jmellc
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Facility Maintenance Tech. Licensed Electrician
I emailed this to a former inspector from our area, now a code instructor. He verified that bare neutrals were allowed prior to 1996 code, but only with SE cable and fed from service equipment. NM with bare neutral was a violation. He termed it "ignorance on the part of the installer and overlooked by the inspector."
I am amazed that so much of this was done and that it passed inspection. It surely was standard procedure for a long time in areas where I have worked. Had I known differently, I would not have installed it, or would have at least brought it to my bosses' attention. They were all people who were supposed to know the rules.
With all that said, I always pay close attention to #10 grounds when I work in a panel. I kill any ckt I think to be a dryer or be sure dryer is unplugged if I can reach the plug.
I am amazed that so much of this was done and that it passed inspection. It surely was standard procedure for a long time in areas where I have worked. Had I known differently, I would not have installed it, or would have at least brought it to my bosses' attention. They were all people who were supposed to know the rules.
With all that said, I always pay close attention to #10 grounds when I work in a panel. I kill any ckt I think to be a dryer or be sure dryer is unplugged if I can reach the plug.