Questions tagged [code-compliance]
For questions relating to compliance with laws and ordinances of federal, state/province and local jurisdictions. Questions should also be tagged with the specific area of construction involved.
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Tips for avoiding floor impact noise [closed]
We had a 2-story extension built, complies with earthquake code in Oregon. It only has a sub-floor right now but the impact noise from the bedroom to the kitchen downstairs is shocking.
The final ...
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1
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Cover black gas pipe in basement ceiling
I am remodeling my basement and have a concern about the black steel gas pipe that runs along the ceiling (below the joists). I plan to strap the ceiling, so I could potentially cover the pipe up with ...
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3
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1
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Levition FBBOX installation
I am doing preliminary design of the wiring for a shop to be built next year. The floor will have a concrete slab. I want to use the Leviton FBBOX system to put some outlets in the center of the shop ...
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0
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Code regarding exterior disconnects, outlets and fixtures
What are the code requirements for wiring to outdoor disconnects, outlets and outdoor lighting fixtures? I've usually just ran the type NM cable directly to the box. It seems difficult to transition ...
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4
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Safely mounting television or shelves above breaker box
I am looking to wall mount a television above the breaker box in my garage. It would either be this or storage shelving. Either way, I would like to have an idea of whether this can be done safely ...
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Is it permissible to cover over an ethernet (or other low voltage) wall plate
I am building a built-in bookshelf that covers a good portion of a wall. I know it is not to code to bury an electrical junction box, so I moved an outlet accordingly. I also have an ethernet data ...
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244
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Can 12-2 Romex run close to the floor and the back up to the box?
I'm wiring up my new house/garage for work bench.
I've come across an area that I can not use the normal route to run romex as it's blocking my route to the gang box
I was wondering if I could just ...
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Apartment Fire Code [closed]
Recently had a main transformer blow in my apartment building, whole place was without power, but we did discover that the fire alarms had no backup power source to allow the alarm pulls to still ...
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Can I print plastic blank space fillers for my service panel?
I'm guessing the answer is "no" but I saw this question and got curious. If panel fillers are expensive, and you don't have a breaker, can you 3d print your own? I'm guessing the panel front ...
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258
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Garage surface conduit feed an outdoor outlet
I have an attached drywalled garage w/ a subpanel that feeds several outlets in the garage. All wiring is in surface mount PVC conduit using THHN wiring, and all are serviced via GFCI breakers. I ...
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Sub panel feeder circuit wire sizing
I’m planning to upgrade the service in a detached garage, which is currently fed by a single 15amp circuit, and I wanted to confirm that I have my circuit sizing correct. The existing circuit runs ...
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What is the proper why to add an outlet to island side panel?
I'm replacing the cabinets on my existing island and preparing it for a waterfall countertop.
I need to move two small appliances outlets to the side where the dishwasher is located.
NOTE: these are ...
- 153
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2
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Is it a code violation to have so many outlets and switches on a single breaker?
My mother in law recently started renting a 3 bed 2 bath 2019 Nevada series single section mobile home. She is constantly blowing the same breaker which controls all of the switches and outlets (...
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3
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Calculating subpanel breaker size
I'm building out a shop (within the same building as the main panel) and I'm considering adding a sub panel to make running circuits easier, and to make any future expansion easier.
I'm unsure how to ...
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Is there a minimum required distance between window and kitchen countertops?
I'm planning on a kitchen remodel which will reduce the existing space between a window and the countertop. There is a required electrical outlet in this space.
I was wondering if there is any ...
- 153
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Required permit/expansion tank/inspection
My county requires a permit to replace an electric water heater. They also require installation of an expansion tank. I looked up the purpose of an expansion tank and learned municiple sourced water ...
3
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1
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550
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Can NM cable run directly behind a junction box in a wall?
I'm placing a receptacle 43” above the floor. I plan on building a work bench in this area. I’m running some cable and using preexisting holes in the stud, but one of the holes is exactly 43” high. I’...
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Where should I place electrical outlets in waterfall island?
I'm remodeling my kitchen.
The existing island have a raised bar and two electrical outlets (on its the backsplash).
We are cutting down the raised wall and moving to a waterfall countertop but then, ...
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1
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980
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Attic Skylight Install to Increase Sloped Ceiling Head Room
I have an attic I'm considering converting to living space and looking at ways to increase light while also increasing head room. The current (skylight-less) roof has a slope and I'm wondering if I ...
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1
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Can I run a bond cable through a hole in a wall shared by plastic conduit?
200 amp service upgrade. Can I run a bond cable through a hole in a wall shared by plastic conduit? If not how far away from the conduit do I need to stay?
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Main Breaker Panel in Garage w/o Garage Doors
We have a recent second floor & garage addition, and the main panel was moved to the garage from its old location.
Due to COVID and our general contractor's procrastination (we have since fired ...
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Is it ok to run a 100 amp sub panel off a 150 amp main panel?
I'm installing a GE 100 Amp MLO panel about 50 feet from the main panel in a different building that's about 700 sq/ft.
I'm pulling three #3 in 1-1/4" PVC with a #6 ground. The main is a 150 ...
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2
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Can I pigtail #10 and #14 wires in my service panel?
I foolishly pulled 60' of 10/2 cable only to open the cover of my panel to find it has no room for the needed 30 amp breaker. Can I pigtail the two 14 ga wires from two 15 amp breakers with one of ...
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3
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Can outlet circuit ground wires be connected to the panel ground wire?
Introduction
My house initially had many outlets grounded to the copper plumbing using ground pipe clamps like this one which I know are no longer allowed via code:
I have gone through and replaced ...
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Can both a 240V power supply and a 120V power supply, coming from a sauna heater's single power unit, go to the same outbuilding?
So the situation is as follows: I've found an electric sauna heater I want to use in the detached, outdoor sauna I'm building. The outdoor sauna is 55' away from the house, so I'm planning to bury PVC ...
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2
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Dryer Venting for 1984 Condo
We are in the process of buying a circa 1984 condo. The dryer is not presently vented to the outside, and I do not know if it ever was. It currently vents inside to a water-filled lint catch basin.
I ...
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Can I run an underground wire to a shed on blocks?
I have a 12'x16' shed which has been leveled using concrete blocks but otherwise sits on the grass/dirt. It's about 100' from the house. I live in Georgia. I'd love to add some lights and outlets ...
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43
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Switched receptacle to fully powered receptacle withuot losing light function
I have a bathroom receptacle that is controlled by the light switch. How do i PROPERLY separate the switch from the receptacle so as the light still works from the switch but the receptacle stays ...
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2
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170
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Building Steps Up to Code? First Time Attempting Steps
I recently built a paver patio and the existing porchsteps that were removed during the process no longer fit. I am attempting to research building a new set of steps and my head is spinning with how ...
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2
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571
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Is this 3 switch wiring arrangement allowed by code?
I have a hallway light fixture with three switches. When the circuit is off, a small voltage persists to the fixture causing LED and CFL bulbs to stop working prematurely. It is believed that the ...
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Did I compromise my floor framing by drilling diagonally through a joist?
I’m boring some holes to run new wiring and there happened to be two adjacent floor joists under where I was drilling, so I drilled diagonally-vertically through one of the joists. The hole is 3/4” ...
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Is it ok for a bathroom sink vent to go up and come back down over an obstacle?
I think this question has been asked before but I can't quite find exactly my situation.
I'm pretty sure this isn't to code, either, except the IPC code section 905.2 apparently says
All vent and ...
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5
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Is it code compliant to run only a hot wire to a relay used as a 3-way switch?
I am setting up a relay to control my 120v/15a pool light. The relay control will be located in a plastic project box near the pool equipment and will be driven by a 24VAC coil. The light circuit will ...
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A handyman abandoned his tools at our place, won't answer calls
I am not sure if this is the right place for this question, but a handyman we hired (Massachusetts area) has left his tools, including a blow torch, at our place after a botched bathroom tub repair. ...
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Adding NM cable into side hole on service panel, code securing?
Service panel in basement is mounted directly to block wall just below the joist. I want to add new circuit cables, NM-B-14-2, through side holes using a knockout clamp. If the side hole is more than ...
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Does the arrangement of breakers within a panel matter or follow any rules?
When somebody is installing breakers initially or doing a major remodel, are there rules or restrictions that must be followed in regard to which breaker goes where in the panel spaces?
Obviously dual-...
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2
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Horizontal Electrical Outlet - How to Rough?
I'm out in Chicago, and we are required to pipe in everything with conduit and use metal boxes.
For vertical 2 gang outlets, we use normally a 4 inch box with side mounting to a stud and two mud rings ...
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0
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492
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Sizing wide flange I-Beam for 20" span
I am doing a barn renovation project (pacific NW, 98922), and need to take out a large load bearing wall and replace it with a beam. Was going to use an LVL (which I sized at about 5.5 x 18") ...
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How to install a utilitech heater ventilation fan with light?
Just trying to replace an old Broan heater/fan/light with a new Utilitech one and very confused about how the wires are meant to go.
I suspect the initial set up was not to code. Very novice on ...
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Can I put a junction box in the ceiling accessible by removing a bath fan
Can I put a junction box in the ceiling which is only accessible by removing the bathroom fan. My existing fan has conduit from the switch coming in on the top and then conduit on the side going to ...
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Is it legal to use different wire types for pig-tails?
When wiring an indoor switch, receptacle or fixture that has NM-B run into the box, is it legal to use a different type of wire (for example THHN) of the appropriate gauge to make pig-tails?
I can't ...
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Can a 1 hour fire wall be used as a finish wall?
I am building what is referred to as an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), and will be required to install a 1-hour firewall which I understand to be a 2x4 wall with 5/8" gypsum on both sides. It ...
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How to install deck railing post sleeves on these posts?
When I bought my house, the deck was in poor shape. Enough to pass inspection, but the deck boards have not been sealed or washed in years. There are way too many splintering and cracked boards. I ...
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Do UL-listed product specifications or NEC rules take precedence?
An interesting question arose elsewhere. Suppose you break out a "New, Old Stock" item. It is UL-approved and has UL-approved instructions.
The instructions say to do X.
However, since the ...
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3
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Do the electrical codes have a solution to extend a cable that is short?
There is an existing wire that was feeding a vanity light on a wall close to the light switch. I want to re-purpose it to feed a string of three LED lights and obviously the wire is to short to reach ...
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2
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Metal box grounding question GFCI outlet
What is this wire for? The picture shows a wire connected to the grounding screw and back to the outlet. Is this commonly done to get a connection to the metal box? My outlet tester shows this outlet ...
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433
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RV Pedestal - 20 AMP GFCI & 50 AMP 14-50 in same 2 Gang Box?
I'm installing an RV pedestal at my home. Out-of-the-box pedestals are not available. I'm using a 70 AMP outdoor main lug load center (HOM24L880RBCP), and a quad 2-20A 1P, 1-50A 1P breaker to feed two ...
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I need to power a dryer and a sauna from the same 220v/30a breaker, but not simultaneously
I have a 220V 30A dryer line with an outlet plugin for my dryer. The dryer, the outlet, and the circuit box are all in the basement. The circuit box doesn't have room for an additional circuit.
I ...
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2
answers
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Powering 2 switches from 1 switch, legal? (not 3-way)
Ok, so I have a dimmer that controls a light in an alcove. I'm adding built in cabinets and adding LED strip lighting on the back side of the trim. The LEDs will be powered by a UL rated dimmable ...
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Acceptable to add knockout to PVC conduit body?
I have a 1" PVC LB Conduit Body passing through a wall into the electrical panel (the conduit body ultimately leads to a SPA pack). I'd like to add a 20amp receptacle on the opposite site of wall ...
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