So, What do you do?

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1793

1793

Senior Member
Location
Louisville, Kentucky
Occupation
Inspector
You are called out on a Service Run, receptacle - no power. You take the receptacle out of the wall and see that you have a grounded receptacle on a non-grounded system. This particular receptacle is not the problem relating to the Service Run.

What do you do? Put it back as you found it or replace it with an appropriate alternative. How far do you go?

I guess this could be a Poll. Not sure how to do that.
 
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I would replace it with GFCI recept.

IMO, if you are working somewhere and come across a violation, especially a safety hazard such as this with such an easy fix, you should rectify the situation.

Something a little more difficult to fix might take more time and discussion with the customer, but should still be addressed.

If you open a j-box that has open ko's do you install ko seals before you close the box? If you work in a 1900 box that had no cover do you install a blank cover when you are done?

These are just some of my pet peeves that I see overlooked quite often during the course of doing service calls. Little things that I try to fix as go along.

Again, JMSHO.:)
 
I would notify the owner of the problem. If they would like to have it fixed for a price I do so. If not I feel by making them aware of the problem I have done my job. I have gone as far as a written letter stating violations, depending on the extent.

I would love to fix all the violations I come across, but it is the customers house. They have to live in it.
 
I keep a box of two wire outlets in the van. They get used up pretty fast. It is not free to the customer for this situation, I get compensated for other peoples mistakes and violations.
 
I'm not the police. I can put the two screws back just as easily as I took them out. I like to leave things like that hang apart until the troubleshooting is done and I've located the real problem. That way, I can have one discussion with the owner about the root cause of the real problem, which they will let me repair, along with other violations discovered. I find that I have more luck selling them on the violation repairs if I have that conversation in tandem with the conversation about the repair of the problem they called me about in the first place. On repair work, I try as much as possible to get everything sorted out and a plan formulated before I talk to the owner. That lets you look "smart" in the event that you have to backpedal from conclusions you may have drawn early on in the troubleshooting process. Only you will know if this is the case, since you never vocalized them to the owner.
 
First I fix the original problem,Then I make the customer aware of the violations I found in the process. After making the customer aware of the violations and usually a short seminar of the hazzards and how electricity works. I leave the decision up to them to correct or not. I could care less if the violation burns down their house or if they lose 100k from an unexpected power outage if they choose not to heed my warnings. Now I have had a few occasions where I have de energized equipment and refused to re-energize it because it was a severe danger to people and property. I will put covers ,K/O's,etc. in boxes i work in even though it's "Existing". It's not free but, IMHO that's just what a PRO does.
 
Karl H said:
First I fix the original problem,Then I make the customer aware of the violations I found in the process. After making the customer aware of the violations and usually a short seminar of the hazards and how electricity works. I leave the decision up to them to correct or not. I could care less if the violation burns down their house or if they lose 100k from an unexpected power outage if they choose not to heed my warnings. Now I have had a few occasions where I have de energized equipment and refused to re-energize it because it was a severe danger to people and property. I will put covers ,K/O's,etc. in boxes i work in even though it's "Existing". It's not free but, IMHO that's just what a PRO does.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much what I was trying to say, but you said it better.

I did not mean to imply that I would do anything for free. I am fairly certain that my boss charges for every ko seal, wirenut, screw, etc.... that I write down on my invoice.

I do have to disagree with one point, and this is only my opinion, that as a "professional" if you come across a violation that is a potential safety issue and do not correct it, or at least have a well documented discussion with something in writing stating that you informed the customer of the hazard and they chose not to rectify the issue, you are opening yourself to possible legal issues.

I am not a big fan of hypothetical, but if something were to happen with that receptacle (ie. fire, personal injury) and it can be proven that you as a professional electrician knew that a hazard existed and did not correct it, IMO you are going to be found negligent and face possible consequences if there were to be legal action taken. We all know that there are lawyers out there that are sitting around just waiting for a situation like this to arise and all they see is $$$$$$$$$$.
 
I fix problem i was hired to do first and point out any violations.If thet reject the code update / fix i simply note it on the bill.Stop and think,this is a paying customer that we want a again.Handle them right and we will.Sound like a bring it to code guy and your never called again.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
I fix problem i was hired to do first and point out any violations.If thet reject the code update / fix i simply note it on the bill.Stop and think,this is a paying customer that we want a again.Handle them right and we will.Sound like a bring it to code guy and your never called again.
Click to expand...

this is exactly how I would handle it...
 
You have to have "permission" to do any repairs or alterations to private property. Unless your the AHJ you do not have the right to condem a private property.I can tell you just want to do the "Right" thing and I respect that.I really do.Trust me if i see something really dangerous I will do something about it even free depending on the circumstance.I always ADVISE my findings and solutions.I've even gone as far as telling the costumer to get a second oppion.
 
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