Strange Code Requirements?

[jeff48356]

When selling houses in Westland, they require the city to inspect the property, including electrical. They have the basic requirements for safety (100A service, GFI's in kitchen, bath, outdoors, garage, etc.) that make sense, but one odd requirement that they have is to replace any switch or receptacle with paint on it, even if it functions perfectly. Why would they have a cosmetic requirement when the code is mainly designed for safety?

 

[iwire]

one odd requirement that they have is to replace any switch or receptacle with paint on it, even if it functions perfectly. Why would they have a cosmetic requirement when the code is mainly designed for safety?

IMO the only reason a rule like this exists is somebody in a position of power has a personal dislike for painted devices and feels they must save the rest of us from such horrors.

 

[chris kennedy]

but one odd requirement that they have is to replace any switch or receptacle with paint on it, even if it functions perfectly.

IMO this would apply to paint being pushed into the contacts of a receptacle but switches?

110.12(B) Integrity of Electrical Equipment and Connections. Internal parts of electrical equipment, including busbars, wiring terminals, insulators, and other surfaces, shall not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, cleaners, abrasives, or corrosive residues. There shall be no damaged parts that may adversely affect safe operation or mechanical strength of the equipment such as parts that are broken; bent; cut; or deteriorated by corrosion, chemical action, or overheating.

 

[iwire]

IMO this would apply to paint being pushed into the contacts of a receptacle

I agree 100% IF the paint is inside the receptacle.

But even that NEC rule can not be applied to existing receptacles in existing structures, the NEC is not a maintenance code. :smile:

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

It is difficult to see if the device is cracked or damaged with paint on it. That is the reason our jurisdictions all do the same. As a matter of fact, I do not know of a jurisdiction around here that does not require the same...consistancy.

 

[iwire]

It is difficult to see if the device is cracked or damaged with paint on it. That is the reason our jurisdictions all do the same. As a matter of fact, I do not know of a jurisdiction around here that does not require the same...consistancy.

Under what rule?

Under what conditions?

If your citing existing receptacles in existing structures with 110.12(B) then for consistency sake those same structures better also comply with every other current NEC rule.

 

[mpd]

that sounds like a property maintenance code that some cities adopt, usually enforced by a code enforcement (not electrical inspectors), for rental properties and re-sales