Bad ideas from Architechs in home zines

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e57

e57

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Home Magazines: Often packed with quirky ideas of home improvement for the self-destructing HO. Some are better than others in self-censorship of just plain bad ideas, and others just let it all hang out. And in the past I have sent off a few letters to some about code violations and the like - but given the nature of thier material, one would think that they have some sort of editorial staff to vet out the weak or dangerous, or ill concieved. Or some that should be included with far more detail, so as not to confuse people who are inherently confused... But nonetheless, they keep coming.... Whats worse is that professionals are out there putting possibly neat or useful ideas out to the public in an ill-concieved, and haphazard way. This idea below is a prime example of a good idea that can go real badly in the hands of the wrong person. That said, there are not very many 'right' people for this little project.
What say you?
drawerviolation.jpg

Ref: Jan '07 Fine Homebuilding pg. 128
 
There is a kit available from some manufacturer (escapes me who, right now) to do just this. It is a common upsell for high end bathrooms, to keep hair dryers out of sight. Some builders will also cut an inch or so off the top edge of the drawer so that hair dryers can remain plugged into the receptacle behind the drawer.

I think it's a stupid idea, but legal so far near as I can tell.
 
IMO, it would be better just to leave a hole or notch for cords in the back of the drawer and have the recepticle behind it, without the wire connecting it. Atleast the drawer could be removed to get to the recep. I also wonder how hot it would get in that drawer with a charger (or 2, or 3...) in it.
 
Cabinet makers can't seem to make room in the kitchen island for an outlet or cut out holes for outlets anywhere near where they are. And they expect that mess to work? what about heat from xfmers in a closed space. GOY !
 
My point was "Flex Coil", (Whatever that is - nothing in chapter 3) from what it seems to suggest is that it is installed as premis wiring. If it were a listed for the purpose kit that would be another issue. From what one could gather in that picture would seem to suggest that you could cut both ends from a coiled extention cord and wire it into the wall.
 
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The only way I can legaly (through 400.7) see an installation in this manner would be with 14 or 12/3 SOW, proper strain reliefs (90 degree on both), with metal boxes and non-concentric/eccentric KO use. And that would still call into play accessibilty of the box behind it depending on cabinet design. And the drawer would need to have some sort of limiting device. Even then I would opt for some sort of disconnecting method. And still I would have to get the AHJ to buy off on it. As it would look very much like a home-made extention cord I would doubt it.
 
e57 said:
The only way I can legaly (through 400.7) see an installation in this manner would be with 14 or 12/3 SOW, proper strain reliefs (90 degree on both), with metal boxes and non-concentric/eccentric KO use. And that would still call into play accessibilty of the box behind it depending on cabinet design. And the drawer would need to have some sort of limiting device. Even then I would opt for some sort of disconnecting method. And still I would have to get the AHJ to buy off on it. As it would look very much like a home-made extention cord I would doubt it.
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Or get one of those UL stickers.
 
acrwc10 said:
In San Fransisco, Good Luck !!:grin:
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Sounds as if you know my friendly local DBI? I think one of the dozen or so of them wouldn't have a field day. That one would have been too overwelmed by inspecting things well out of our trades scope. It's hard to keep him focused.... If working in Pac Hieghts - Beware.
 
Paul,

You have to know where to shop to get the hired guns slinging UL stickers. Been on projects where I thought they were basically ho'd out for $1500 a pop. Also seen some very good inspectors.

(reference to political figures removed by Moderator)

I need to cut back to decaf..
 
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