Outlet spacing in Tennessee

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howardrichman

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I've recently moved to Tennessee from New Jersey. I've been a electrical contractor for 35 years, and have found a house which is presently being roughed out for plumbing and electric. I'm finding out today if I can either use my New Jersey license or as a new homeowner in Tennessee with change of contractor permit and update. there wiring methods are quite different here. I'm not going to go into it, but I MUST intervene, or be part of that rough. I know that in New Jersey the outlet spacing is 6' at any point along a wall line, which is usually 6, from an opening sa. a door, and 12' around. They're spacing the receptacle outlets are @ 6' apart through out except for kitchen counters. It's ok to have more, but yea, different methods through out.



Thank you...
 
howardrichman said:
I've recently moved to Tennessee from New Jersey. I've been a electrical contractor for 35 years, and have found a house which is presently being roughed out for plumbing and electric. I'm finding out today if I can either use my New Jersey license or as a new homeowner in Tennessee with change of contractor permit and update. there wiring methods are quite different here. I'm not going to go into it, but I MUST intervene, or be part of that rough. I know that in New Jersey the outlet spacing is 6' at any point along a wall line, which is usually 6, from an opening sa. a door, and 12' around. They're spacing the receptacle outlets are @ 6' apart through out except for kitchen counters. It's ok to have more, but yea, different methods through out.



Thank you...
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I doubt they are required to have outlets spaced a 6' apart. Probably some guys wiring the house that don't know what they are doing.

Where are you located in TN?
 
Yea. Who knows what builders or owners wanted. Hate that? You should see my countertop.. 3 ckts, 14 recepts - each their own

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howardrichman said:
I've recently moved to Tennessee from New Jersey. I've been a electrical contractor for 35 years, and have found a house which is presently being roughed out for plumbing and electric. I'm finding out today if I can either use my New Jersey license or as a new homeowner in Tennessee with change of contractor permit and update. there wiring methods are quite different here. I'm not going to go into it, but I MUST intervene, or be part of that rough. I know that in New Jersey the outlet spacing is 6' at any point along a wall line, which is usually 6, from an opening sa. a door, and 12' around. They're spacing the receptacle outlets are @ 6' apart through out except for kitchen counters. It's ok to have more, but yea, different methods through out.



Thank you...
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I'm in Tn and I think you have run into some ignorant (not stupid, just unknowing) people or someone that just wants extra.
Most likely, someone misunderstands the 6' rule and took it to mean 6' apart rather that being able to reach one within 6'.
 
More is better! With more you stand a chance of being able to plug in a vacuum cleaner or charge a laptop without moving furniture!:D

Now the sheetrockers might charge more...:lol:

I doubt I've ever gone 12 feet without another receptacle, but I never do tract houses.
 
Well, I guess more is OK. He also runs a minimum of 12 Guage for all outlets on a 20 amp; for lighting and outlets. It makes it hard to install switches and dimmers. Kind of a waist. Also; installs smoke, smk-CO2 detectors on a dedicated line to main panel, but at least uses 14 guage, but that's it !!
 
howardrichman said:
Well, I guess more is OK. He also runs a minimum of 12 Guage for all outlets on a 20 amp; for lighting and outlets. It makes it hard to install switches and dimmers. Kind of a waist. Also; installs smoke, smk-CO2 detectors on a dedicated line to main panel, but at least uses 14 guage, but that's it !!
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Over-engineering and a waste for sure imo.
 
howardrichman said:
Well, I guess more is OK. He also runs a minimum of 12 Guage for all outlets on a 20 amp; for lighting and outlets. It makes it hard to install switches and dimmers. Kind of a waist. Also; installs smoke, smk-CO2 detectors on a dedicated line to main panel, but at least uses 14 guage, but that's it !!
Click to expand...

come a bit further to the Southwest and out in the mountains and you will be proud if you find Romex and not THWN strung thru the studs :D
 
howardrichman said:
Well, I guess more is OK. He also runs a minimum of 12 Guage for all outlets on a 20 amp; for lighting and outlets. It makes it hard to install switches and dimmers. Kind of a waist.
Click to expand...

When you get used to working with #14 it does seem hard to work with #12. Years ago there were lot of homes here that were wired in #12GA and it didn't seem to be a problem at all.

Get yourself a jug of the local shine and be sure to cut it 50% with gasoline (for flavor) and things won't bother you so much.
 
Well; Now the builder says the inspector wants a dedicated 20 amp line for a single receptacle outlet for the condensate pump for the basement heat pump. the heat pump lines are 2 -240V lines(30 and 50 amp). I'd just come off a lighting circuit to feed a single plug. I think he wrongly interperates what the inspector wants .



HR...
 
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