Wiring out of panelboard - New Construction

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tonype

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Need help with this one - new construction -builder (cabinet maker that does contracting on the - builds a couple of homes a year) was boasting about the neat wiring job HE DID PERSONALLY (4-family home) - yikes!

Anyway, I have concerns on how he routed the wires out of the panels, into a cable tray, and out of the back of the cable tray - clustered wires, not clamping, etc.

Am I correct in the conclusion that this installation as problems.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/P1010987_edited-1.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/TonyPE/P1010986_edited-1.jpg
 
The bundling is less than 24". No problem. Neat job too. Will easily pass inspection. At least in my jurisdiction.

314.17 (B) last sentence: You don't have to support cables in raceways or GUTTERS.
 
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Shouldn't the KO in the back of the gutter be bushed? And good luck tracing that if there is a problem. I am all for concealed wiring, but if there is ever a problem, good luck with that.
 
So far what I am getting is:

1. Wire density problem in conduit
2. Need bushings at rear exiting of cable tray.
3. Wiring attachment/clamping problems 314-17(B).
4. Wire bundling issue (close to the 24" if you include start point in panel).

PS: How can GC get away with personally wiring home (or does he use someone else's license)?
 
tonype said:
So far what I am getting is:

4. Wire bundling issue (close to the 24" if you include start point in panel).

PS: How can GC get away with personally wiring home (or does he use someone else's license)?
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The 24" is the length of the wire in the conduit not in the panel.

Different areas have different rules. If it is his own house some areas will allow you to wire it. He may also be using someone's license
 
tonype said:
So far what I am getting is:

1. Wire density problem in conduit
2. Need bushings at rear exiting of cable tray.
3. Wiring attachment/clamping problems 314-17(B).
4. Wire bundling issue (close to the 24" if you include start point in panel).

PS: How can GC get away with personally wiring home (or does he use someone else's license)?
Click to expand...

California allows someone with a general contractors license to do their own wiring (with some stipulations)

An electrical contractor must employ licensed journeymen or enrolled apprentices, but there is no requirement that the general contractor do the same!! Go figure!
 
I'm confused - 334.30 appears to say that nm does not have to be secured to raceway since it is protected by the raceway ? Of course, I think its clear that there might be a heat dissipation problem, but does nm need to be secured in this fashion or not ?
 
Maybe we should turn the pics into this week's "Spot the Violation" contest.
I'll go 1st, The White wire is not re-identified on the 2-pole breaker in the panel and one of the PVC nipples into the gutter doesn't look quite right- sort of looks like a PVC coupling to me.
 
nakulak said:
I'm confused - 334.30 appears to say that nm does not have to be secured to raceway since it is protected by the raceway ? Of course, I think its clear that there might be a heat dissipation problem, but does nm need to be secured in this fashion or not ?
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Although 334.30 permits NM to be unsecured WITHIN a raceway, the cables need to be secured to the cabinet, unless the exception to 312.5(C) applies (IMO).
 
Jljohnson said:
Maybe we should turn the pics into this week's "Spot the Violation" contest.
I'll go 1st, The White wire is not re-identified on the 2-pole breaker in the panel and one of the PVC nipples into the gutter doesn't look quite right- sort of looks like a PVC coupling to me.
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How is that gutter bonded? :confused:
 
I have no problem with the "bundling" or lack of connectors. Every house in AZ has all the NM running into the panel thru a single 2-2 1/2 inch KO/bushing.

If those are PVC nipples, I don't see a ground to the gutter and no bushings. Someone with beter eyes than me saw the white hot wire.
 
In WA a general contractor wiring his own job would not get a permit or a inspection. The POCO will not hook up his meter until a passed inspection sticker is on the service. Could get some fines also if caught by a compliance officer.
 
tonype said:
GC said it was a neater job this way
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Safety counts long before neatness....;)

I myself would have brought them into the back of the panels as well. Eliminates the nipples and gutter altogether.... and that's neater yet.
 
480sparky said:
How is that gutter bonded? :confused:
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My first (insane) thought was that he used steel nipples inside of PVC couplers (for looks :-?)

Upon closer inspection I'm fairly certain that he used threaded adapters glued back to back. (you can see solvent drips in the first picture) I can't even be sure if there are locknuts below those bushings.

Here's how I envision this conversation:

"Grounding? Whatcha talkin' about Willis?"
 
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