A Hat Trick- Home Inspection Findings                                             Wenatchee Home Inspections

During a bathroom inspection a hat was on the wall. Now this was a bit of an odd place for a hat, so lifting the hat revealed an interesting find.

 

Behind the hat we have the electrical hat trick; One- the electrical splice not properly contained in a junction box, Two- the wires do not have the required termination length of conductors and Three- the grounds have not been spliced together.

Time for Sparky to come to the rescue.

Here is a little code on required length of conductors from the 2014 NEC.

NEC 300.14-  Length of Free Conductors at Outlets, Junctions, and Switch Points

At least 150 mm (6 in.) of free conductor, measured from the point in the box where it emerges from its raceway or cable sheath, shall be left at each outlet, junction, and switch point for splices or the connection of luminaires or devices. Where the opening to an outlet, junction, or switch point is less than 200 mm (8 in.) in any dimension, each conductor shall be long enough to extend at least 75 mm (3 in.) outside the opening.

Exception: Conductors that are not spliced or terminated at the outlet, junction, or switch point shall not be required to comply with 300.14.

Proper conductor length is required to facilitate making connections and splices.

Proper terminations and splices are crucial for safety and proper system performance. Improper splices can lead to fire and potential shock. A large portion of electrical system failures come from improper terminations and splices.

Again this was a great lesson. Often when doing home inspections there will be objects that may seem a bit out of place, such as this hat. As a home inspector it is often a wise idea to evaluate such findings a little farther. Often I have found sub panels, plumbing connections/devices and various other items that need evaluation hidden behind oddly placed wall and floor objects.

“Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes.”

Peter Drucker

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service.

Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection-  Bellingham Technical College

www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                                   509-670-9572

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