Dryer Circuit

[electricman2]

Anybody ever run across this? Dryer circuit with 10-2 w/g NM. House built probably mid 70's. Got by rough inspection I guess.

 

[1793]

I see it almost every time I look into an older circuit. Even some new ones.

 

[bradleyelectric]

yeah, we used to get by all the roughs like that till maybe 1992. It was normal way to wire a dryer. That is why you can still buy 3 wire dryer cords. For existing homes with a 3 wire plug. You can buy the plugs to replace a broken plug. Notice we didn't have to color the white wire black or red because it was a hot leg. It was assumed that you knew what you were doing if you were working on electrical work.

 

[raider1]

Anybody ever run across this? Dryer circuit with 10-2 w/g NM. House built probably mid 70's. Got by rough inspection I guess.

Quite a common sight in my area. It seems this installation passed in alot of areas.

Chris

 

[220/221]

I see it often along with 8-2 NM for ranges.

Now that work has been slowing down I would tell them it's a hazard and run a new circuit

 

[C3PO]

I am not sure I see the problem you are referring to. Besides not labeling the white wire. :-?

If it is the three wire wasn't that permitted until the 1996 NEC?

Or I may be overlooking something. I can't make out the picture very well.

 

[220/221]

NM as opposed to SE.

It is a technical difference IMHO.

 

[C3PO]

NM as opposed to SE.

It is a technical difference IMHO.

Gotcha. I have seen it done around here as well.

 

[augie47]

The oldest Code I have handy is 1990 and the requirement then was an INSULATED grounded conductor unless SE cable was used.
I realize that requirement was often over-looked, but the 10/2 wg would have been a violation in 1990.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Anybody ever run across this? Dryer circuit with 10-2 w/g NM. House built probably mid 70's. Got by rough inspection I guess.

Heck I have done that years ago. 30 years ago my boss said it was okay to do so not knowing any better I did it.

Mea Cupa

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

This is very dangerous, and makes backfeeding a genset through the dryer receptacle all the more dangerous.

 

[LarryFine]

This is very dangerous, and makes backfeeding a genset through the dryer receptacle all the more dangerous.

Okay, so when is that not dangerous? When is a double-plug-ended cord okay?

 

[quogueelectric]

That is what we call preexisting nonconforming.

 

[quogueelectric]

This is very dangerous, and makes backfeeding a genset through the dryer receptacle all the more dangerous.

I know you dont mean male/male we are here to learn more ways to skin the same cat we are cat skinners at best.

 

[iwire]

Anybody ever run across this? Dryer circuit with 10-2 w/g NM. House built probably mid 70's. Got by rough inspection I guess.

Quite often and I installed many like that myself before I knew better.

Still not sure why that is wrong but if it was SE it would be OK. :-?

 

[hardworkingstiff]

Still not sure why that is wrong but if it was SE it would be OK. :-?

In the 70's in the Tidewater, VA area, 10/2 w/grd NM was not allowed but 8/3 SE (AL.) was allowed. I never understood the difference.

 

[480sparky]

In the 70's in the Tidewater, VA area, 10/2 w/grd NM was not allowed but 8/3 SE (AL.) was allowed. I never understood the difference.

In the 10/2, the bare ground wire was used for the neutral. In the 8/3, the neutral would have been covered/insulated.

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

Okay, so when is that not dangerous? When is a double-plug-ended cord okay?

Sorry, I was being facitious. I should have used this smiley...

 

[1793]

The oldest Code I have handy is 1990 and the requirement then was an INSULATED grounded conductor unless SE cable was used...

What Article for 1990?

 

[220/221]

In the 10/2, the bare ground wire was used for the neutral. In the 8/3, the neutral would have been covered/insulated.

I'm thinking he meant 8/2. I haven't seen 3 wire SE....but I have led a sheltered life.