PLEASE HELP

[leah19104]

THIS IS WHAT WAS STATED IN THE INSPECTION REPORT


A neutral wire was noted at a breaker in the main box. The neutral wire appears to be wired ?hot?. Upon further investigation, it appears that the neutral wire is part of the water heater wiring and the hot wire is wired to a separate breaker. We recommend contracting a licensed electrician to properly wire the water heater to the main panel box

Note: The water heater appears to be wired to a 20-amp breaker. During repairs, the wiring and breaker should be evaluated to determine whether additional repairs are needed.

 

[roger]

Re: PLEASE HELP

We recommend contracting a licensed electrician to properly wire the water heater to the main panel box

Excellent recommendation.

Roger

 

[leah19104]

Re: PLEASE HELP

Originally posted by roger:

We recommend contracting a licensed electrician to properly wire the water heater to the main panel box

Excellent recommendation.

Roger

being smart doesnt help.
Any info could help...........not being a joker

 

[wbalsam1]

Re: PLEASE HELP

Hi:

I wonder if this report was filed by some type of "home inspector" unfamiliar with waterheater wiring. In my area, it is not uncommon to observe waterheaters wired with 10/2 non-metallic cable "romex" (with egc) with the white conductor on one pole and the black conductor on the other of a double-pole breaker, or even an approved handle-tie connecting 2 single pole breakers. The better electricians, of course, identify the white conductor with (usually red) another color other than white at all accessible locations, namely the j-box in the heater and at the panelboard location. As far as the 20 amperes, I've seen many waterheaters hold a 4.5 kw load at this protection.

[ August 16, 2005, 11:26 AM: Message edited by: wbalsam1 ]

 

[roger]

Re: PLEASE HELP

Leah, I'm sorry you didn't like my answer, but it remains as is. The HI gave you a good recommendation, use it.

Why are you reluctant to hire an EC?

You might get some info here, but being that you are a layman, the info will probably cause more confussion.


Roger

 

[leah19104]

Re: PLEASE HELP

Not reluctant to hire an EC. We are buying this home, we do not live in it yet. I need advise on what the seller needs to address and take care of before we move in. This is our 1st home we are buying.

 

[roger]

Re: PLEASE HELP

Okay, it is acceptable to use the white conductor as an Ungrounded conductor (what the HI refered to as a Neutral wire) in this cable wiring method.

I would want to make sure the conductors are sized corectly and that they are connected to the correct size double pole breaker.


Roger

 

[charlie b]

Re: PLEASE HELP

This is a continuation of another thread. So I'm closing this one. Please continue the discussion here.