Plastic plate screws in northern NJ?

[mark32]

I know there are a few of you in the area. Every week someone comes into HD looking for plastic/nylon plate screws, which we don't stock. When asked to explain why they say their inspector wants them but that's it. Is there a building code around here that requires these?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I know there are a few of you in the area. Every week someone comes into HD looking for plastic/nylon plate screws, which we don't stock. When asked to explain why they say their inspector wants them but that's it. Is there a building code around here that requires these?

Years ago in lieu of grounding a switch the inspectors wanted nylon screws so that the screws could not be energized. Eventually we had to ground the switch thus no need for the nylon screws.

 

[LarryFine]

McFeely's has them. 6-32x1/2" white and ivory, 2.26 for 25.

 

[raider1]

I have installed plastic plate screws for a customer who hated to get a static shock when they turned on the light switches. When they first called me they stated that "Flames" were comming from the switches when they were turning them on.

Chris

 

[infinity]

Why would an inspector require plastic screws? Old ungrounded switchers would be grandfathered in and new switches would be required to be grounded. When I hear things like "inspectors want" them my head wants to explode.

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

When I hear things like "inspectors want" them my head wants to explode.

When I run into the "my town" inspector, I just tell them in the nicest way possible I want to make a quick phonecall to the DCA to discuss the violation before abiding by their rules.

A NJ inspector/CEU teacher taught me that one. He told me the DCA absolutely frowns on that type of inspector.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Why would an inspector require plastic screws? Old ungrounded switchers would be grandfathered in and new switches would be required to be grounded. When I hear things like "inspectors want" them my head wants to explode.

There was a time when no one stocked grounded switches so we would use a regular sp or 3 way (NG) on a plastic box. The inspectors would allow this as long as plastic/nylon screws were used so the plate screws could not get energized.

 

[infinity]

There was a time when no one stocked grounded switches so we would use a regular sp or 3 way (NG) on a plastic box. The inspectors would allow this as long as plastic/nylon screws were used so the plate screws could not get energized.

I remember those nongrounding switches but that was a long time ago.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I remember those nongrounding switches but that was a long time ago.

You are showing your age.

 

[mark32]

Why would an inspector require plastic screws? Old ungrounded switchers would be grandfathered in and new switches would be required to be grounded. When I hear things like "inspectors want" them my head wants to explode.

My thoughts exactly, I always ask the "Electrician" why he needs them and each and every one of them just says the inspector wants it. None of them ever questions it, I should mention though I don't normally field technical questions from the brightest electricians at my HD as they already know what they want and need. It's the builders/electricians that drive me crazy, recently one of these fellows told a coworker that NJ now requires you to drive three ground rods and in turn he begins telling others this. Blahhh

 

[jaylectricity]

What is the DCA?

 

[infinity]

What is the DCA?

Division of Consumer Affairs. They're the regulatory body for electrical contractors and to some degree electrical inspectors in the State of New Jersey. If you're having a problem with an interpretation or an inspector asking for something that you don't believe is required they will help to get you the correct answers. They will even go as far as talking to an inspector who is out of line. It's a very good system with an excellent representative in Suzanne Borek who works in the code assistance unit.

 

[jaylectricity]

Division of Consumer Affairs. They're the regulatory body for electrical contractors and to some degree electrical inspectors in the State of New Jersey. If you're having a problem with an interpretation or an inspector asking for something that you don't believe is required they will help to get you the correct answers. They will even go as far as talking to an inspector who is out of line. It's a very good system with an excellent representative in Suzanne Borek who works in the code assistance unit.

And yet New Jersey gets the bad reputation from the rest of the country.

 

[infinity]

And yet New Jersey gets the bad reputation from the rest of the country.

We're used to it.

In all honesty the system that they have for EC's is very good. Besides the code assistance unit, they have one statewide license and no local code amendments or licensing. I hear horror stories, from other electricians that I know, about a bordering state that has all sorts of local licenses and crazy local rules. Not only is it very expensive to work in different towns and counties because they require different licenses, but what's good over here in this town may not be acceptable in the other town across the street.