30-amp directly to switches

[tonype]

A 30-amp breaker in a panel in home is wired with #10 AWG (UF) to a detached garage - directly to 3 switches. No other OCPD. Home is only 7 years old and was approved by AHJ. All switch circuits are #12 and #14 and supply power to motorized door opener, lights, etc. This install does not look correct, or am I missing something?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

You are correct. You would have to protect the wires based on the smallest conductor in the circuit. Install a 15 amp OCPD and you are good.

 

[jxofaltrds]

You are correct. You would have to protect the wires based on the smallest conductor in the circuit. Install a 15 amp OCPD and you are good.

I agree (code violation). Don't think that I could call it unsafe.

 

[stickboy1375]

I agree (code violation). Don't think that I could call it unsafe.

Border line unsafe, #14 is only good for 25amps, kind of a stretch though in the real world... Where is the disconnect for this structure also?

 

[hurk27]

I agree (code violation). Don't think that I could call it unsafe.

I agree with you as if the 14 and 12 only fed fixed amount loads such as light fixtures that have a fixed amount of sockets that cound not possibly overload the conductors as they would still be protected for fault current.

But in no way could I call it safe if these undersized conductors are feeding receptacles where there is no controlled load, sorry but because the home owner could easily load these conductors to the 30 amps without ever tripping the OCPD, and we know that wire failures are not in the middle of the circuit but at the termination which would subject each termination point to a very high heat condition so as I said, not safe feeding receptacles.

We might as well go back to using 30 amp fuses like we find all the time.

Border line unsafe, #14 is only good for 25amps, kind of a stretch though in the real world... Where is the disconnect for this structure also?

Not sure it's so borderline if they feed receptacle loads

 

[stickboy1375]

I agree with you as if the 14 and 12 only fed fixed amount loads such as light fixtures that have a fixed amount of sockets that cound not possibly overload the conductors as they would still be protected for fault current.

But in no way could I call it safe if these undersized conductors are feeding receptacles where there is no controlled load, sorry but because the home owner could easily load these conductors to the 30 amps without ever tripping the OCPD, and we know that wire failures are not in the middle of the circuit but at the termination which would subject each termination point to a very high heat condition so as I said, not safe feeding receptacles.

We might as well go back to using 30 amp fuses like we find all the time.



Not sure it's so borderline if they feed receptacle loads

I agree, nothing I would ever condone, its an accident waiting to happen.

 

[tonype]

Border line unsafe, #14 is only good for 25amps, kind of a stretch though in the real world... Where is the disconnect for this structure also?

Doesn't have one - 30 amp in a panel in the main building.

 

[stickboy1375]

Doesn't have one - 30 amp in a panel in the main building.

Nice job! I wonder what they were thinking with the 30 amp supply?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Doesn't have one - 30 amp in a panel in the main building.

Those switches could be the disconnect for the building however if they don't turn off everything then you need a switch before those switches. A sp switch will suffice.

 

[Little Bill]

Nice job! I wonder what they were thinking with the 30 amp supply?

I'm wondering if whoever wired it had a limited knowledge of a MWBC and thought they were doing the right thing with a double pole breaker sized for the #10. However, the OP didn't specifically say double pole. Just a guess.