upmost respect for them, where I have a problem is when they can be so far out of touch as the one in this thread. I would be curious to his experience in the trade, his education as far as code classes, and how he got to be an inspector. BTW, I know the age of electricians (all skilled trades) is increasing, I am retired and was in the trade for 43 years so I am not just anti inspector, I worked with good (some excellent) and bad ones.
I have gone toe to toe with a handful of inspectors and I always approach the debate with respect and the principal of charity. If they think I'm wrong I invite them to provide me with the code I've violated. In which case they often can't and approve my inspection. It rarely goes poorly. We're all human and make mistakes and I tend to assume the majority of us, inspectors included are just trying to do a good job.
I feel your pain. I just went through this in this thread :
It's good to hear that there are electricians who appreciate the job that electrical inspectors performed. As an inspector, I worked with a wide variety of electricians with varying experience and integrity. Over the years, I would observe that it was always the same group of electricians attending meetings and training. Unfortunately, as time progressed, less electricians were interested in training. Congratulations on your 43 years. For the sake of the trades, I hope that we can attract some younger individuals and generate the interest in gathering and training that I experienced in my 40 years in the trade as well.
Rob, it was my experience that it was usually the people who cut corners that argued the loudest. We're all human. Everyone has to learn their respective trade. If you made a mistake, I only asked that you remedy it. Over decades of being an inspector, you get a feel for what is a mistake and what is an intentional attempt to circumvent the code. Inspectors are human as well. Approach them with the same respect that you expect from them. As long as you are reasonable and respectful, there is always the possibility for conversation. That goes for both sides. If you request an explanation, you should be entitled to one but if your approach is to begin the conversation aggressively, inspectors are allowed to walk away. In any circumstance throughout life, if you put someone on the defensive, you're not going to have any possibility of coming to a consensus of opinion. I left everyone with the following: "Don't stop reading because you think you've found the answer." "The next sentence can change your point of view and there is often language that can be found elsewhere in the code that is more applicable to your situation." The same advice goes for inspectors as well.
Is there a special fitting for terminations that bonds the armor to the bare copper conductor?
The pipe clamps have a mechanism to connect both the armor and the solid conductor to the pipe.
