inspector problems

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Jim W in Tampa

Jim W in Tampa

Senior Member
Location
Tampa Florida
We have 400 amp service to office building with back up auto gen.Meter from utility goes first goes to the transfer switch witch is also first point of disconnect.Its 2 main breakers (400 each mechanical abilities to limit to one breaker at time) this is my service.Has both manuel and automatic transfer.Neutral and ground are bonded at this point.Inspector does not like gen. connection .2 X 500 + 350 and ground.Ground and neutral seperate at gen.,gen has a main breaker disconnect built in.At transfer switch we landed neutral to neutral terminal block and ground to the ground block.So far sounds fine ?He wants us to remove the jumper from ground to neutral at transfer switch.I say no can do_Opinions ?
 
First I assume the transfer switch is in fact service rated.

If yes and it is used as the service disconnect the bond is required to be done at this switch.
 
Jim I am assuming this is the same private firm inspector we have spoken about.If it is then don`t worry about future retribution ,go to P _ _ l CEI of the county and present him with the situation.There comes a time you have to stand up to the bully or lie down and take your licks from him.
 
Occasionally you do have to punch the bully right in the face. I still think we should have a forum on poor inspection practices. Hopefully I would not end up as a topic.
 
allenwayne said:
Jim I am assuming this is the same private firm inspector we have spoken about.If it is then don`t worry about future retribution ,go to P _ _ l CEI of the county and present him with the situation.There comes a time you have to stand up to the bully or lie down and take your licks from him.
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No this time its in West Chase.I think when we meet him he will back down.He might not be use to this gen. set up.
This one is for a major insurance company and EVERYTHING must stay up running in the event of hurricane.
 
Jim

Jim

.
I once went all the way to the State Capitol via a phone call to the Chief EI of MI on some jerk EI.

I won. Dont cave in. Fight it.
 
If he has you remove the n-g bond at the service disconnect, then where would he like it to be?
I'm guessing that the transfer arrangement is 3pole only, no switched neutral, right?
 
ron said:
If he has you remove the n-g bond at the service disconnect, then where would he like it to be?
I'm guessing that the transfer arrangement is 3pole only, no switched neutral, right?
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Actually its only 2 pole,single phase.Neutral not switched.Unless i missed something i have no choice but to bond neutral and ground at this service/transfer switch.It is my first point of disconnect from poco.The gen. first disco is at the gen.,so we ran seperate neutral and ground from gen to transfer.They then become bonded at transfer switch.
 
Jim,

I believe if you stand your ground and explain it the guy will understand what you are doing. The G-N bond does take place at the first service disconnect point and the Xfer is rated as Service Equipment so I do not see a problem here.

Explain to them what you are doing and WHY and the situation and I think they will confir.
 
Problem solved,he thought the big phone box next to meter was our main disconnect !!!!!!! If that dont scare you nothing will.He backed down without a fight.Just think what would have happened if we listened to him.I wish i was joking but thats what happened.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Problem solved,he thought the big phone box next to meter was our main disconnect !!!!!!! If that dont scare you nothing will.He backed down without a fight.Just think what would have happened if we listened to him.I wish i was joking but thats what happened.
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Yeah, real scary!!!

Some guys with less knoweldge would do just as he asked, no questions asked.

Both just as scary!!!
 
With the increased demand for combo inspectors, that would be a high task. Imagine having to have time in and be a master plumber, tinner, electrician, framer, ...

Not a terrible idea, I guess. Inspectors would make a fortune. :)
 
georgestolz said:
With the increased demand for combo inspectors, that would be a high task. Imagine having to have time in and be a master plumber, tinner, electrician, framer, ...

Not a terrible idea, I guess. Inspectors would make a fortune. :)
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From what I've been able to figure out for my area, inspectors don't make a whole heck of a lot of dough. If they were all licensed up in all the trades they inspect, they'd be contractors or at least well paid journeymen. I kinda feel sorry for them now that I know what several of them make in a year and the fact that it can be a thankless job.
 
Bob NH said:
Is an electrical inpsector required in all states to pass the written exam for master electrician?

Should it be required?
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The problem here Bob is that there are not enough county inspectors to do all the inspections.So they farm the work out to an engineering firm that has a certified inspector and they hire non certified inspectors.Jim I know you started a different job out of the area you were in was this a county,city or private inspector.

My guess would be private.I`ve seen them come up with stuff that made me say HUH !!!!!! Most inspectors here get around $14.00/hr. to start.They top out probably at $17.50/hr.But that takes years to get there.

The CEI 2 years ago begged me to apply but I declined.My kids would have to give up that terrible habit of eating with that pay......

Should it be required ?????? YES, but not practical.What master electrician would work for $14.00/hr.They could qualify a company here and stay home and make twice that money.I know of one guy that did just that he sits home and gets paid WELL !!!!!! Were going red fishing on Thurs. he gets paid but I won`t.But I love those redfish !!!!!!!!! :)
 
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