42
votes
Accepted
Should my neighbor run their AC refrigerant lines through my garage?
No, you should not run refrigerant lines through your property. There are many reasons:
They will require access to the unit to repair lines.
A split system, like you are suggesting, has two lines, ...
- 2,163
41
votes
Would it be Code legal to have an all-240V house in the United States?
Such a fun question deserves an equally fun answer.
Sure you can! And there's a neat trick that will help with all those troublesome NEC 2014/17 rules: simply make sure to build this house in a ...
- 6,319
39
votes
Would it be Code legal to have an all-240V house in the United States?
Several have mentioned The required 120v circuits include 2 small appliances for kitchen counters, 1 for the laundry, 1 for the bathroom(s).
But I think the main problem you run into is 210.6.
210.6 ...
- 101k
38
votes
Accepted
Why do single electrical receptacles exist?
There are quite a few reasons to use a single receptacle instead of a duplex receptacle. A few that I know of:
Recessed for clock or behind a TV. In this case, it is sometimes easier to use with one ...
34
votes
Should my neighbor run their AC refrigerant lines through my garage?
Problems that come to mind:
Liability if you damage the lines.
Liability if the lines damage your property.
Access to the lines in the event of repair or replacement.
What if the property is sold and ...
- 22.7k
30
votes
Accepted
Are soldered electrical connections code-compliant?
There are better ways
A wide variety of reliable splice techniques now exist. The reason for soldering "back in the day" was that manufacturing wasn't really up to making "wire nuts" and "Alumiconns" ...
29
votes
Why do single electrical receptacles exist?
Single receptacles are used for reasons
Nobody installs one of these by mistake - they're a lot more expensive, to start with! When you find one, it has a specific purpose for being there because of ...
28
votes
How to safely and legally join building wire behind drywall
The "best way" is to replace all the damaged wire.
Either completely (from where it starts and ends now) or by adding two junction boxes (which must remain accessible) where you can join the ...
- 166k
25
votes
Accepted
Do new wire runs in an existing ceiling need to be stapled down?
If you are not removing more drywall than needed for the new recessed lights, then no per 334.30(B)(1) (assuming you are using NM cable). There are similar clauses for other flexible cable assemblies (...
- 5,197
25
votes
Why do electricians in some areas choose wire nuts over reusable terminal blocks like Wago offers?
The reason is inertia.
Wire nuts are easily available in stores. Everyone knows how to use them. Amateurs (homeowners) keep using wire nuts because they don't know of the existence of anything else ...
- 25.4k
24
votes
How is DIY done so much on 'fixer uppers' in areas where AHJs demand permits and licenses?
I will give you an honest answer and could care less about the upvotes/downvotes. Just my experience flipping houses in many US areas and even some overseas over 25 years.
First every municipality ...
- 47.1k
24
votes
Accepted
Can I legally add an outlet with 2 screws when the previous outlet was passthough with 4 screws?
Adding the short wire is called pigtails and it is code compliant so yes you can do this.
Pigtails are a superior way of making connections in my opinion. The pigtails do not add to the wire volume in ...
- 101k
24
votes
Accepted
Covering a former service panel turned junction box
Hang a nice picture over it. Easy. Cheap. No inspector can complain.
22
votes
Are soldered electrical connections code-compliant?
In the US, most places are subject to the NEC, here is article 110.14(B):
(B) Splices. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, ...
- 24.5k
22
votes
Can I legally add an outlet with 2 screws when the previous outlet was passthough with 4 screws?
The most important rule in NEC is 110.3(B), which requires you to follow labeling and instructions... which means read them.
In this case, that only makes things better, particularly the boldface in ...
22
votes
Accepted
Did I Make a Major Framing Mistake?
Oh jeez
Honestly you overthought all of this. This isn't a bad framing job but it certainly is odd. Why would you want to get rid of a foot of space everywhere. If you leave it like this you ...
- 47.1k
21
votes
Accepted
Considerations for hardwiring electronics project in wall
Not only will you need to get your local inspector's approval, in writing (and the inspector will defer to Underwriter's Laboratories or other NRTL, so we're talking about getting a UL listing for ...
20
votes
Accepted
Interpreting stair railing code
No. It's all or nothing. Imagine a visually-impaired person (or someone in the dark) coming down your stairs and the rail ends. What's the assumption? That they've reached the bottom. That can end ...
- 115k
19
votes
Can cable splice devices be concealed?
The use of these devices is limited to specific situations, which are described in 334.40(B) of the National Electrical Code. The 2011 version of the code had this to say.
National Electrical Code ...
- 130k
19
votes
Accepted
Do the quick connectors in my new bathroom fan need to be in a junction box?
All connections must be in a junction box. They're mentioned several times in the instruction manual.
Pull the wire through the hole and into the junction box (not
included). Using a quick ...
- 115k
19
votes
Can I use green wire in a residential wall box?
Green wire is perfectly legit. If you are really lazy or in a hurry you can even get pre-cut pre-stripped green grounding pigtails ready to go.
Ground is the only thing it can be used for, but "...
- 166k
18
votes
Can I cover an outlet with homemade 3D-printed covers?
They make "electrical outlet plug covers" for that purpose. They're cheap and available many places...I'd just get those.
If you're good with electrical and have a lot of time, you could go ...
- 491
18
votes
Accepted
Is there any way for a consumer to confirm that a device is actually UL listed?
Yes, UL has an online database that you can search: https://productiq.ulprospector.com/en/search
It helps to have the product’s UL file number (which should be on the product near the UL logo and/or ...
- 4,779
17
votes
Is this wiring safe and is it according to code?
There is one safety issue here
It appears that the original installer took the ground wire from the 12/3 cable, looped it around one switch ground screw, then attached it to the other switch ground ...
- 78k
17
votes
What NEC section, if any, covers an owner wiring their own home?
In general, the NEC (or any other code for that matter) specifies how the work must be done, but does not touch on who the work must be done by. The who is covered by local statutes (whether city, ...
- 8,714
17
votes
Do my exterior GFCI outlets really need to be on their own circuit?
A private buyer's inspector can write whatever they want. Some have a reputation for being minimalistic that gets them referrals from selling agents, some have a reputation for being "tigers&...
- 25.4k
17
votes
Accepted
Do I need to replace 14-Gauge Wire on 20-Amp Circuit?
Except when there is an actual danger right now (there isn't), the problem is always the future. It is extremely unlikely that any future homeowner or electrician doing additional work will notice the ...
16
votes
Is there any significance to a red machine screw?
Commonly used for "shipping screws" to be removed before turning an appliance on.
- 166k
15
votes
Is it permissible to have exposed mains conductors in holiday lights?
You are correct in assuming there should not be any live connections exposed in any situation. I suppose it should be said that this is a dangerous situation and could be fixed fairly easy with a set ...
15
votes
Did I Make a Major Framing Mistake?
Too much for a comment, so it's going as an answer.
There's nothing particularly magical about 16 inch on-center spacing for framing. It's not enshrined as gospel deep down in a building code, for ...
- 23.5k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible