The more cooks you have the crazier the soup

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masterinbama

masterinbama

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Huntsville Alabama
Just got a CO on a house yesterday. Due to local rules / regulations here is how the grounding system ended up. 400 amp meter main 3/0 copper to footing steel (local power company chart sizes ground not the NEC), 10' driven rod used a lay in lug tied the 1/0 to the rod and on to the meter main . County inspector called and asked where my #6 bond from the meter main to the ground rod was. Tried to explain over the phone that the 3/0 took care of that. I actually had to meet him on site and go over it with him. He pulled out this notebook full of hand drawings that all of the inspectors carry. He said since his sketch showed the # 6 I had to provide one. I could barely keep from laughing.
 
Here in my area, You can have a guy that has never done electrical work in his life, Maybe he was a welder or a carpenter. He gets a job as a building inspector. They tell him he needs to study certain trades and take the inspectors test.
So He studies ,passes the test and wolaaaaa, He's a certified Electrical inspector.
Point is, just because they have the title doesn't mean the piece of paper that it is on.
I once had one tell me you can not run mc cable in a commercial building.
 
We have one just to the north in Tennessee that says you can only put a max 25 amp breaker on a standard water heater. His reasoning is 4500 watts divided by 240 is 18.75 amps times 125% is 23.4 amps next standard breaker is 25 amps
 
Yes.

Sizing conductors would be 4500W/240V = 18.75A

18.75A x 1.25%= 23.43A

Select conductor per 310.16

#10



Sizing OCPD per 422.11(E)(3)

So we know the minimum is going to be 125%

18.75A x 1.25%= 23.43A MINIMUM

So we know the maximum is going to be 125%

18.75A x 1.50%= 28.125A MAXIMUM

A 28.125A load maxiimum possible, gets a 30A OCPD - Next size up rule per 240.4(B)
 
Indeed... Even though 25A breakers are becoming more common due to ac units, until it's listed as a common breaker in the code book 30A it is.
 
????????????????????

Indeed... Even though 25A breakers are becoming more common due to ac units, until it's listed as a common breaker in the code book 30A it is.
Click to expand...

It already is listed in 240.6(A)

I just showed in the work above, why you don't have to use the 25A OCPD!

Do you suffer the same disease as the inspector back in Tennessee?
 
jmsbrush said:
Here in my area, You can have a guy that has never done electrical work in his life, Maybe he was a welder or a carpenter. He gets a job as a building inspector. They tell him he needs to study certain trades and take the inspectors test.
So He studies ,passes the test and wolaaaaa, He's a certified Electrical inspector.
Point is, just because they have the title doesn't mean the piece of paper that it is on.
I once had one tell me you can not run mc cable in a commercial building.
Click to expand...
IMO every electrical inspector should be required to pass the ICC electrical inspectors exam, which includes residential and commercial tests.:cool:
 
IMO every electrical inspector should be required to pass the ICC electrical inspectors exam, which includes residential and commercial tests.
Click to expand...

The residential one is a joke and no wonder there are problems due to inexperienced guys getting certified as multi-disciplined inspectors. Only because they can take a test.
 
ivsenroute said:
The residential one is a joke and no wonder there are problems due to inexperienced guys getting certified as multi-disciplined inspectors. Only because they can take a test.
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It may be a "joke", did you take it? I think it's better than nothing. What would you suggest to be an inspector?
 
Hendrix said:
It may be a "joke", did you take it? I think it's better than nothing. What would you suggest to be an inspector?
Click to expand...

Yes I took it, that's how I know it is a joke.

I also took and passed the ICC Commercial Electrical Inspector and that one is certainly more legit but could be harder.

The ICC Electrical Plans Examiner was very legit and one of the harder ones that I took.

The residential electrical inspector test is right out of the IRC only and you don't need the NEC to pass it.

Is it better than nothing? Yes but the residential one is too easy and that is why we are seeing more inconsistency.

In my opinion, you need to have at least 10 years hands on in residential, commercial and industrial, plus formal training then you can take a test.

Right now a guy can be a cook for 20 years with no trade experience at all, study for a month and pass the residential test. Then that same guy goes out and tells you that you need ground rods because that is what the picture in the unofficial book shows. Hence this thread.
 
jwelectric said:
Require a 25 amp breaker on a water heater unless the contractor can show that a 25 wont hold.
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Hey cowboy ;)I don't have to prove anything.:smile:

It is well within my discretion to use a 30 amp breaker with a 240 volt 4500 watt electric water heater.

4500/240=18.75 amps

18.75*1.5= 28.75 next standard size is 30 amps.

422.11(E)(3). (2005)

I can use a 25 but I do not have to.:cool:
 
Did a government job the electrical inspector for the government had just started, previously he was a boiler inspector for the navy that job ended and they gave him a list of openings. Electrical inspector was the nearest job to his house so he took it. Very nice guy and really wanted to learn, but had a LONGGGGGGGGGGGGG way to go.
 
Hey Bob,

That's the same thing I said on the last page!
 
iwire said:
Hey cowboy ;)I don't have to prove anything.:smile:

It is well within my discretion to use a 30 amp breaker with a 240 volt 4500 watt electric water heater.

4500/240=18.75 amps

18.75*1.5= 28.75 next standard size is 30 amps.

422.11(E)(3). (2005)

I can use a 25 but I do not have to.:cool:
Click to expand...

I know but is just looked so good after this question:

jwelectric said:
Hendrix said:
What would you suggest to be an inspector?
Click to expand...
Require a 25 amp breaker on a water heater unless the contractor can show that a 25 wont hold.
Click to expand...
 
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