Saturday, August 07, 2010
Handy Jack asks for absolution!
It never ends!
This time I got a request for approval from Handy Jack!
Question:
I am refinishing my basement. I installed 8 recessed lights on 2 circuits (Two 3-way switches each controlling 4 lights)
I did not have any 14/3 cable when I roughed it in, so I ran an additional 14/2 cabel between the switch boxes and used one of the covered wires for the traveler for each switch (white for one and black for the other. I put red tape around the ends for easy identification in the switch box) I did not use the unshielded ground wire from this cable and clipped it of and taped it so it does not contact anything.
My question is is this set up dangerous in any way or can it pose a problem?
Answer:
What you have done is both dangerous and illegal.
It is apparent that you KNEW what you were supposed to do but have "discovered" a more convenient, simple solution to an electrical installation situation that is so much more reasonable than the process followed by the literally millions of obvious idiots working in the electrical trades, including construction, engineering, design and manufacturing and possessing the combined knowledge derived from tens, if not hundreds, of BILLIONS [I am an electrician, not a mathematician. There are roughly 600,000 electricians who clock 2,000 to 3,000 working hours each year and have, in increasing numbers, for the past 100 years!] of hours of exposure to, and contemplation of, the safe and useful application of electrical energy as we understand it.
You, of course, can see clearly where we have all overlooked the apparent, simple solution and can't imagine why we would bother to delay our schedules for the mere lack of the correct material.
My guess is that someone has told you you shouldn't have done that and you are looking for a blessing to make it OK to leave as is.
Do you think it reasonable to saddle some poor unsuspecting future owner with this sub-standard installation or to endanger the technician that will be called to repair it when it stops working?
Rip it out. Do it over. Wire it right!
...or hire a professional electrician.
*
LIFE SAFETY WARNING! [disclaimer]
Electricity is dangerous!
You can be injured or killed!
Improper installations can cause fire, injury and death!
Are you qualified to do this work?
National Electrical Code definition, NFPA 70 2008 Article 100 I: Qualified Person. "One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved."
*
Licensed Philadelphia PA electrician
This time I got a request for approval from Handy Jack!
Question:
I am refinishing my basement. I installed 8 recessed lights on 2 circuits (Two 3-way switches each controlling 4 lights)
I did not have any 14/3 cable when I roughed it in, so I ran an additional 14/2 cabel between the switch boxes and used one of the covered wires for the traveler for each switch (white for one and black for the other. I put red tape around the ends for easy identification in the switch box) I did not use the unshielded ground wire from this cable and clipped it of and taped it so it does not contact anything.
My question is is this set up dangerous in any way or can it pose a problem?
Answer:
What you have done is both dangerous and illegal.
It is apparent that you KNEW what you were supposed to do but have "discovered" a more convenient, simple solution to an electrical installation situation that is so much more reasonable than the process followed by the literally millions of obvious idiots working in the electrical trades, including construction, engineering, design and manufacturing and possessing the combined knowledge derived from tens, if not hundreds, of BILLIONS [I am an electrician, not a mathematician. There are roughly 600,000 electricians who clock 2,000 to 3,000 working hours each year and have, in increasing numbers, for the past 100 years!] of hours of exposure to, and contemplation of, the safe and useful application of electrical energy as we understand it.
You, of course, can see clearly where we have all overlooked the apparent, simple solution and can't imagine why we would bother to delay our schedules for the mere lack of the correct material.
My guess is that someone has told you you shouldn't have done that and you are looking for a blessing to make it OK to leave as is.
Do you think it reasonable to saddle some poor unsuspecting future owner with this sub-standard installation or to endanger the technician that will be called to repair it when it stops working?
Rip it out. Do it over. Wire it right!
...or hire a professional electrician.
*
LIFE SAFETY WARNING! [disclaimer]
Electricity is dangerous!
You can be injured or killed!
Improper installations can cause fire, injury and death!
Are you qualified to do this work?
National Electrical Code definition, NFPA 70 2008 Article 100 I: Qualified Person. "One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved."
*
Licensed Philadelphia PA electrician
# posted by Bob @ 9:36 AM 
