Can I run with you? Wires in service entrance conduit/mast.

Chelan Real Estate Inspections

Rules, rules, did I say rules?

Sometimes you have to wonder about things. As home inspectors we are paid professional observers. We observe and then we write. I am also a professional wonderer.

The most important observations we make concerns safety and it makes me wonder. This is really what most of the rules are all about.

So often when performing a home inspection I see items that are potentially safety issues. The problem is like many things safety issues may never really materialize.

It is like driving without your seatbelt on. Unless other things go very wrong not wearing your seat belt will never have a negative effect and it is easier.

So here is a case from a home inspection.  We have the overhead service entrance conductors coming into the home through the conduit, or raceway as defined by the codes.

In addition we have some branch conductors in the same conduit running out to an outlet (I mean outlet in the technical term of such- A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment).

                                         (I know there are other issues here this is for the example)

Rules, rules and more rules... per NEC 230.7 Other Conductors in Raceway or Cable.  Conductors other than service conductors shall not be installed in the same service raceway or service cable.

Well here is the main issue with this situation. The service conductors coming into the home do not have any overcurrent protection i.e. circuit breaker or fuse. If something goes wrong then the potential amount of current that could be imposed on theses branch circuit conductors will be much higher than what that wiring is capable of handling. This can be a very bad situation.

In reality this situation most likely will not happen, but rules are rules and you do not get to run branch conductors with the service entrance conductors, nor should you run with scissors. Where are all of those one eyed children anyway?

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair

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…

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