UF Cable Indoors

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mkgrady

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Massachusetts
I had an electrician tell me today that he once failed an inspection for having uf cable run indoors. I never heard that before. In fact years ago we had an inspector require uf cable on all exterior walls where Romex would normally be used. Assuming an area indoors can have Romex meet code, wouldn't uf also meet code?
 
I do not see a problem with running UF inside,
I see it as a case where you are going over and above the NEC minimum.
 
mkgrady said:
I had an electrician tell me today that he once failed an inspection for having uf cable run indoors. I never heard that before. In fact years ago we had an inspector require uf cable on all exterior walls where Romex would normally be used. Assuming an area indoors can have Romex meet code, wouldn't uf also meet code?
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Clearly the electrician was uneducated on the subject.

340.10(4) - Uses Permitted

(4) Installed as nonmetallic-sheathed cable. Where so installed, the installation and conductor requirements shall comply with Parts II and III of Article 334 and shall be of the multiconductor type.

If this issue is with the heat......it's not an issue as it again as the be installed in accordance with Part II and III of Article 334.
 
mkgrady said:
I had an electrician tell me today that he once failed an inspection for having uf cable run indoors. I never heard that before. In fact years ago we had an inspector require uf cable on all exterior walls where Romex would normally be used. Assuming an area indoors can have Romex meet code, wouldn't uf also meet code?
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Absent local amendments, the 2014 edition of the NEC does not appear to prohibit the use of UF indoors unless it's a commercial garage, theater, motion picture studio and some other restrictions. See 340.12.
 
Don't let the prohibition on USE indoors spill over in your mind to UF, and see if that might be confusing the inspector.

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MasterTheNEC said:
True Dat....But if you know better...Educate Em !.....what have they got to lose...:angel:
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Many don't want to deal with inspectors that have a God complex and would rather take the risk (especially if it seems slight) of not getting permits/inspections. There are also many that when they do get inspected that never challenge an inspector if they think (s)he is wrong, so the inspector seldom ever gets set straight when they are wrong, which elevates their ego if they already have a God complex.
 
Considering I was one (Inspector not God-Like) and Educators I can say not all feel that way.

Comments based on the 2017 National Electrical Code.
 
MasterTheNEC said:
Considering I was one (Inspector not God-Like) and Educators I can say not all feel that way.

Comments based on the 2017 National Electrical Code.
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I haven't had much of that problem with EI's around here but certainly have seen it in other people in an authoritative position. Even if it is just a supervisor at some workplace in general.
 
As an Inspector, I do not have a God complex when I inspect. I feel that contractor educate me and I educate them equally on a jobsite. I am never afraid to admit that I am wrong and I am willing to discuss any installation openly. What I do have a problem with is when contractors do not pull a permit and the homeowner calls 6 months later with concerns or complaints about an installation. They expect me to fix their problem, which many times could have been corrected at the time of inspection if there was one. I started this job 28 years ago with the concept that I inform as much as I inspect and have gotten along with all the contractors since. I know that is not typical in a lot of places, including some of the surrounding jurisdictions. If I can back it up with the code, I stand behind it. If not, let's talk about it.
 
102 Inspector said:
As an Inspector, I do not have a God complex when I inspect. I feel that contractor educate me and I educate them equally on a jobsite. I am never afraid to admit that I am wrong and I am willing to discuss any installation openly. What I do have a problem with is when contractors do not pull a permit and the homeowner calls 6 months later with concerns or complaints about an installation. They expect me to fix their problem, which many times could have been corrected at the time of inspection if there was one. I started this job 28 years ago with the concept that I inform as much as I inspect and have gotten along with all the contractors since. I know that is not typical in a lot of places, including some of the surrounding jurisdictions. If I can back it up with the code, I stand behind it. If not, let's talk about it.
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I would think the problems would have to be pretty serious, or at least be issues with major inconveniences to the owners if they are willing to contact the inspection dept in order to get action out of a contractor.

Many places once AHJ finds out permits weren't filed or rough in inspections didn't occur, they can make you open walls back up so that inspections can take place. Most owners won't want to do that if the project is for the most part completed. I imagine if it happens anyway it is a way of trying to get revenge on whoever the contractor was that they are not satisfied with, could still cost them more in the end then they realize going in, though they may get some potential safety issues resolved that they didn't even know existed.
 
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