HO or EC, Who is doing more resi work?
- Thread starter Mule
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wewirepgh
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- Location
- pgh steelers
There are alot of bigger commercial EC's that have added residential divisions here in the burg over the last couple of years.
Mule said:
Very true. Years ago, I did some work for a very prominent and highly-repsected heart surgeon. We were talking about the difficulties about our professions, and he stated it was his opinion that 95% of people have the intelligence to perform open heart surgery. Obviously, most wouldn't because they're squeemish about such matters, some wouldn't want the liability, others would back out for various other reasons, but the point was made.
In other words, we're all ignorant, it's just in different areas of expersite.
- Location
- Massachusetts
It does not matter what job you look at, everyone of them has much more to it then it first appears.
To the general public our job is easy and many people are capable of wiring an outlet so that it works. To many DIYs that is all they care about. Does it work? Yes. They now feel they know how to do our job.
The difficult part of our job is wiring an outlet in a code compliant method and professional looking way. Again ... to many DIYs they have no problem putting those two goals aside to save some money.
To the general public our job is easy and many people are capable of wiring an outlet so that it works. To many DIYs that is all they care about. Does it work? Yes. They now feel they know how to do our job.
The difficult part of our job is wiring an outlet in a code compliant method and professional looking way. Again ... to many DIYs they have no problem putting those two goals aside to save some money.
ohm
Senior Member
- Location
- Birmingham, AL
I buy a lot of supplies from Home Depot because they're open when others aren't and usually have better prices ON COMMON ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES.
But, in most cases the buyer should never expect sound electrical advice or expect that the "box" will have everything they will need.
At the checkout counter they ask "did you find everything you need?" If you say no their reply is something like " well have a good day"
But, in most cases the buyer should never expect sound electrical advice or expect that the "box" will have everything they will need.
At the checkout counter they ask "did you find everything you need?" If you say no their reply is something like " well have a good day"
A couple of fine examples of yes it works and I'm so proud of myself for doing it and saving so much money.iwire said:
My mom would be so proud.
If this were plumbing there would be water spraying everywhere and the homeowner would know something wasn't right.
I don't need a box I've got silicone.
Why did they put that extra screw on this receptacle. Two wires fit just fine under one.
ohm
Senior Member
- Location
- Birmingham, AL
aline said:A couple of fine examples of yes it works and I'm so proud of myself for doing it and saving so much money.
My mom would be so proud.
If this were plumbing there would be water spraying everywhere and the homeowner would know something wasn't right.
I don't need a box I've got silicone.
Why did they put that extra screw on this receptacle. Two wires fit just fine under one.
Winner of todays "Hall of Shame"!
- Location
- Massachusetts
ohm said:
Bad wiring practices are not limited to HOs, I bet more then one electrician was involved in this....
I agree, but I would certainly hope there's not a single electrician out there that would use silicone on a receptacle, like the one pictured, instead of a box. I also liked the way the neutral wires were attached to the ground screw and the ground wires were attached to the neutral terminals. The bonding jumper attached to the receptacle strap was another nice touch.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
While I agree that the homeowner should be able to do his own work, it should be permitted and inspected. There are any number of safety issues that cannot be detected by the home inspector at the time of sale because they are concealed by the building finishes...the very reason that we have "rough" inspections.iwire said:
don_resqcapt19 said:
Amen........Nuf said......you should NOT be able to do something that endangers some one elses life and cover it up....I fully agree
Also, here we had a point in history (probably 25yrs) where the inspectors were terrible, "good ole boys mind you" but terrible inspectors....alot of the builders got what they wanted for a 1/5 of whiskey...We have a enormous amount of condensor unit meter taps, NO bonding, split buss panels with incorrect service entrance conductor sizing, no adherance to the 6 switch rule, improper service drop clearances, and the list goes on and on. So now with the introduction of home inspectors and real estate inspections, there is alot of business just keeping up with that. :smile: $$$$
peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
don_resqcapt19 said:
Of course, let the gov't take care of you and everything will be fine.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Mule said:
Unless you feel that same standard should apply to all trades IMO it sounds more like a way to make work then safety.
iwire said:
You've got me wrong there....I take offense to individuals who just are trying to throw something together in a cheap way, and in return cause a hazzard for the family members, or future owners.
So on one side, government control might help that situation, but in the same breath a person like yourself whom wants to do things right certainaly doesnt need anyone telling you what to do, or how to do it. So I guess in a reactive sense if these types of hazzards turn in to failures and injuries then Im for better control, but if they dont, then I agree with you 100%. As a past inspector, and a conservative feller, I've seen alot of issues that made me angry and put me on the side of the inosent.....spelling?
- Location
- Massachusetts
Mule said:
Well it is always tough to decide where to draw the line but for me tying to prevent folks from repairing their own home is going to far.
As far as that possibly creating a hazard for family members I don't see that as much different then a million decisions parents make regarding the kids safety. Unfortunately there is no test required for being a parent.
iwire said:
I agree it is tough, and some inspectors do a good job and some dont. I just think that resi electrical work should be inspected. And I agree with you that the HO should be able to do it.
I agree parents make horrible decisions sometimes. In contrast to electrical work....Some folks make mistakes honestly, and some just dont care as long as they save money.
ohm
Senior Member
- Location
- Birmingham, AL
Mule said:
Iwire & mule both make good points. Unscrupulous electricians, well meaning friends and Ho's who simply don't have the money to call a good electrician sometimes put their lives on the line and don't even know it. If the light works now it must be fixed, right?
I don't believe in limiting who can do work on their own homes. If we are just talking about safety then we need to increase things that inspectors have to check, amount of time inspecting, hold people to a higher standard of workmanship. Problem for the homeowner is I see shoddy work by licensed electricians all the time. Why pay for that when you can do it yourself?
ohm
Senior Member
- Location
- Birmingham, AL
wawireguy said:
Once the home has power an inspector will never step in the door unless invited in. In fact in one county I work, the only thing the inspector looks at on a mobile home is the meter, grounding & service disconnect. He checks for the isolated ground & neutral (outside the home) and if it measures open, he signs off.
IMO if a licensed electrician is called, the chances for obtaining quality work goes up tremendously.
These are my thoughts and summary.....
HO wiring is on the rise due to increased DIY and BB stores
EC's are doing less and less resi branch circuit work because HO's are doing it
Private Home Inspections are on the rise due to a more safety concious society and more code infractions at the time of real estate sales.
City and County Inpections do a good job but have limitations due to various reasons.....
Are these fair statements?
HO wiring is on the rise due to increased DIY and BB stores
EC's are doing less and less resi branch circuit work because HO's are doing it
Private Home Inspections are on the rise due to a more safety concious society and more code infractions at the time of real estate sales.
City and County Inpections do a good job but have limitations due to various reasons.....
Are these fair statements?
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